Indira imposed Emergency as per constitutional provisions, lifted it on time: Sanjay Raut

Then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in 1975 as per provisions of the Constitution and lifted the measure in stipulated time to pave the way for fresh Lok Sabha polls two years later, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Wednesday.

Slamming the ruling BJP for observing 'Samvidhan Hatya Divas' ('Constitution Murder Day') on June 25 to protest the proclamation of the Emergency, he noted the event took place 50 years ago and it was necessary to forget the past and move towards the future.

Raut claimed then-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Balasaheb Deoras had backed the Emergency.


"The Constitution has provisions (to impose) the Emergency when there are attempts to spread anarchy by internal and external forces. They (the BJP) have to study this. She (Indira Gandhi) did it legally and sought Parliament's approval by calling a special session," the Rajya Sabha maintained.

Raut claimed India is now facing an undeclared Emergency and alleged "massive levels" of corruption and crony capitalism in the country.

Opposition leaders are being jailed and many others are being imprisoned by branding them as Naxals and anti-nationals, he averred.

"Indira Gandhi never did this. She lifted the Emergency in a stipulated time period and paved the way for fresh elections. She and her party (Congress) lost the polls (in 1977) and accepted the mandate," noted Raut, whose party is an ally of the Congress.

The Modi government had announced last year that the anniversary of the Emergency will be commemorated as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'.

Between June 25, 1975, and March 21, 1977, India was placed under a state of Emergency as per provisions of Article 352 of the Constitution by the then-Congress government, citing threats from internal disturbance.

The 21-month-long period was characterised by the curtailment of civil liberties, mass arrest of opposition leaders, protesters and press censorship.