- Reasons
- India experienced economic and political issues in the early 1970s. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s leadership was criticized by the opposition parties, particularly the socialist and Janata alliances.
- Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) was ruled null and illegal by the Allahabad High Court in June 1975. For six years, the court prevented her from holding any elected position.
- Gujarat and Bihar crisis.
- Key Features
- 19-Point Programme was implemented to bring about social and economic reforms.
- Land reforms, the abolition of urban slums, and the development of a more egalitarian society were all part of it.
- The government implemented a contentious family planning program that included a mandatory sterilization policy. This policy was executed with aggressive goals, resulting in abuses of human rights.
- Numerous political leaders, activists, and journalists who were critical of the regime were arrested. Political dissent was stifled, and opposition parties were prohibited.
- Impact
- The fundamental rights of the citizens were curtailed.
- Press censorship was introduced.
- Bureaucracy assumed larger power