Why was the Emergency imposed in 1975?

The Emergency imposed in India from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, remains one of the most controversial and defining episodes in the country’s post-independence history. Declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Emergency suspended civil liberties, censored the press, curtailed democratic institutions, and saw the arrest of political opponents.

While officially justified on grounds of internal security, a deeper look reveals a mix of political, legal, and personal motivations behind this dramatic move. Understanding why the Emergency was imposed requires examining the political climate, judicial developments, and the challenges faced by Indira Gandhi at the time.

By the mid-1970s, Indira Gandhi had been in power for nearly a decade. Though credited with bold decisions like the nationalization of banks and the 1971 victory in the Indo-Pak war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, her style of governance was becoming increasingly authoritarian. Economic problems were also mounting—high inflation, unemployment, food shortages, and industrial unrest led to public dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, political opposition to her rule was intensifying. Leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), a veteran freedom fighter, launched the “Total Revolution” movement in 1974, calling for sweeping reforms and the resignation of Indira Gandhi. The movement, particularly strong in Bihar and Gujarat, brought students, trade unions, and civil society together against the government. The country was witnessing mass rallies, strikes, and civil disobedience, threatening the political stability of the regime.

The immediate and direct trigger for the Emergency was a landmark judgment by the Allahabad High Court on June 12, 1975. In this case, Raj Narain, a socialist leader who had lost the 1971 Lok Sabha election to Indira Gandhi, accused her of electoral malpractice.

Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha of the Allahabad High Court ruled that Indira Gandhi had violated election laws by using government machinery during her campaign. The verdict declared her election invalid, barred her from holding elective office for six years, and effectively disqualified her from being Prime Minister.

This judgment shook the political foundations of the country. Indira Gandhi appealed to the Supreme Court, which granted a conditional stay, allowing her to remain Prime Minister but not vote or speak in Parliament until the final judgment.

The ruling not only humiliated her politically but also emboldened the opposition, which called for mass protests and her resignation. Faced with a threat to her position and power, Indira Gandhi chose to respond with drastic action.

On the night of June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi advised President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to declare a national Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing “internal disturbance” as the reason. The President signed the proclamation without delay.

That very night, opposition leaders across the country—including Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and L.K. Advani—were arrested. Censorship was imposed on the media, political organizations were banned or crippled, and democratic processes were effectively suspended.

Parliament passed constitutional amendments that concentrated power in the executive and insulated the Prime Minister’s decisions from judicial scrutiny. The Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) was used to detain thousands without trial.

While internal disturbance was the official justification, most historians and analysts agree that the Emergency was imposed primarily to safeguard Indira Gandhi’s political power. The Allahabad High Court verdict had made her position untenable, and the rising tide of opposition threatened her legitimacy.

The Emergency allowed her to silence dissent, suppress political opposition, and rule by decree. Her son, Sanjay Gandhi, played a powerful and controversial role during this period, implementing aggressive and unpopular programs like forced sterilizations and slum demolitions.

In essence, the Emergency was a pre-emptive strike against democratic institutions to protect the Prime Minister’s authority under the pretext of national security.

Initially, some sections of society, including industrialists and the urban middle class, supported the Emergency due to improved discipline, reduction in strikes, and lower crime. However, as repression grew—press freedom curtailed, civil rights suspended, and fear spread—disillusionment set in.

Even many within the Congress Party began to question the authoritarian drift. The Emergency period is now widely regarded as a dark chapter in Indian democracy, where rule of law was suspended and the Constitution was misused for personal gain.

In early 1977, perhaps misreading public sentiment, Indira Gandhi called for general elections. To everyone’s surprise, the Congress Party was decisively defeated, and the Janata Party, a coalition of opposition forces, came to power. It was the first time the Congress had lost a general election since independence.

The new government repealed many of the Emergency-era laws and restored democratic institutions. The experience led to important constitutional safeguards, such as the 44th Amendment, which made it harder for future governments to declare an Emergency.

The Emergency of 1975 was a watershed moment in Indian political history. It exposed the fragility of democratic institutions, the dangers of unchecked executive power, and the critical role of a vigilant judiciary and press. While India emerged stronger from the crisis, the scars remain—a reminder of how quickly democratic norms can be eroded when power is placed above the people.