The biggest attack on democracy took place in India when emergency was imposed in the country. Emergency is the black chapter in the history of Indian Democracy that happened with the drastic decision of Indira Gandhi. ‘The Emergency’ alludes to a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977. It was formally issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution since of the prevailing ‘internal disturbance’. It reminds of a bitter memory that haunts the Congress party indeed to this day. It is presently 46 years since the imposition of that ’emergency’ that deprived the individuals of their freedom and rights. The decisions taken by Indira Gandhi in order to hold her power made the life of the people so frightening. Everyone at that time was shaken by the dictatorship and the dark period continued for 21 months. Indira Gandhi abrogated all fundamental rights, imposed censorship on the press, and imprisoned political opponents and millions more who experienced torment within the jails.

When the Congress party won the general election in 1971 they bagged the secularist status by nationalizing the banks. Indira Gandhi has become the Prime Minister and the government was once again formed with a huge majority. She played a major role in the formation of Bangladesh (war with Pakistan) and emerged as an unprecedented leader. She was hailed as an ephemeral incarnation by those who criticized her. It was during this time that the image of Indira as a goongy gudia (dumb doll) was removed, and she became the most powerful woman as Goddess Durgamatha, the Iron Lady.

But for how long their masks could have been survived! Just after four years, the story changed totally with increment in a dry spell and unemployment within the nation, industrial improvement is weak that touched off flares of discontent among individuals from all walks of life. Within the wake of these developments, it appears that the state of emergency has really been imposed since midnight on June 25. The Allahabad High Court’s verdict that Indira Gandhi’s decision as an MP was invalid in expansion to the conditions within the nation had played a key part within the imposition of the Emergency.

Within the 1971 elections, Indira Gandhi contested Rae Bareilly and the United Socialist Party fielded Raj Narayan as its candidate. He, however, approached the Allahabad High Court affirming that Indira had utilized her position amid the election and committed inconsistencies to win elections. The order was passed by High Court Judge Justice Jagmohan Lal Sinha on June 12, 1975. Indira Gandhi was charged with mishandling power by hindering the government machinery amid the elections. In this context, the election of Indira Gandhi was canceled. She was ruled out of the election for another six years. This made conditions for Indira to step down as Prime Minister.

In this context, Indira Gandhi organized an emergency assembly at the then Prime Minister’s official residence at 1 Safdarjang Street. She inquired her steadfast pioneers and near associates to grant her instructions. Then Indira’s child Sanjay Gandhi told her to move the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict and the Supreme Court ruled that Indira may proceed as Prime Minister following the rules. In any case, it clarified that her election as an MP was invalid until the final decision. This has driven to anti-Indira protests across the nation. Within the wake of these advancements, Indira Gandhi asked then President Fakhruddin Ali Mohammed to sign the Emergency Statement in view of the inner agitation.

With his endorsement, a decision was taken to impose a state of emergency on June 25 under Article 352 (1) of the Structure of India. Opposition pioneers Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, and Morarji Desai were arrested in this association. In expansion, different pioneers and senior journalists over the nation including 11 lakh individuals were imprisoned. In the same way, freedom of expression was curtailed and all groups persecuted. Magazines and media were censored; human rights infringement has taken place on an expansive scale. This order was met with furious restriction from the people towards Indira Gandhi government. Talking on the radio to the individuals of the nation, she defended herself for imposing the emergency within the wake of tricks against the government. Expanding the emergency four times at the rate of six months, she, at last, lifted it on March 21, 1977.