The nation was built in the flame of discipline

Every event has two aspects, one is bright and the other is dark. If the Emergency has been called a dark period, then it is also necessary to see the light hidden within it, which showed a new direction to India. Undoubtedly, the Emergency imposed restrictions on civil liberties, but it also provided the country with political stability, economic discipline and administrative efficiency. Thinking in favour of the Emergency does not mean that we are opposing democracy, but it means believing that in difficult times, tough decisions are also sometimes necessary. The Emergency established such a sense of discipline in the nation, which accelerated administrative work and provided decisive leadership to the country. During the Emergency, economic plans got a new direction. Production increased. Many notable reforms like planned development and control over corruption took place. Work culture improved in the public sector. Trains running on time, efficiency of government offices and ground implementation of schemes, all this was the result of the discipline that arose from the strictness of the Emergency. It is also noteworthy that many efforts were made in the direction of social reforms during this period. Family planning was given the form of a serious national program for the first time. Recognizing the seriousness of the population explosion, emphasis was laid on both awareness and implementation.

The Emergency also taught us how important it is to maintain a balance between freedom and discipline. This period inspires us to think that the progress of a nation is ensured not only by freedom, but also by the judicious use of that freedom and strictness as per the times. During this period, a wide discussion began on the power and limitations of the media, judiciary and bureaucracy. Later on, this became the reason for making democracy more mature. In this way, the Emergency, however controversial it was, proved to be an important milestone in India’s democratic journey. Considering it only as a symbol of repression would be a one-sided view. At that time, the nation needed a firm hand, which lit the torch of order in the darkness of instability. Therefore, the Emergency should be read as a chapter that handled the nation through difficult decisions.

Nripendra Abhishek Nrip, commentator