By The Sampadak Express
“Brothers and sisters, the President has declared a state of Emergency. There is no need to panic.”
These were the words of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, broadcast over All India Radio on the morning of June 26, 1975, announcing the imposition of Internal Emergency a day that would go down in Indian history as one of its darkest.
The announcement shocked the nation. Overnight, a vibrant democracy was turned into a silenced state where constitutional rights were suspended, media was muzzled, and dissent was crushed. What followed were 21 months of authoritarian rule that left an indelible scar on India’s democratic fabric.
The Rise of Indira Gandhi: From “Mute Doll” to “Goddess Durga”
After securing a landslide victory, Indira Gandhi became India’s first woman Prime Minister. Once dismissed by her critics as a “mute doll,” she was soon hailed as Durga and even Kali by her supporters after the 1971 war victory. But the same public that once revered her would later brand her as a tyrantespecially after the declaration of Emergency, which would remain a black mark on her political legacy.
The Allahabad High Court Verdict
The trigger for the Emergency came with a landmark judgment by the Allahabad High Court, which found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices. The case was filed by Raj Narain, a Socialist Party candidate who had lost the election to her. Although many charges were dismissed, the court ruled that Gandhi had misused government machinery during her campaign and barred her from contesting elections for six years.
Following the verdict, Indira was forced to resign. However, instead of stepping back, she called a meeting with her ministers. When they chanted, “India is Indira, and Indira is India,” her confidence surged. That night, a decision was made that would shake the very foundation of the Indian Republic.
The JP Movement: The Final Push
On the evening of June 25, 1975, Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan held a massive rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Ground, challenging the authority of Indira Gandhi and calling for non-violent resistance. His words energized a nation tired of inflation, corruption, and unemployment. He even called upon the police and army not to obey unjust government orders.
This act of civil courage rattled the corridors of power. Interpreting JP’s words as seditious, the government accused him of inciting rebellion. However, it later became clear that the decision to impose Emergency had already been made before the rally, and preparations were underway, including clearing space in Tihar Jail for mass arrests.
The Role of Sanjay Gandhi and the Power Struggle
While Indira held the official reins of power, it was her younger son Sanjay Gandhi who exercised tremendous unofficial control during the Emergency. The late-night move to impose Emergency saw Indira rushing to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she urged President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to sign the Emergency proclamation without consulting her Cabinet. When the President hesitated and asked if the Cabinet had been informed, she reportedly said it wasn’t necessary yet.
Two hours later, the draft was signed, and the Indian Republic slipped into darkness.
When Democracy Was Imprisoned
The signing of the Emergency proclamation led to the suspension of Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and liberty. Arrests began that very night, with leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan detained by 2 AM. Thousands of opposition leaders, journalists, activists, and even ordinary citizens were imprisoned. In Bihar alone, arrests were so rampant that jails ran out of space.
Shockingly, even Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet was unaware of the Emergency until the next morning, when an emergency meeting was convened. The Prime Minister made the announcement on All India Radio, declaring that the country was under Emergency to protect national interest.
Aftermath and Constitutional Safeguards
The Emergency lasted for 21 months, finally ending in March 1977 when fresh elections were held. Indira Gandhi and the Congress party suffered a humiliating defeat. Morarji Desai became Prime Minister and his government took steps to ensure that such misuse of power could never happen again.
The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution, which had curtailed judicial review, was revised. The 44th Amendment later added the phrase “armed rebellion” to the grounds for imposing Emergency preventing the use of vague terms like “internal disturbance” as justification.
A Cautionary Tale for Democracy
The Emergency period remains a stark reminder of how fragile democracy can be when power becomes absolute. It showed how a leader’s lust for power can override constitutional principles, and how institutions can crumble when individuals fail to stand up.
Even after five decades, June 26, 1975, is remembered not just as a historical date but as a warning. A warning to never let fear silence freedom. A warning that in a democracy, the people are sovereign not the ruler.
