UPSC CSE·Concept
National Emergency 1975: A Dark Chapter
On June 25, 1975, the Indira Gandhi govt declared a National Emergency, citing 'internal disturbance' under Article 352. This controversial period saw the suspension of fundamental rights, widespread arrests of political opponents, and severe press censorship. The infamous ADM Jabalpur case upheld the state's power to detain without trial. This era, often called 'Samwidhan Hatya Diwas' by critics, led to significant constitutional changes via the 42nd and 44th Amendments.
Key points
- Declared on June 25, 1975, by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on PM Indira Gandhi's advice, citing 'internal disturbance'.
- Fundamental Rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 were suspended, severely curtailing civil liberties and press freedom.
- ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976): SC ruled that the right to Habeas Corpus could be suspended during the Emergency.
- The 42nd Amendment (1976) made sweeping changes, often called a 'mini-constitution', concentrating power in the executive.
- The 44th Amendment (1978) replaced 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion' to prevent future misuse of Article 352.
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Posted 26 June 2026. More daily posts →