The JP Movement and the Emergency: Indian Democracy Tested

Learning Outcomes

1. Grasp the socio-political crisis in India leading to the Emergency of 1975.
2. Understand the dynamics of the JP Movement and its objectives.
3. Analyze the legitimacy and consequences of the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi.
4. Explore the public response and eventual end of the Emergency.
5. Examine the role of democracy during the crisis and its subsequent restoration.

The Pre-Emergency Crises

By early 1973, Indira Gandhi’s popularity had begun to decline as expectations remained unmet, with no significant reduction in rural or urban poverty. The economic situation worsened with recession, growing unemployment, rampant inflation, and scarcity of foodstuffs creating a grave crisis. Key factors contributing to this were:

1. The economic burden of feeding and sheltering nearly 10 million refugees from Bangladesh.
2. The Bangladesh war led to a large budgetary deficit, draining foreign exchange reserves.
3. Monsoon failures in 1972 and 1973 caused severe drought, power shortages, and industrial recession.
4. The 1973 oil shock quadrupled global oil prices, deepening the crisis.
5. A continuous rise in prices, by 22% in 1972-73, severely affected both poor and middle-class populations.

Widespread economic difficulties led to strikes and industrial unrest, culminating in an all-India railway strike in May 1974. Law and order deteriorated further with student protests, strikes, and violent demonstrations across the country.

Indira Gandhi’s government faced multiple challenges:

1. The Provincial Armed Constabulary mutiny in Uttar Pradesh in May 1973 resulted in violent clashes and deaths.
2. Corruption allegations, including those involving her son, Sanjay Gandhi‘s controversial license to manufacture Maruti cars, affected her reputation.

Important Note: The decline of the Congress party’s ability to handle the crisis was exacerbated by the detachment of key social groups such as the middle classes, the rich peasantry, and capitalists from Congress. While the poor remained passively supportive, these groups turned against Gandhi, contributing to the destabilization of the political system.

Gujarat and Bihar Unrest

Two significant movements erupted against Congress governments in Gujarat and Bihar, with Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) leading the Bihar movement. The Gujarat agitation, triggered by rising prices, led to:

1. An extended period of strikes, looting, and riots in the cities and towns.
2. The imposition of President’s Rule after prolonged chaos.
3. The dissolution of the Gujarat Assembly and the announcement of fresh elections by Indira Gandhi.

Inspired by Gujarat, a similar movement began in Bihar in March 1974, marked by:

1. Violent student protests and clashes with the police, resulting in several deaths.
2. Jayaprakash Narayan’s leadership of the Bihar movement, calling for a “Total Revolution.”
3. JP’s demand for the resignation of the Bihar government, establishing parallel people’s governments, and refusing to pay taxes.

The JP Movement

The JP Movement sought to address the broader issue of corruption in Indian politics and governance. Key aspects of the movement included:

1. Accusations that Indira Gandhi was attempting to establish a dictatorship, undermining democratic institutions.
2. JP’s demand for Total Revolution, though his ideas were vague and often seen as nebulous.

The movement’s goals and composition were complex:

1. The movement attracted diverse political groups—from the communal Jan Sangh to the extreme left Naxalite groups—united only by their opposition to Indira Gandhi.
2. Over time, the movement became dominated by the RSS-Jan Sangh, shifting its focus from policy change to the removal of Indira Gandhi.

Important Note: Despite JP’s integrity and democratic ideals, his critique of parliamentary democracy and ambiguous stance on political alternatives fostered an environment conducive to authoritarianism. This created a political climate that could potentially harbor fascist elements.

The Allahabad Judgement

On June 12, 1975, a judgment by Justice Sinha of the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi’s election to Parliament invalid due to corrupt practices. This judgment:

1. Invalidated her election and barred her from holding office for six years.
2. Resulted in a series of legal appeals, with the Supreme Court allowing her to remain in office temporarily without voting rights.

The judgment, coupled with poor results for Congress in the Gujarat assembly elections, reinvigorated the Opposition’s demand for Indira Gandhi’s resignation.

JP and his supporters were not content to wait for the results of the Supreme Court appeal or the upcoming general elections in 1976. A massive civil disobedience campaign was planned, culminating in a proposed gherao of the Prime Minister’s residence.

The Declaration of Emergency

Indira Gandhi’s immediate response to the growing political challenge was the declaration of an Internal Emergency on June 26, 1975. The Emergency:

1. Suspended civil liberties and Fundamental Rights, imposing strict censorship on the press.
2. Led to the arrest of hundreds of Opposition leaders under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), including Jayaprakash Narayan and Morarji Desai.
3. Banned extreme communal and ultra-left organizations such as the RSS and Jamaat-i-Islami.

The JP Movement’s Flaws

The JP Movement, while aimed at addressing corruption and authoritarianism, had several critical flaws:

1. JP’s ideology lacked clarity, with his concepts of partyless democracy and Total Revolution remaining undefined.
2. The movement relied heavily on communal and neo-fascist elements, particularly the RSS-Jan Sangh, which led to a shift in its character from reformist to anti-Indira.

The movement’s methods, including calls for the resignation of elected governments and incitement to rebellion among the army and police, were seen as extra-constitutional and undemocratic.

Public Response to the Emergency

Initially, the public responded with passivity or even support, as many welcomed the restoration of law and order, reduced crime, and the decline of strikes and protests. The positive impacts of the Emergency included:

1. Improved public order and discipline.
2. A dramatic improvement in the economy, partly due to prior policies and excellent rains.
3. The announcement of the Twenty-Point Programme aimed at socio-economic reforms for the rural poor.

However, over time, disillusionment with the Emergency grew. Key reasons included:

1. Economic difficulties resumed with rising prices and unsustainable growth.
2. Corruption returned, and the slow progress of welfare measures disenchanted the poor.
3. The rise of an extra-constitutional center of power around Sanjay Gandhi, who pushed for harsh measures like compulsory sterilization and slum clearance.

Surprise Elections in 1977

On January 18, 1977, Indira Gandhi unexpectedly announced elections for March 1977, lifted press censorship, and released political prisoners. The election results were a landslide victory for the Opposition, with both Indira and Sanjay Gandhi losing their seats.

Important Note: The decision to hold elections has been interpreted in various ways—some see it as Indira Gandhi’s commitment to democracy, others believe she misread public sentiment or sought to legitimize the Emergency through electoral victory.

The Emergency’s Legacy

The Emergency of 1975-1977 was a crucial test for Indian democracy. While it revealed the vulnerabilities within the system, it also demonstrated the resilience of democratic values. The restoration of free elections in 1977 and the rejection of authoritarianism by the Indian people reaffirmed India’s commitment to democratic governance.

Multiple Choice Question

What was one of the key reasons for the initial public support of the Emergency?

• A) Widespread democratic reforms
• B) Suspension of economic crises
• C) Improved public order and discipline
• D) Total abolition of poverty

Answer: C) Improved public order and discipline.

Response** | Initially supportive but waning | Initial passivity, later disillusionment |