Raj Narain Verdict And Protests Led By JP: What Led To Indira Gandhi Imposing Emergency?

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti

Last Updated: June 25, 2025, 13:19 IST

Indira Gandhi’s 1971 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli was declared invalid on grounds of electoral malpractice by the Allahabad High Court.

The Emergency, which lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, was arguably the most totalitarian phase in the history of independent India. (News18 Hindi)

Today marks 50 years of Emergency, what many call India’s “darkest chapter” in history. On June 25, 1975, then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared a state of Emergency on the advice of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, invoking Article 352 of the Indian Constitution by citing “internal disturbance” as its justification.

Officially framed as a response to threats to national stability and governance, Emergency granted sweeping executive powers: civil liberties were suspended, elections postponed, and the government empowered to rule by decree.

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However, historians widely posit that the true motive lay in preserving Indira Gandhi’s political power following a major legal setback — her 1971 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli was declared invalid on grounds of electoral malpractice by the Allahabad High Court. Facing imprisonment and a six‑year bar from office, Gandhi sought constitutional cover through Emergency powers to override judicial decisions and stabilise her hold on power.

What Were The Events That Led To Emergency?

The Raj Narain Verdict

The Raj Narain verdict, delivered by the Allahabad High Court on June 12, 1975, was a landmark moment in Indian political history that triggered the declaration of the Emergency. The case had its roots in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, where Raj Narain, a socialist leader, contested against then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from the Rae Bareli constituency. After losing the election, Raj Narain filed a petition alleging electoral malpractices, including misuse of government machinery and violation of election laws.

After nearly four years of legal proceedings, Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha found Indira Gandhi guilty of corrupt electoral practices under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. He invalidated her election and barred her from holding any elected office for six years. This unprecedented judgment not only questioned the legitimacy of a sitting Prime Minister but also created a major political upheaval.

On June 24, 1975, Justice VR Krishna Iyer, while hearing Gandhi’s appeal in Supreme Court, granted a conditional stay on the Allahabad High Court’s judgment. This interim order allowed Indira Gandhi to continue as Prime Minister, but with restrictions — she could not vote in Parliament or draw a salary as an MP until the appeal was fully heard.

Facing mounting opposition and fearing political collapse, Indira Gandhi declared a nationwide Emergency on June 25, 1975, suspending civil liberties and postponing elections. The Raj Narain verdict is widely regarded as a critical turning point that exposed weaknesses in India’s democratic system and led to one of its darkest political chapters, shaking public faith in institutions and triggering widespread resistance against authoritarianism.

Mass Protest Movements

Coupled with the verdict was a surge of nationwide unrest. Political leaders and activists from various opposition parties, led by socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), intensified their campaign to unseat her.

JP, who had already launched the “Total Revolution” movement, called for nationwide civil disobedience. Mass rallies, student protests, and worker strikes broke out in cities like Delhi, Patna, and Ahmedabad. People took to the streets chanting slogans like “Indira Hatao, Desh Bachao” (Remove Indira, Save the Nation). The movement rapidly gained momentum, with supporters from all sections of society—including youth, intellectuals, and farmers—joining in.

On June 25, 1975, JP addressed a massive rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, urging the armed forces and police to defy “illegal orders” and support the democratic movement. This alarmed the government, which viewed it as a call for rebellion.

Fearing a collapse of authority, Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency the same night. Thousands of opposition leaders and protestors were arrested overnight. The spontaneous, widespread protests played a critical role in triggering one of India’s darkest political chapters.

What Happened During Emergency?

Curtailment of Civil Liberties

During the 21‑month Emergency (25 June 1975–21 March 1977), over 100,000 political opponents, activists, and journalists were detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) without trial. Fundamental rights like freedom of speech, assembly, and press were suppressed—censorship was imposed on newspapers, radio, and television.

Political Fallout

The Emergency fundamentally distorted democratic institutions. Parliament lost its authority, state governments — like those of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat — were dismissed via President’s Rule, and dissenters from across parties (including future opposition stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani) were jailed.

What Happened After Emergency?

In March 1977, unshackled by public outrage, fresh elections were held and Indira Gandhi suffered a heavy defeat. Though India didn’t formally revise the Constitution to eliminate Emergency provisions, subsequent reforms replaced the vague term “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion” to prevent misuse.

50 Years On…

On its 50th anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Emergency as “one of the darkest chapters in India’s democratic history,” arguing that democracy had been “placed under arrest,” the Constitution “set aside,” and “press freedom extinguished”.

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He took to social media to stand with those who resisted the Emergency and marked June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas — “Constitution Murder Day” — underscoring the imperative to protect civil liberties

Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to Emergency as a case of “murdering democracy.” He reminded the public that “the nation never bows down to dictatorship,” and solidified June 25’s status as a day of constitutional reflection.

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First Published: June 25, 2025, 13:19 IST