50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DD News
Context: 25 June 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency (1975–77), prompting national reflection on its impact on India’s democracy and constitutional framework.
About 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency:
• What it is? The Emergency was declared under Article 352 on 25 June 1975, citing “internal disturbance”, suspending civil liberties and altering governance structures across India.
• The Emergency was declared under Article 352 on 25 June 1975, citing “internal disturbance”, suspending civil liberties and altering governance structures across India.
• Period: Lasted from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977.
• Events Leading to the Emergency:
• Growing unrest from student agitations, inflation, unemployment and corruption allegations. Major protests led by Jayaprakash Narayan (Total Revolution) across Bihar and Gujarat. Allahabad High Court (12 June 1975) convicted PM Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractice; calls for her resignation intensified.
• Growing unrest from student agitations, inflation, unemployment and corruption allegations.
• Major protests led by Jayaprakash Narayan (Total Revolution) across Bihar and Gujarat.
• Allahabad High Court (12 June 1975) convicted PM Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractice; calls for her resignation intensified.
• Key Events During the Emergency:
• Article 358 & 359 invoked — suspending Fundamental Rights (Articles 14, 19, 21, 22). Over 35,000 political prisoners detained under MISA. Severe media censorship enforced and newspapers and films tightly controlled. Sterilisation campaign: Over 1.07 crore procedures conducted (1975–77), with coercion reported. 42nd Constitutional Amendment: Strengthened executive, curtailed judicial review, extended Lok Sabha terms to 6 years.
• Article 358 & 359 invoked — suspending Fundamental Rights (Articles 14, 19, 21, 22).
• Over 35,000 political prisoners detained under MISA.
• Severe media censorship enforced and newspapers and films tightly controlled.
• Sterilisation campaign: Over 1.07 crore procedures conducted (1975–77), with coercion reported.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment: Strengthened executive, curtailed judicial review, extended Lok Sabha terms to 6 years.
• Post-Emergency Developments:
• Emergency ended in March 1977 after Congress party’s electoral defeat. Shah Commission (1977) exposed abuses — arbitrary arrests, forced sterilisation, media suppression. 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978): Tightened Emergency provisions — replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion”, restored judicial oversight.
• Emergency ended in March 1977 after Congress party’s electoral defeat.
• Shah Commission (1977) exposed abuses — arbitrary arrests, forced sterilisation, media suppression.
• 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978): Tightened Emergency provisions — replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion”, restored judicial oversight.