Question

Explain any four steps taken by the government to control the opposition to Emergency imposed in 1975.

Hint:

To remember the key steps used to control opposition during the 1975 Emergency, think of the acronym J-A-I-L: Jailing political leaders under MISA, Amending the constitution to curb courts, Imposing strict press censorship, and Legal bans on organizations like the RSS.

Answer 1

Step 1: Mass Arrest of Opposition Leaders and Activists under Preventive Detention Immediately following the declaration of the Internal Emergency on the night of June 25, 1975, the Indira Gandhi government launched a massive crackdown on opposition parties. Using draconian laws like the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), the police arrested thousands of key political leaders, including Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, L.K. Advani, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Under MISA, individuals could be detained indefinitely without trial or charge, stripping the opposition of its organizational leadership.

Step 2: Implementation of Strict Press Censorship To prevent the dissemination of anti-government news and suppress opposition voices, the government imposed absolute press censorship. On the night of June 25, the power supply to major newspaper offices in Delhi was disconnected, keeping them from publishing morning editions. Newspapers were legally required to submit all drafts, editorials, and cartoons to government censors for approval before printing. Renowned newspapers like the Indian Express and The Statesman left blank spaces in protest where editorials had been censored.

Step 3: Banning Dissident Political and Social Organisations The central government banned several prominent socio-political organizations that it suspected of fueling anti-government agitation or threatening public order. Organizations across the ideological spectrum, including the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Islamic organization Jamaat-e-Islami, were outlawed. Their offices were sealed, bank accounts frozen, and thousands of their cadres arrested under preventive detention.

Step 4: Suspension of Fundamental Rights and Bypassing the Judiciary The government suspended the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, including Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). Through the controversial 39th and 42nd Constitutional Amendments, the government placed the elections of the PM, President, and Vice President beyond judicial scrutiny and declared that no constitutional amendment could be challenged in any court. This meant that detained individuals had no legal recourse or right to file a habeas corpus petition, giving the executive unchecked power over the opposition and the public.