The Emergency and Political Crackdown under Indira Gandhi (1975–1977)

1. Allahabad High Court voids Gandhi’s 1971 election

   Jun 12, 1975Labels: Allahabad High, Indira Gandhi

   • Raj Narain case
   • Britannica

2. President proclaims Emergency under Article 352

   Jun 25, 1975Labels: President Fakhruddin, Article 352

   • Britannica
   • Britannica Q A
   • Emergency

3. Mass arrests begin; opposition leaders detained

   Jun 26, 1975Labels: Opposition leaders, Preventive detention

   • Emergency
   • MISA

4. Press censorship imposed across major newsrooms

   Jun 26, 1975Labels: Press censorship, Newsrooms

   • Britannica
   • Emergency

5. Government announces Twenty-Point Programme reforms

   Jul 1, 1975Labels: Twenty-Point Programme, Indira Gandhi

   • AIDCSC
   • Emergency

6. 38th Amendment strengthens Emergency powers, limits review

   Aug 1, 1975Labels: 38th Amendment, Parliament

   • 38th Amendment
   • Emergency

7. 39th Amendment shields key elections from court scrutiny

   Aug 10, 1975Labels: 39th Amendment, Parliament

   • Indira v Raj
   • Emergency

8. Supreme Court rules in Indira Gandhi election case

   Nov 7, 1975Labels: Supreme Court, Indira Gandhi

   • Indira v Raj
   • Raj Narain

9. Supreme Court limits habeas corpus during Emergency

   Apr 28, 1976Labels: ADM Jabalpur, Supreme Court

   • ADM Jabalpur
   • Emergency

10. 42nd Amendment enacted, expanding central authority

    Dec 18, 1976Labels: 42nd Amendment, Parliament

    • 42nd Amendment
    • Emergency

11. Gandhi calls elections and begins releasing detainees

    Jan 18, 1977Labels: Indira Gandhi, Detainee releases

    • Washington Post
    • Emergency

12. India votes in general election amid Emergency conditions

    Mar 16, 1977Labels: Lok Sabha, Indian electorate

    • 1977 Election
    • Emergency

13. Emergency revoked after election, ending the crackdown period

    Mar 21, 1977Labels: Emergency revocation, President

    • Britannica
    • Emergency

14. Janata Party forms government; Desai sworn in

    Mar 24, 1977Labels: Janata Party, Morarji Desai

    • Britannica Desai
    • 1977 Election

15. Shah Commission submits reports on Emergency abuses

    Aug 6, 1978Labels: Shah Commission, Janata government

    • Shah Commission
    • Britannica