Tracing the Legacy of 1975 — From Forced Silence to Subtle Suppress
WHEN THE INTERNAL emergency was imposed in the country on June 25, 1975, I was an undergraduate student. Looking back, I believe the role of the media—and the courage shown by a section of it during those dark days—was instrumental in my choosing this profession.
It was a time of fear and repression by the authorities. Few dared to speak openly about the illegal and unethical practices carried out by government officials. People whispered about the atrocities committed by the authorities, including forced sterilisation, the arrest of activists, and media censorship.
On the positive side, trains and public transport—previously known for frequent delays—began running on time. Government employees started arriving at work punctually, and there was a general sense of discipline. However, the negative aspects of the Emergency far outweighed these few positives.
As a college student, I joined a group of peers who secretly put up posters against the Emergency in the dead of night. We were fortunate not to be caught, but several acquaintances were imprisoned.
That was also the period when a small section of the media showed exceptional courage—such as the Hind Samachar group and The Indian Express—earning admiration and respect for standing up to the authorities despite the government’s high-handedness.
Looking back, this inspired in me a desire to be part of the media and to work with a sense of mission so that our countrymen would never have to endure what they did during the Emergency. Its imposition made everyone realise the value of independence and the importance of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Fifty years on… feeling the same way?
The debate today is whether the country has learned enough from the Emergency—and whether we are now witnessing an undeclared one. Are we truly a democracy, or is the government taking steps that undermine democratic principles?
There is no doubt that no ruler appreciates criticism or defiance. The difference lies in the degree of intolerance. Among our prime ministers, the levels of tolerance have clearly varied—from Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reminded citizens of the darkest period in our post-independence history. He rightly said that the memories of the Emergency must not fade so that the youth remember that threat to democracy. He criticised the Congress for questioning the Constitution and democratic functioning when its leader was the one who imposed the Emergency.
R K Laxman’s iconic cartoon
It is indeed ironic that the party whose government imposed the Emergency now claims to be the Constitution’s greatest defender, while the party that once fought for civil liberties and the rule of law—earlier known as the Jan Sangh—is today indulging in actions that cannot be deemed truly democratic.
Yes, the current government has not officially suspended citizens’ civil rights, nor is it running campaigns like forced sterilisation or demolition of colonies. It is also true that the judiciary remains largely independent and that some sections of the media, though limited, continue to champion press freedom.
However, it is also true that the current government has surpassed all previous ones—except that of the Emergency era—in deviating from the true spirit of democracy. No previous government has misused institutions like the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Income Tax Department as blatantly to silence critics and political opponents.
No earlier government has imprisoned so many activists, stand-up comedians, media persons, and intellectuals. None has created such widespread fear of midnight arrests or house demolitions targeting those allegedly involved in protests—leading to a sharp decline in our freedom index.
It may be an exaggeration to call the current period an “undeclared Emergency” or to equate it with the excesses and brutalities of that time. But the fact remains: we are far from being a shining example of a vibrant democracy.
Draconian laws such as the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) have been replaced by laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Large sections of the media have been subdued—either through inducements or intimidation.
Also Read: The Emergency at 50: Un-Celebrating a Legacy
The constant tug-of-war between the natural desire of rulers to exert total control and the need for resistance by a vigilant opposition, an independent judiciary, and a free media is the essence of democracy. We must remain eternally vigilant. 
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Vipin Pubby
The author, a freelance journalist, is a former Resident Editor of Indian Express, Chandigarh, and reported on the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern India, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in his long, illustrious career.
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