National Emergency - Why it was imposed in 1975?

                       Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in 1975. In case of emergency, all the fundamental rights of citizens, freedom of press, media and opposition will be suspended. President, as the supreme commander, will discharge his duties in consultation with the Prime Minister.

What made Indira to impose emergency?

                        Indira's government had to face general elections in 1971 after the war against Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh. There was a great opposition against this war and many did not like the idea of war. Moreover, as a result of this war, we were in financial crisis.

                         In spite of all these, Indira and her government won the general elections with huge majority. Many alleged that Indira misused the state machinery for election purposes. Some even alleged that, she used a rare type of Russian ink on the ballot papers. This ink has a chemical property of being invisible till the time it is exposed to open air and light. So, these ballot papers when opened for counting had a vote being cast to the desired candidate. All such allegations were raised by the opposition in those days.

                          Raj Narain, who was defeated in election by Indira Gandhi, lodged cases against her in the Allahabad High Court. On 12 June 1975, 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 is not valid and also banned her from contesting any election for an additional six years. Some serious charges such as bribing voters and election malpractices were withdrawn and she was held responsible for

• Misusing the government machinery, 

• Using the state police to build a dais, 

• Availing the services of a government officer and 

• Use of electricity from the state electricity department. 

                         So, strikes swept across the country.And her close associates suggested that it would be better to impose emergency in order to control the situation.Many great leaders (now in BJP) were arrested, no permissions were given for dharnas, hartals etc. This emergency went on till 1977 when she faced defeat and opposition party for the first time rose to power.

                         But, as there is no proper unity in the opposition  it remained in power for just 2 years when again, she became the PM of India until her assassination.

                         Keeping all these things aside, one should admire the boldness of Indira Gandhi. If anyone else were in that place, we could have never seen them again in active politics. Opposition which was successful in rising to power was never successful in retaining that due to lack of proper leadership.

                         She moved from infinity to zero, then to minus infinity and again rose to plus infinity in no time.Even today, every congress leader names new policies on her name. She is/was a leader....