Aftermath of emergency

During the Emergency period in India, the government implemented several measures to suppress opposition and maintain control.

Strikes were banned, opposition leaders were imprisoned, and the political atmosphere became tense yet quiet.

The government utilized its special powers and suspended press freedom, imposing press censorship by requiring prior approval for all published material. To prevent social and communal discord, organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Jamait-e-Islami were banned, and protests, strikes, and public agitations were disallowed.

Fundamental rights, including the right to approach the courts, were suspended. The government extensively employed preventive detention, arresting individuals based on the apprehension that they might commit offenses.

Habeas corpus petitions challenging these arrests were denied, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the government, thereby curtailing citizens' rights to life and liberty.

Despite the strict environment, acts of dissent and resistance occurred. Political workers who evaded arrest organized protests, newspapers protested censorship by leaving blank spaces in their content, and some magazines chose to shut down rather than comply.

Journalists were arrested for criticizing the Emergency, and underground publications emerged to bypass censorship. Renowned writers returned their awards in protest against the suspension of democracy.

The Parliament introduced constitutional amendments, including one that prevented challenges to the elections of the Prime Minister, President, and Vice-President in court.

The forty-second amendment, passed during the Emergency, brought several changes to the Constitution, extending the duration of legislatures from five to six years and allowing the postponement of elections by one year.