West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced financial and other benefits for 325 people who were jailed for protesting during the Emergency.
The beneficiaries will receive a monthly pension of Rs 10,000, free travel on government buses and medical assistance.
Speaking at a programme at the state secretariat, Adhikari said these people faced serious hardships while standing up for democracy during the Emergency.
He said the new state government respects their contribution and the values they fought for.
Rs 10,000 Monthly Pension and Free Bus Travel
The West Bengal government has identified 325 people who were jailed for taking part in protests during the Emergency. They will be honoured under the “Paschim Banga Loktantra Senani Samman.”
Each beneficiary will receive a pension of Rs 10,000 every month. They will also be allowed to travel free of cost on government buses.
In addition, beneficiaries will get Rs 1,000 per month as medical assistance for treatment in government hospitals.
If an eligible beneficiary has passed away, these benefits will be provided to their spouse.
Emergency Protesters to Be Honoured
Several BJP-ruled states have already introduced awards and pension schemes to honour people who were jailed for opposing the Emergency.
The BJP-led central government also observes June 25 every year as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” to remember the Emergency imposed in 1975.
Freedom Fighters Remembered
Adhikari also paid tribute to freedom fighters on the 84th anniversary of the Quit India Movement.
Remembering Mahatma Gandhi’s famous “Do or Die” call, he said thousands of Indians made great sacrifices for the dream of an independent India.
He said the courage and sacrifices of freedom fighters laid the foundation of the independent India people enjoy today.
What Was the Emergency in India?
The Emergency lasted for 21 months, from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.
President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared the Emergency on the recommendation of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi under Article 352 of the Constitution.
During this period, the government imposed major restrictions on civil liberties and political activities.
Why Was the Emergency Imposed?
Several political and economic developments took place before the Emergency.
On June 12, 1975, the Allahabad High Court invalidated Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election from Rae Bareli after finding her guilty of electoral malpractices.
At the same time, Jayaprakash Narayan was leading a major movement against the government and demanding Indira Gandhi’s resignation.
India was also facing economic and political challenges, including inflation, unemployment and student protests in states such as Gujarat and Bihar.
What Happened During the Emergency?
Several fundamental rights were restricted during the Emergency. Opposition leaders and political activists were also arrested.
Prominent leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Chaudhary Charan Singh and Biju Patnaik were imprisoned.
Strict censorship was imposed on the press, limiting what newspapers and other media organisations could publish.
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment also introduced major changes to the Constitution and strengthened the powers of the central government and Parliament.
The period also saw controversial programmes associated with Sanjay Gandhi, including forced sterilisation campaigns and large-scale slum clearances.
Emergency Ended in March 1977
In January 1977, Indira Gandhi announced that Lok Sabha elections would be held in March.
Political prisoners were subsequently released, and the Emergency officially ended on March 21, 1977.
The Congress suffered a major defeat in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi both lost their seats.
The Janata Party won the election, and Morarji Desai became India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister.