The Emergency: A Woman Who Shook the Entire Nation

The Emergency: A Woman Who Shook the Entire Nation On this day, 49 years ago, India entered one of its darkest phases: the Emergency. Declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, this period is often viewed as a severe deviation from democratic principles. The Emergency, lasting until March 21, 1977, saw widespread censorship, political arrests, and human rights abuses, marking a significant chapter in Indian political history. The Emergency Declared The Emergency was imposed ostensibly to protect national security and maintain law and order. However, many historians and political analysts argue that it was primarily a response to growing political opposition and a court verdict that invalidated Indira Gandhi's 1971 election victory. This period was characterized by the suspension of civil liberties, a crackdown on political opponents, and stringent press censorship. The media, silenced and harassed, found itself unable to report freely, and many journalists faced imp...