The Indian Emergency (1975-77) is a 18-month period between 1975 and 1977, when President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, upon advice by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, declared a state of emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution of India, effectively bestowing her the power to rule by decree, suspending elections and civil liberties. It is one of the most controversial periods in the history of independent India.
Reason:
RAJ Narain was defeated in parliamentary election, lodged cases of election fraud - use of state machinery for election purposes on Mrs Gandhi in Allahabad High Court. On June 12, 1975, Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha of the Allahabad High Court found the Prime Minister guilty on the charge of misuse of government machinery for her election campaign.The court declared her election null and void and unseated her from her seat in Lok Sabha.The court also banned her from contesting any election for an additional six years.
The Times described it as 'firing the Prime Minister for a traffic ticket'. However, strikes in labor and trade unions, student unions and government unions swept across the country. Protests led by Narayan and Morarji Desai flooded the streets of Delhi close to the Parliament building and the PM's residence.
The Government cited threats to national security, as a recent war with Pakistan had just been concluded. The strikes and protests had paralyzed the government and hurt the economy of the country greatly. Indira herself had the right to appeal to the Supreme Court of India and had no legal obligation to resign until then.
J.P. Narayan, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, Jivatram Kripalani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and other protest leaders were immediately arrested. Organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and opposition political parties were banned. My maternal uncle who belonged to RSS was also arrested . At that time my mom had me floating in her womb. My mom used to visit my uncle (her brother) in jail and my uncle used to say that Lord Krishna (Hindu God & King of Mathura) was Born in Jail and he established Dharma!!. He wished to see similarities that If i were born in jail (if it all my mom delivered me in one of her visits), then I would grow up like Krishna to usher a new era... but i was born in Neyveli and not in a jail. Neverthless my thoughts are in the right direction. But will i make 'em to usher a new era?
Time will tell... Jai Hind!
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