'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency

Free Thinker *

Millions have rightly or wrongly observed the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency in India on 25th June. It is observed as Assassination of Democracy Day or Constitution Demolition Day etc., in various parts of the country. In fact, on 25th June 1975, Nehru's daughter declared Nationwide Emergency.

It resulted in suspension of fundamental rights, media censorship, blatant political repression and freezing of human rights. People were fearful of coercive sterilisation and unwarranted wrongful detention. Everyone was shit scared even to pee in open. Majority of the people of this country flayed the declaration of Emergency by Indira Gandhi.

Only a microscopic minority like Khushwant Singh and Indira lovers could find some virtues in Emergency. He famously jotted down "Why I supported the Emergency" arguing that the Opposition's disrespect for democratic norms and their role in disrupting public order justified to some extent Indira's action.

He elaborated in his writings that the Opposition's undemocratic actions leading to violence, vandalism, and widespread disruption to normal life created a climate of National turbulence. It also led to the breakdown of public transportation and general education system. While supporting Emergency he also acknowledged its flaws.

The Indira Government invoked Article 352 of the Constitution which allowed the Government to declare National emergency on the basis of internal disturbances and widespread political instability. Court ruling against the then PM and ever-increasing public outcry perhaps triggered the decision.

In fact, the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices in the 1971 general election and barred her from holding office for six years. Moreover, the ruling Congress party was facing increasing criticism from the Opposition particularly from the Socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan.

My reading of Emergency might be different from the majority of my tribe and general intelligentsia. There are many long term benefits of Emergency. As a matter of fact, for about 21 months life became hell for the Opposition leaders and workers; and the press remained muzzled. Common people were also suffering from various atrocious programs like forcible family planning .

The Government employees were under tremendous pressure as they had to work and be punctual. It is an undeniable historical fact that the Emergency created a strong Opposition. The era of one-party rule since Independence came to an end. The Opposition parties became united to defeat Indira and her Party. They succeeded in forming the first non-Congress Government in the year 1977.

The Janata Party which was a rag tag alignment of many political parties formed the Government at the Centre under the leadership of Moraiji Desai. The Janata Government did not last long because of the continuous infightings and uncompromising egos. Moreover, there was an unending power struggle among the top leaders to become PM.

However, we must agree that in a Democracy the rise and fall of political parties must take place. Emergency gave that opportunity — it led to the fall of the Congress Party. Though it could revive and come back to power in 1980. Indira Congress came back to power with a thumping majority. But a paradigm shift of a multi-party democracy culminated. That was also the beginning of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

BJP was born in 1980 on 6 April. The Party's origin may be traced back as early as 1951 with the setting up of the Bhartiya Jana Sangha-a political wing of RSS. After the Emergency of 1975 the Jana Sangha merged with several other parties to form the Janata Party. Within three years Janata Party broke into pieces. The Janata party was virtually dissolved in 1980.

Then the erstwhile Jana Sangha emerged as BJP. In the 1984 general election they won only 2 seats in Lok Sabha. Today they have been ruling the country since 2014. Largely because of the Emergency the Opposition became strong and united. And in a way the multi -party system got strengthened. Then the Regional parties or the State based parties came into prominence.

The Left parties rose to power in few States including West Bengal. In a way the Emergency of 1975 did rejuvenate Indian democracy. Not only did it strengthen democracy but it gave an impetus to multi-party democracy. The strength of regional parties could no longer be suppressed by the so-called National parties. In course of time a symbiotic existence of National spirit and State aspirations came into being.

At the same time the Apex Court could reinvent itself from the ignominy of Emergency misadventures like endorsement of Mini Constitution of Mrs Gandhi (42nd Constitution Amendment). Subsequent assertion and showing of strength under the aegis of the Constitution against the political masters became fashionable in the judiciary.

The rebirth and rejuvenation of Indian judiciary was indeed a remarkable after effect of Emergency. Today many are 'celebrating' Emergency because it taught the entire Nation the import of liberty, justice and equity. More than a laldt people including top Opposition leaders were behind bars during the Emergency.

When they came out of the Jail, they might have flabbergasted their followers that Congress must be liquidated. The same feeling lingers on in today's slogan "Congress-mukt Bharat." The whole world is envious of our chaotic democracy; and surprisingly it has survived for 75 years and still going gaga with several scoundrels.

One RSS leader Rangasamy Thevar once said in jail during Emergency that "India is such a country that any unscrupulous person can rule for any period of time". Those who were in jail between 1975 and 1977, though many have passed away are ruling the country today. Their sons and daughters are also in active politics and most of them are in power. They are really enjoying the fruits of Emergency.