The ‘Emergency’ declared by Indira Gandhi government is completing 40 years. It was in the late hours of 25th June 1975, that the ‘National Emergency’ was declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, after her election was nullified by the court.

Democracy was given a burial. Civil rights were denied. Almost all the opposition leaders and activists at all level were arrested and put behind bars. Opposition M.P.s were also jailed. Complete censuring of newspapers  was ensured. No news of even a small criticism of government was allowed. Trade unions functions were strictly curtailed. Dearness Allowance was frozen. Extra constitutional forces controlled the government. Compulsory sterilization was forced. It was a period of terror.

Many leaders of Central Govt. Employees, including Posts and Telegraphs were put in jail. I was taken in to custody twice. These arrests and atrocities continued while the emergency was on.

Hoping that the opposition has been demolished and that Congress  will be elected with much majority, general elections were declared. Most of the leaders of the opposition contested the elections, while in jail. The Congress party was utterly defeated, even Indira Gandhi being defeated in her own constituency. The newly formed Janatha party came in to power. The hated Emergency was over.

Another such dictatorship and Emergency will not be tolerated by the people of India.