INDIRA GANDHI
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PREFACE
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There was a death anniversary of Indira Gandhi on 31st October 2012 and she will be remembered for imposing Emergency in India and suspending the fundamental right. Besides that  She  liberated  Bangladesh, Nationalized Banks, and Removed the privy purses of the Maharajahs. They were her controversial actions. It is for people of India and history has to judge her action. However her action of imposing Emergency in the year 1975 was condemned universally by the people who loved democracy. Let us see what was it.
THE EMERGENCY OF 1975
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Justice Jagmohan Saxena of Allahabad High Court debarred Indira Gandhi from holding any elected post for six years on 12th June 1975. She was debarred for corrupt practices in the election. However she was given three weeks for going to Supreme Court. The  democratic norms then required her  to vacate her position of prime minister until the supreme court decide her case. It was very embarrassing situation for her and she was determine not to give up position of power.  The opposition against her was becoming unbearable and she was in search of finding way out. One of her  Ministers Siddarthsanker Ray suggested her to impose external emergency but she decided to impose internal emergency on 25th June 1975 stating that ‘There is plot to negate the very functioning of democracy. However Shah commission appointed in this regard found no reason  for the same.’
                                           In the process of imposing Emergency Indira Gandhi clearly by passed the Parliament, and Cabinet. She sent declaration directly to the President fakhruddin Ali Ahmed for signature with message that approval of cabinet can be taken afterwards. President also signed the declaration accordingly. It was very unfortunate action of the president to sign the declaration without verifying the facts.
                                         Under the Emergency Indira Gandhi suspended the Civil Liberty and Fundamental Rights, Dissolve  some of the state assemblies, Gaded the Press,Coerced the Judiciary, and  arrested the Opponent. In short constitution was suspended.
                                         The lots of excesses were committed during  the period i.e. like arresting political opponent without trial, and the extra constitutional authority were used by her close associates.. Besides that some of the politicians and civil servant were never punished for their excesses during the Emergency. In the family planning campaign some people were operated who were not  even married. The bulldozer were used to remove Slums without any intimation and authority. There were many other excesses which were hidden and not accounted for.Indira Gandhi was not even well informed regarding the same. It appeared that she was losing control over government machineries. She withdrew the emergency and declared election. It may be under wrong report or for compelling reasons. Thus Emergency was withdrawn after Nineteen months. However tremendous  damage was done to the democratic structure of India. She was defeated in the election and the Janata Party(i.e. The combination of  opposition parties ) came in the power.
                                     Janata Party appointed ‘Shah Commission’ to inquire into the excesses of Emergency. Sanjay Gandhi was convicted in the case of ‘Kissa Khursika’ .However Janta Government was toppled before ‘Shah Commission ‘completed its report.  Janata Government  tried it best to repair the damages done during Emergency. They Amended the Constitution under the 44th Amendment of Constitution so that nobody can impose emergency in future without taking majority approval from the Parliament. They also brought ‘Prasar Bharati ‘ Bill in order to make TV and Radio independent so that no future government can not misuse it. In short derail democracy was brought in order.  However kuldip Nayar one of the prominent Journalist then stated that ‘Unfortunately Emergency had brought out some of basic weaknesses of Indian people i.e. How emergency was imposed without much resistance?
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