The Crisis of Democratic Order

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the key reasons behind the Emergency imposition in India between 1975 and 1977.
2. Recognize the economic and political triggers contributing to the internal disturbances during the period.
3. Analyze the constitutional and political consequences of the Emergency on the democratic setup.
4. Assess the lessons learned for the future of Indian democracy.

Background to Emergency

The years leading to the Emergency were marked by political turmoil, constitutional conflict, and increasing economic distress. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi emerged as a strong leader after the 1971 elections. However, this period saw tensions rise between the government and the judiciary, leading to significant changes in Indian politics.

1. Judiciary vs. Government: Indira Gandhi’s government frequently clashed with the Supreme Court, with the judiciary opposing various policies that violated constitutional principles.
2. Party Polarization: The split in the Congress party exacerbated political rivalries, especially between Indira Gandhi and her detractors, leading to heightened personalization of power.
3. Opposition Allegations: Non-Congress parties, led by Morarji Desai and others, accused the Prime Minister of transforming governmental authority into personal dominance, challenging the democratic norms of the time.

Important Note: The Congress’s stance during this period was that the judiciary, perceived as conservative, was blocking the implementation of pro-poor welfare programs—a claim hotly debated by opposition parties.

Economic Challenges

The socio-economic environment played a critical role in the emergence of political instability and unrest.

1. Garibi Hatao: Despite the slogan promising to eliminate poverty, conditions worsened after the Bangladesh crisis of 1971. Inflation skyrocketed, particularly in 1973 and 1974, putting immense pressure on the Indian economy.
2. Inflation: Rising oil prices contributed to a 23% price hike in 1973 and a staggering 30% in 1974, which led to widespread dissatisfaction among both urban and rural populations.
3. Unemployment: Unemployment was rampant, especially in rural India, exacerbated by failed monsoons and the resulting agricultural crises.
4. Protests: Economic hardship fueled student unrest, especially in Gujarat and Bihar, where major protests erupted against corruption and rising prices.

Gujarat and Bihar Movements

Student-led movements in these states became the epicenter of opposition against the Congress-led government.

1. Gujarat Agitations: In 1974, student protests against price hikes and corruption led to widespread unrest. This resulted in President’s rule and eventually the defeat of the Congress party in the Gujarat Assembly elections.
2. Bihar Protests: Also in 1974, Bihar students, under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), protested corruption, food scarcity, and unemployment. JP’s call for total revolution broadened the movement beyond regional issues, attracting national attention.

Naxalite Movement

The late 1960s saw the rise of Maoist (Marxist-Leninist) groups, especially the Naxalite Movement, which became increasingly prominent in West Bengal and other states.

1. Origins: The movement began in 1967 with a peasant uprising in the Naxalbari region. Advocates of violent revolution, these groups sought to overthrow the capitalist system and the government.
2. Expansion: Despite strong governmental suppression, Naxalite influence grew, particularly among disenfranchised and marginalized populations.
3. Government Response: The government responded with stringent measures, often violating constitutional norms, a point of criticism for human rights activists.

Important Concept: The Naxalite movement continues to affect various districts across multiple states, particularly where tribal and marginalized communities face severe social and economic disparities.

The Road to Emergency

Several high-profile incidents between 1973 and 1975 pushed the country closer to an authoritarian response, culminating in the declaration of Emergency in June 1975.

1. Railway Strike of 1974: Led by George Fernandes, the nationwide railway strike demanding bonus payments and better conditions for workers threatened to paralyze the country’s economy.
2. Conflict with Judiciary: The government’s repeated conflicts with the judiciary over fundamental rights, particularly regarding property rights and constitutional amendments, escalated with the Kesavananda Bharati case, which set limits on parliamentary powers.
3. Indira Gandhi’s Election: In June 1975, the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha invalid due to election malpractices. This ruling set the stage for a broader political confrontation.

Imposition of Emergency

The government responded to growing unrest and threats to its authority with the imposition of a state of Emergency.

1. Declaration: On June 25, 1975, the government invoked Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbances as the reason for the Emergency.
2. Power Concentration: The Emergency concentrated powers in the hands of the Union Government, suspending the federal structure and curtailing Fundamental Rights, including freedom of speech and the press.
3. Crackdown: Opposition leaders were arrested, press freedom was curtailed through censorship, and strikes and protests were banned, effectively silencing political dissent.

Consequences of Emergency

The Emergency marked a significant shift in the political and social landscape of India.

1. Press Censorship: The freedom of the press was heavily restricted. Newspapers were censored, and blank spaces were left to protest against the restrictions, later banned by the government.
2. Preventive Detention: The government used preventive detention laws extensively, detaining over 100,000 political opponents and citizens without trial.
3. Suspension of Fundamental Rights: Citizens could no longer seek judicial protection for their rights, as the Supreme Court upheld the government’s actions during the Emergency.

Key Impacts on Politics

The Emergency had profound and lasting effects on India’s political structure and the public perception of governance.

1. Public Dissent: Though initially subdued, underground movements, publications, and protests persisted despite government censorship. Prominent writers and journalists returned state honors in protest.
2. Constitutional Changes: The 42nd Amendment further altered the Constitution, extending the duration of legislatures and curtailing judicial review, making elections more susceptible to delay.

Important Note: These changes led to significant criticism, not only from political opponents but also from legal and social circles, questioning the future of democracy in India.

Aftermath of the Emergency

When the Emergency ended in 1977, it left a lasting imprint on Indian politics and governance.

1. 1977 Elections: The 1977 Lok Sabha elections turned into a referendum on the Emergency, with the newly formed Janata Party sweeping the polls in northern India, decisively defeating the Congress.
2. Public Sentiment: Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi lost their seats, and the Congress faced one of its most significant electoral defeats, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi.
3. Formation of the Janata Government: The Janata Party, led by Morarji Desai, formed the government. However, internal divisions within the party soon led to its downfall.

MCQ: Which constitutional article was invoked to declare the Emergency in 1975?
Answer: Article 352.

Lessons for Indian Democracy

The Emergency, while an authoritarian episode, reinforced several key principles and lessons for the future of India’s democracy.

1. Resilience of Democracy: Despite the authoritarian measures, India’s democracy resumed functioning relatively quickly, and subsequent amendments ensured better safeguards.
2. Civil Liberties: The Emergency highlighted the importance of civil liberties, leading to a heightened awareness and protection of individual rights in the post-Emergency period.
3. Mass Movements: It underscored the need to balance institutional democracy with the freedom for mass protests, a tension that continues to define Indian politics today.

Political Legacy

The political crisis of 1975-1977 reshaped India’s political landscape in several ways.

1. Rise of Regional Powers: The Congress’s defeat in 1977 opened the door for the rise of regional parties and the realignment of political forces, particularly in the north.
2. Backlash Against Authoritarianism: The severe public reaction against the Emergency reinforced the importance of constitutional checks on the executive.

Comparison Table of Impact Before and After Emergency:

Press** | Free but vulnerable | Stronger emphasis on press freedom |
| Public Opinion | Growing dissent | Democratic resurgence in 1977 elections |

By 1980, Indira Gandhi had returned to power, but the Janata experiment had left an indelible mark on the political consciousness of the nation. This period serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding constitutional freedoms.