It is 34 years since the hated and draconian ‘Emergency’ was withdrawn in 1977. When a political crisis arose for the ruling Congress and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, instead of facing the same, Indira Gandhi declared the draconian ‘National Emergency’ on 25th June 1975. Thousands of leaders and workers of opposition political parties and trade unions were arrested and jailed. Left parties were specially targetted.Draconian orders were issued to silence the media and all democratic institutions. Many P&T Union leaders were arrested including Com.N.J.Iyer. I was taken in to custody twice, but released. In Calicut, where I was working two comrades were arrested and jailed for one year. It was the same in W.Bengal where about more than one dozen leaders of P&T and central government employees were arrested and jailed.

The government continued with suppression and terror but the democratic movement also resisted with all its force. The struggles, JP movement and international pressure all compelled the Congress rulers to declare election. A survey conducted by the government also suggested that the congress will win the election with thumping majority. The Emergency was withdrawn on 27th March 1977, but in the elections, the Congress was routed out. For the first time in India, a non-congress, Janata Government came in to power. The one party Congress Rule at the centre was over. The people defeated dictatorship. A new era came in Indian Politics.