Lessons From Emergency

Lessons from Emergency

The first lesson is that it is extremely difficult to do away with democracy in India.

Secondly, the ambiguities regarding the emergency provisions were rectified during the Janata Government as it was made clear in the constitution that an “Internal Emergency” can be proclaimed only on the grounds of “armed rebellion” and it is now necessary for the council of Minister to advice President in writing to proclaim an emergency.

Thirdly, the emergency made everyone aware of the

value of civil liberties.

Due to the abuse of power during the period of emergency, it was realised that such measures subvert the rule of law and democratic institutions. Therefore, post-emergency, there emerged a political consensus that ensured that such a declaration of emergency should not happen again.

The end of the emergency was marked by the announcement of Mrs Gandhi in January 1977 that elections to the Lok Sabha would be held in March. Results of the elections made it clear that the electorate had not taken a kind view of the developments during the emergency and as a result, the Congress party was thoroughly defeated.

The lifting of the emergency and the free elections that followed were a defining moment in India’s post- independence history. This chapter in Indian history revealed the underlying attachment of Indian people to democratic values evolved over the years through the experience of the freedom struggle as well as the conduct of free elections in independent India.