Question

Explain any four consequences of the Emergency imposed in 1975.

Hint:

Four major outcomes of the 1975 Emergency: 1. Arrests under preventive detention (MISA) & suspended fundamental rights. 2. Strict press censorship. 3. Extra-constitutional excesses (forced sterilization slum clearances). 4. Victory of Janata Party in 1977 elections.

Answer 1

Concept: On 25th June 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared a state of internal Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, suspending democratic processes for nearly 21 months.

Step 1: Suspension of Fundamental Rights and Preventive Detentions.
Fundamental Rights of citizens were suspended. Oppositions political leaders, activists, and dissidents were arrested without trial under harsh preventive detention laws like MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act).

Step 2: Press Censorship and Curb on Free Speech.
The government imposed strict press censorship. Newspapers were required to obtain prior approval before publishing news articles. Protesting newspapers like *The Indian Express* and *Statesman* left blank spaces in editorial columns to mark protest.

Step 3: Excessive Use of Power and Extra-Constitutional Influence.
Extra-constitutional centers of power emerged (notably under Sanjay Gandhi), leading to forced sterilizations (family planning drives) and large-scale slum demolitions in Delhi (Turkman Gate incident) without proper rehabilitation.

Step 4: Realignment of Opposition Parties and Electoral Defeat of Congress.
The Emergency united fragmented opposition parties. In 1977, major opposition groups merged to form the Janata Party. In the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party suffered a crushing defeat, and the first non-Congress government was formed at the Center under Morarji Desai.