Shashi Tharoor Calls Emergency ‘A Dark Chapter’, Warns Against Authoritarian Drift

New Delhi |
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has reignited debate over India’s 1975 Emergency by publicly criticising the move as a period of “unchecked power turning into authoritarianism.” In a strongly worded article published in the Malayalam daily Deepika, Tharoor described the Emergency as “a dark chapter” that inflicted lasting damage on Indian democracy.

The Emergency, declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977, led to a suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, and widespread crackdowns. Tharoor’s comments come at a time when the Congress party itself has chosen silence over introspection.

Indira Gandhi’s Role Under the Lens

Tharoor did not mince words in his criticism of Indira Gandhi — often remembered within the Congress as the “Iron Lady.” He wrote that her endorsement of harsh actions, including forced sterilisation campaigns led by her son Sanjay Gandhi, reflected a dangerous erosion of democratic values.

“Violence and coercion were used to meet sterilisation targets in rural areas. In urban centres like Delhi, entire slums were demolished, leaving thousands homeless,” Tharoor wrote, adding, “Whatever order may have emerged during the Emergency came at the cost of the soul of our Republic.”

The Impact: Mistrust, Fear, and a Democratic Backlash

Citing the curtailment of fundamental rights and the suppression of dissent, Tharoor said the Emergency left an “enduring scar” on Indian politics. He pointed to the 1977 elections as a powerful public response: the electorate voted Indira Gandhi out of power, a clear message of disapproval.

“The silencing of citizens, restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, and disregard for constitutional norms deeply hurt the nation’s democratic fabric,” he noted.

A Warning for Today’s India

Tharoor emphasized that even though India is now a stronger democracy, the lessons of the Emergency remain crucial. He warned that the temptation to centralise power, bypass institutions, and silence dissent could resurface in the name of national interest.

“We must remain vigilant,” Tharoor wrote. “Democracy is a precious legacy that must be nurtured. The Emergency should serve as a lasting reminder of what can happen when power goes unchecked.”

Congress’s Uneasy Silence

While Tharoor’s article has stirred conversations, top Congress leaders have largely stayed quiet. Kerala Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan declined to comment, stating that only the national leadership should respond. Senior leader K. Muraleedharan went a step further, saying the Emergency is “not a relevant topic at the moment.”

Tharoor’s critique underscores a larger conversation India continues to grapple with: how to balance power, protect civil rights, and ensure that past mistakes are not repeated.