Emergency of 1975 in India and Emergency as a Way of Life.

 I am writing on this subject at this time and this is due for some time. Today happens to be the day when emergency was officially declared in 1975 on June 25, and remained in effect until its withdrawal on March 21, 1977. Every Indian of yesteryear knows the magnitude of this act and the perils it brought to the democracy in the nation. It is very important to understand it in present context and move ahead. The steps taken by our ancestors, keeping in mind the interests of the nation, will have its bearing on the future of the country. After nearly 50 years, one can definitely feel for the nation during those tough two years when everyone has to endure out of normal circumstances all around. While it is definitely most interesting what lead to the decision of imposing emergency on the nation, the fact remains that it has been imposed by the highest office to defeat the stark realities and an attempt to revolutionize the nation from the most powerful position. There is a need to look at the tall order on its anniversary due to its relevance to the nation in present times. 

The Emergency in India was a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had a state of emergency declared across the country. Because of prevailing "internal disturbance", President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed officially issued under Article 352 of the Constitution, the Emergency was in effect from 25 June 1975 and ended on 21 March 1977. There are several nuances to understanding the context of the Emergency coming into effect – but it is more profound, abstract than what is visible, apparent and heralded in the society. Some say those are the dark days for the nation but there is a need to look at the bright intention behind it. The word emergency and the imminent effect it brought on the ground are varied in layers. For instance, emergency is declared but is there emergency on the ground. It does not translate literally but there are actions taken by union government in ‘urgency’ to restrict the rights of individuals. We need to look at it on both sides and in some detail.

The decision to impose the Emergency in India in 1975 was taken by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her government. The government justified its decision by claiming that there was a threat of destabilization and a breakdown of law and order in the country. It argued that extremist groups, political agitators, and opposition parties were inciting violence and creating a state of turmoil, which necessitated the suspension of certain civil liberties and the concentration of power in the hands of the government. The politico-economic situation including the recently concluded war with Pakistan, the 1973 oil crisis and the drought in the country, did everything to creating conditions perfect for Gandhi’s proclamation. Steeped in the urgent need for economic development, weary after two wars, Gandhi looked up to Emergency as a means to myriad challenges of the nation, her own troubling situation to status quo, concentration of power and stifle voice of dissenting opposition. Her authoritarian stance was aided by her charismatic appeal, particularly among the middle class and the economically downtrodden who considered her to be the one who could rescue them from their economic problems.

 

One of the key triggers for the Emergency was the court case against Indira Gandhi known as the "Raj Narain case." The case stemmed from allegations of electoral malpractices during the 1971 general elections. In June 1975, the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of using corrupt practices in her election campaign. The court declared her election to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) null and void, and she was barred from holding any public office for six years. 

The verdict led to widespread demands for her resignation and intensified protests and demonstrations across the country. Faced with mounting political opposition and internal strife, Indira Gandhi's government took the decision to declare a state of emergency. The government argued that the Emergency was necessary to restore stability, combat political unrest, and safeguard the nation's security.

 

Emergency, however, was viewed by everyone as negative and there is a great degree of negative connotation to the days of emergency. Everyone voiced the days as fearful, nightmarish and a huge mistake on the part of authority. The prominent narrative in the country was to denounce emergency in its action. Without much surprise, Indira Gandhi lost her election immediately after emergency, a testament to its unpopular democratic appeal and failure of acceptance. The most prominent aspects of the Emergency period include media censorship, arbitrary arrests, suspension of elections, forced sterilizations, and curtailment of civil liberties. Carrying out mass arrests of ministers, prominent opposition members and have complete control over what the media published was also the norm. The imposition of Emergency sparked intense public outrage and opposition from various sections of society, leading to a vibrant pro-democracy movement.

 

While the narrative is definitely negative for days of emergency in India, there is a need to look at greater intentions behind the move. While we should not go by negative shades of emergency, there is a need to look at emergency in literal sense and absorb it into the Indian way of living. In literal sense means, we need to show a sense of urgency in our actions to become a fruitful nation. For instance, I came to U.S. and there is a burning desire in everyone who sees me to follow suit. If there is an opportunity, everyone has a burning desire to move to a developed nation and improve their lives. But to achieve contention in home nation, achieve great living standards in home nation, to bring development to India, to stop feeling bad about oneself, there is a tremendous need to normalize and democratize urgency and adopt it into our way of living. India certainly evolves by showing a sense of urgency. You create tremendous positive impact when you work with urgency. You can elevate the plane of your living, transform the face of the nation and show a path to the world when there is a revolution to bring urgency in our lives. This is the revolution which is required for the nation and can bring a positive change, upliftment to it.

 

Preach only what you practice – I lead a life of emergency for the interest of the nation and if the nation as a whole needs to be risen from the slumber and stand tall, there is need from most of the country men to follow suit. I am preaching what I practised intensely for the last year in U.S. and in similar lines back in India as well. I lead a life of soldier to be on duty day in and day out, forgetting the previous day, always living in the present day and to have a great day. I am sometimes amazed by everyone who wishes me great day ahead in U.S. since it is very much relevant to me. To say it less, if emergency has a synonym, it would be me. This very person is the manifestation of what the great leaders of yesteryear have dreamt of, to bring good for the country. Now, it is the time to make it a national routine and incorporate the urgency into the way of living.

 

Those in power will be looked into what they did to lift the plane of trajectory of the nation. Indira Gandhi, being a woman statesman, spectacularly falls into this rare niche category of bringing upon an important event in the history of nation. The dark days, even if experienced for the transient moment are meant to usher in bright days in the future. We need to go through the dark days with a hope for a brighter future.