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Key Points

Former MPs and MLAs recount the horrors of Indira Gandhi's Emergency, calling it a dark chapter for democracy. Leaders like LK Advani and student activists faced torture and imprisonment while media faced strict censorship. The Congress party has never apologized for the excesses committed during this period. The Emergency's legacy continues to spark political debates even 50 years later.

Key Points: Ex-MPs Recall Indira Gandhi's Emergency as Darkest Democracy Chapter

  • Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency after election nullification
  • Opposition leaders like LK Advani jailed for 21 months
  • Media censored, student activists tortured
  • Congress never apologized for Emergency excesses
3 min read

Entire nation became jail: Ex-MPs, MLAs recall horror of Emergency

Former MPs and MLAs share chilling accounts of arrests, repression, and media blackouts during Indira Gandhi's 1975 Emergency.

"The entire country turned into a jail – Anand Mohan, Ex-MP"

New Delhi, June 25

As India marks 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency on June 25, 1975, former parliamentarians, leaders, and officials who were jailed or forced underground during the 21 months have come forward with chilling recollections of state repression, political arrests, and the stifling of civil liberties.

Former MP Anand Mohan, from Bihar, described the Emergency as a “dark chapter” in Indian democracy.

“Indira Gandhi, though known as the Iron Lady, made a historic blunder by declaring an Emergency. She was terrified after the Allahabad High Court invalidated her election. The entire country turned into a jail,” he said.

He added that despite the arrests of top opposition leaders, the Congress was wiped out in North India in the next elections.

Former MLA from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Surendra Pratap Singh, who spent 19 months in jail under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), recounted, “On June 25, 1975, Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency to save her chair after her election was nullified. Lakhs were thrown into jails. Even newspapers published blacked-out front pages. Students and youth were arrested overnight. I was a student union leader and spent one month in Jaunpur jail before being shifted to Naini jail in Allahabad.”

P.V. Krishna Bhat, Chancellor of Central University, Odisha, recalled how Jayaprakash Narayan started the anti-Emergency movement. He said, “When the Emergency was imposed, JP gave the call. The movement began in Gujarat, then Bihar, and soon covered the country. I dodged police for months before finally surrendering. I was jailed for 21 months.”

Former Lalit Kala Akademi Chairperson Krishna Shetty, a student leader then, recounted the times when activism was considered a sin. He was also put in jail for opposing the order.

He said, “Indira Gandhi panicked. Senior leaders were arrested overnight. I was jailed with L.K. Advani in Bellary and Bangalore. We smuggled a camera and a transistor into prison. The images of the Emergency that you see today, many were taken by me. We were tortured, but we stood firm.”

Economic thinker Swaminathan Gurumurthy added, “Congress has never apologised. Rahul Gandhi must realise that the Constitution he holds was dismantled by his grandmother and reclaimed by the people.”

He said that the Congress party must be held accountable and asked to apologise for the Emergency, something that has not happened to this day.

"In fact, Rajiv Gandhi once publicly stated that they would impose the Emergency again. Second, Rahul Gandhi must acknowledge that the Constitution he held up is not the one his grandmother enacted; it is the one his mother undermined and which was later restored by the people of India. These facts must be acknowledged. That is why I say Rahul Gandhi should be thanked for reigniting the debate on the Emergency, hence the observance of Constitution Hatya Day," he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is why we must never take our democracy for granted. The Emergency was indeed a black spot on our history. My grandfather used to tell me stories of how people whispered in fear during those days. We need to educate our youth about this period so history doesn't repeat itself. 🙏
P
Priya M.
While the Emergency was wrong, let's not forget the context - political instability, economic challenges, and the Allahabad HC verdict. This doesn't justify it, but we should learn balanced lessons from history rather than just point fingers. Every party has made mistakes.
A
Amit S.
The courage shown by JP and others during Emergency is inspiring! Today's youth don't realize how lucky we are to speak freely. My father was a college student then - he tells me how they used to distribute underground pamphlets at midnight. Real patriots! 🇮🇳
S
Sunita R.
Why is Congress still not apologizing? If they want to claim the moral high ground today, they should first acknowledge their past mistakes. It's shocking that some leaders still defend the Emergency as 'necessary'! Democracy is our greatest treasure.
V
Vikram J.
The photos smuggled out of jail tell the real story. We need more such documentation to be made public. Young Indians should see what happens when fundamental rights are suspended. This is why we must always protect our Constitution.
N
Neha P.
While we remember the Emergency, let's also acknowledge how India bounced back stronger. The 1977 elections showed the power of democracy. But we must remain vigilant - authoritarian tendencies can emerge in any party if we're not careful.

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