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Key Points

Survivors recount the trauma of Indira Gandhi's Emergency, from midnight arrests to forced sterilisations. The BJP marks 50 years since the dark period, calling it a betrayal of democracy. Stories of underground resistance and censorship highlight the era's brutality. Many still carry the scars of those 20 oppressive months.

Key Points: Emergency Victims Recall Indira Gandhi's 1975 Dark Chapter

  • Victims detail unlawful arrests and year-long detentions
  • Forced sterilisations targeted students and govt employees
  • Underground newspapers defied censorship
  • BJP observes 50 years as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'
3 min read

50 years: Emergency was a black chapter in Indian democracy, recall victims

Victims share harrowing memories of forced sterilisations, unlawful arrests, and censorship during Indira Gandhi's 1975 Emergency as BJP marks 50 years.

"It was complete 'tandav'... a dark, distressing era – Harish, Emergency survivor"

New Delhi, June 25

As the BJP marks the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, several victims of the 20-month-long authoritarian period shared their painful memories with IANS — from unlawful arrests to forced sterilisations and systemic harassment.

Harish, a resident of Delhi, remembers the chilling night of June 25, 1975. “We were returning from Ramlila Maidan after listening to Jayaprakash Narayan’s speech. Around 2:30 A.M., nearly 20 police personnel were standing outside our home,” he said. “My father was picked up and taken to the police station. We thought he’d be released in a day or two, but he was locked up for a year. We weren’t even allowed to meet him.”

Harish recalled the chaos that gripped Delhi. “It was complete 'tandav'. Congress leaders like Ambika Soni, Lalit Makan along with Rukhsana Sultana were getting people sterilised. Even students weren’t spared. It was a dark, distressing era,” he added.

K.L. Malya, another victim, was working at a bank when Emergency was imposed. “I was suspended for organising a Satyagraha as part of the RSS. I was jailed in Bengaluru for a year,” he said.

“We ran underground newspapers to fight against censorship. Many families lost their livelihoods. My engagement had just taken place. Still, I got support from my family, who had long been associated with the Sangh.”

Pawan Bansal recounted the horrors of forced sterilisations. “People were picked up indiscriminately and sterilised. Young men, government employees — no one was spared. Those who refused had their promotions stalled or were sacked. It was worse than the British rule,” he said.

“Sanjay Gandhi rose to prominence, roaming the streets in an open jeep. Rukhsana Sultana and Ambika Soni accompanied him. Houses were demolished at will. What should never have happened, happened", he added.

Sudhir Madan was attending a 30-day RSS camp in Rohtak when Emergency was declared. “We had completed 27 days when we heard the news. We didn’t even understand what ‘Emergency’ meant back then. Soon, many of our workers were jailed and tortured for resisting,” he said.

On March 21, 1977, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi revoked the Emergency. The subsequent elections witnessed a massive political shift.

On Wednesday, the BJP is observing the day as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ across Delhi and other states, calling it a commemoration of democracy's darkest hour. Posters across the national Capital serve as stark reminders of the period many still recall with pain and fear.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is why we must never take our democracy for granted. The Emergency showed how easily rights can be snatched away. My grandfather was a government clerk who faced threats for refusing sterilization. We need to teach this history to younger generations. 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
While we must remember this dark chapter, I wish political parties wouldn't use it just for point-scoring. The real tribute would be ensuring such authoritarianism never returns - from any party. The forced sterilizations were especially horrific and violated basic human dignity.
A
Amit S.
My father was in college during Emergency. He tells stories of how students would whisper news to each other because newspapers were censored. The underground press was truly heroic! We need more movies/documentaries on this period - it's fading from public memory.
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Neha T.
The sterilization horrors make my blood boil! 😠 How could any government treat its own citizens like cattle? This wasn't just political repression - it was a complete breakdown of humanity. We must ensure such violations never happen again, regardless of which party is in power.
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Vikram J.
Interesting how the article mentions RSS workers' experiences but not Left activists who also suffered. The Emergency affected everyone who valued democracy. We should honor all victims equally, not just those from certain political backgrounds.
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Sunita R.
My mother still gets emotional talking about this period. She was a young bride then - says the fear was palpable in every neighborhood. People disappeared overnight. We must protect our constitutional rights fiercely. Democracy isn't just elections, it's everyday freedoms.

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