Thread by @TheIndiaanMonk

41 years ago, in 1975, India saw its darkest phase since Independence when then M Indira Gandhi called for an emergency to be declared across the country. The emergency was issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352(1) of the Constitution.

#Emergency1975

They termed it as "internal disturbance" that lasted 21 long months beginning 25th June 1975 and going on until 21st March 1977.

Here are some facts and pictures from the emergency period.

1. This was India's 3rd emergency since its Independence telling us how unstable political conditions were.

2. The 1971 war with Pakistan left the country in a bad state. Problems like drought and oil crisis made the economy suffer which led to a rise in tension levels.

3. Strikes and protests everywhere and the rise of a political opposition were responsible for the economic tumble.

4. During this time, Indira Gandhi came out with a 20-point program to help the economy and fight poverty and illiteracy.

5. Censorship played a huge role. It was imposed on the press, cinema and other forms of art, and political leaders were being arrested at the whim and fancy of the government.

6. Elections were postponed.

7. Political leaders and protesters started going underground but still carried on their protests. The Gandhis were going overboard with the power.

8. She was ruling by decree and was criticised heavily for her actions.

9. Indira Gandhi thought the existing laws of the country were too slow. So she took it upon herself to re-write the law.

10. The first Lok Sabha elections that took place after the emergency in 1977 saw Janata Party oust the Gandhis.

11. The Media suffered the most. Everything that went in papers would first be screened by the govt. The Indian Express stood out in particular - after the imposition of emergency, it consisted of a blank page instead of editorial.

12. People died and it all went unreported.