Ramesh Babu

When the Emergency was declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June, 1975, it was a moment that would forever be remembered in Indian political history. However, decades later, the interpretation of this event continues to be deeply polarised. While BJP has consistently attempted to use the Emergency as a political weapon to discredit the Congress legacy, the people of India delivered their own verdict-first in 1977, and even more significantly, in 1980.

Emergency in context

The Emergency, lasting from 1975 to 1977, was imposed in the backdrop of increasing political unrest, economic instability, external threats, and an adverse court judgment. While civil liberties were curbed and political opponents jailed, there were also notable achievements during this period: the country witnessed strict discipline in administration, improvements in law and order, progress in family planning, and efficiency in public services.

Though the Emergency is often painted in dark tones, it's essential to remember that it was imposed in accordance with constitutional provisions available at the time. The decisions taken, whether right or wrong, must be seen in the context of an evolving democracy dealing with multiple challenges.

1977: A setback, not a rejection

In 1977, after lifting the Emergency and calling for general elections, Indira faced a major defeat. The Janata Party came to power, securing a majority. However, it would be a mistake to interpret this solely as a national rejection of Indira’s leadership. The anti-Congress alliance was a conglomeration of disparate groups, united primarily by opposition to her rule rather than any cohesive ideology or policy vision. Congress still secured 154 Lok Sabha seats and garnered 34.52 per cent of the popular vote, a significant share even in defeat. This clearly indicated that a large portion of the electorate still had faith in Indira Gandhi’s leadership.

1980: The people restore her mandate

Just three years later, in the 1980 general elections, the people of India voted overwhelmingly to bring Indira back to power. The Janata Party, plagued by internal conflicts, policy paralysis, and leadership struggles, had failed to deliver on its promises. Indira Gandhi's comeback was not merely political-it was symbolic of the public’s renewed trust in her ability to provide decisive leadership and national stability.

Her return to power reaffirmed that the Indian electorate is mature, discerning, and capable of reassessing its choices. If the Emergency was seen as an error, the people believed it was not one that defined Indira Gandhi's entire legacy. Her role in strengthening India’s global position, leading during the 1971 war, and standing firm in difficult times weighed far more heavily in the minds of the public.

BJP’s continual focus on the Emergency

Today, decades after the event, BJP continues to highlight the Emergency to target Congress and Indira’s legacy. However, it’s important to ask-why does a party that has ruled India for a decade still feel the need to evoke an incident from 50 years ago? The answer is simple: the Emergency is used as a rhetorical tool to delegitimise Congress, particularly when BJP struggles to address present-day issues like inflation, unemployment, or democratic backsliding.

Ironically, while attacking Indira, BJP often overlooks the people’s democratic decision in 1980. The voters of India had every right and power to permanently reject her leadership if they wished-but they didn’t. In fact, they gave her an even stronger mandate than before. Today, the BJP continues to rake up the Emergency every year to tarnish Indira’s name. But this effort is deeply political and lacks historical balance. BJP, which had no major role in India’s independence movement or early nation-building, seeks to discredit the Congress and its legacy, especially when it has no answers to rising unemployment, inflation, or communal polarization under its own rule.

Let history judge, not political propaganda

Indira Gandhi’s enduring popularity and comeback cannot be erased by one-sided narratives. Rather than recycling the Emergency as a political weapon, it is time for parties to focus on present governance challenges. The people of India are capable of remembering history, but they also know how to move forward. And in 1980, they chose to do just that—with Indira leading the way.

Indira, India’s first and only woman prime minister to date, remains one of the most iconic and transformative figures in Indian history. Her tenure as the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her tragic assassination in 1984 was marked by bold decisions, fierce leadership, global recognition, and an unshakable commitment to India's unity and development. Her legacy cannot be judged through the lens of one chapter alone.

Instead, her overall contribution to India’s political, economic, and strategic foundation remains unmatched, and the people of India, through democratic means, vindicated her leadership time and again.

A visionary and decisive leader

Indira Gandhi inherited a nation facing food shortages, political instability, poverty, and economic stagnation. Yet she took charge with firm determination and introduced policies that forever altered India’s trajectory.

·        Green Revolution: Under her leadership, India overcame chronic food shortages through the Green Revolution, making the country self-sufficient in food grain production and reducing dependency on foreign aid.

·        Nationalisation of banks (1969): With a bold move, she nationalized 14 major banks, democratising access to credit, especially for farmers, women, and the rural poor. This act brought financial inclusion to the forefront of policy.