10-July-2025 Daily Answer Writing
Q1) What lessons can contemporary India learn from the Emergency of 1975 in the context of democratic values and civil liberties?
(GS Paper 2, 15 Marks, 250 Words)
Answer:
The Emergency declared in 1975 under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution remains one of the most critical events in India’s democratic history. It offers enduring lessons about the fragility of civil liberties and the importance of institutional checks and balances.
Background and Key Features of the Emergency
- It was imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi citing “internal disturbance.”
- Civil liberties were curtailed, press censorship was imposed, opposition leaders were jailed, and mass forced sterilization and demolitions occurred.
- The executive dominated all institutions, including the judiciary and legislature.
Key Lessons for Contemporary India
- Safeguarding Civil Liberties: The arbitrary arrests, custodial torture, and suppression of dissent during the Emergency highlight the need for stronger protections of individual freedoms and human rights.
- Institutional Independence: The collapse of institutional autonomy—especially of the press, judiciary, and civil services—demonstrates the importance of their insulation from political pressures.
- Public Vigilance and Resistance: Resistance at home (300+ districts) and abroad (posters in the U.S., UK) showed that civic awareness and international pressure can deter authoritarianism.
- Legal and Electoral Reforms: The misuse of constitutional provisions necessitates reforms to prevent future abuse, including tightening the criteria for emergency declaration and ensuring judicial review.
Conclusion
- The Emergency serves as a cautionary tale that democratic norms must be actively defended.
- Eternal vigilance, robust institutions, and an empowered citizenry are vital to ensure India remains a vibrant democracy.
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