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.
325 People to Get Rs 10,000 Monthly Pension
The West Bengal government has identified 325 people for the “Paschim Banga Loktantra Senani Samman.”
These individuals were jailed for taking part in protests during the Emergency.
Each eligible person 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 receive Rs 1,000 per month as medical assistance for treatment at government hospitals.
If an eligible beneficiary has died, the benefits will be provided to their spouse, according to the announcement.
Why Are Emergency Protesters Being Honoured?
Adhikari said the people who opposed the Emergency made sacrifices to protect democratic values.
Several BJP-ruled states have also introduced pensions and honours for people who were jailed during this period.
The BJP-led central government observes June 25 as “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” to remember the events surrounding the Emergency imposed in 1975.
Freedom Fighters Remembered on Quit India Anniversary
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 sacrifices with the dream of seeing an independent India.
He said the courage and sacrifices of freedom fighters laid the foundation for the independent India people enjoy today.
What Was the Emergency in India?
The Emergency remained in force for 21 months, from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977.
President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared the Emergency on the advice of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing internal disturbance.
During this period, the government received extraordinary powers, several civil liberties were restricted and many opposition leaders were arrested.
What Led to the Emergency?
One of the major developments came on June 12, 1975, when the Allahabad High Court invalidated Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election from Rae Bareli after finding her guilty of electoral malpractice.
At the same time, Jayaprakash Narayan was leading a nationwide movement against the government. His movement demanded major political changes and Indira Gandhi’s resignation.
India was also facing economic and political challenges, including inflation, unemployment and major student protests in states such as Gujarat and Bihar.
What Happened During the Emergency?
Several fundamental rights and civil liberties were restricted during the Emergency.
Opposition leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Biju Patnaik, were imprisoned.
Strict censorship was imposed on newspapers and other media organisations. The period also saw major constitutional changes, including the 42nd Constitutional Amendment.
Controversial programmes associated with Sanjay Gandhi, including coercive sterilisation campaigns and slum demolitions, also generated widespread public anger.
How Did the Emergency End?
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 general election. Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi both lost their seats.
The Janata Party came to power, and Morarji Desai became India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister.
