Inside the Emergency: The ‘mess’ that triggered India’s darkest hours

Around fifty years ago, students at a government engineering college in Ahmedabad walked out over a steep hike in their monthly food bill. The cause was parochial; the consequences were not. From an OPEC meeting in Vienna in October 1973 to the midnight broadcast on All India Radio on June 25, 1975, a chain of economic shock, popular fury, political mobilisation, and institutional crisis unfolded without interruption. This report reconstructs that chain from primary sources — and asks, whi

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Jyoti Waghmare has lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Women against fellow MP Sanjay Raut. Waghmare accuses Raut of persistent use of abusive language and public insults directed at women representatives. The complaint seeks immediate criminal proceedings, citing Raut's conduct over the past four years as detrimental to Maharashtra's political culture. This action follows Raut's controversial remarks amidst recent party defections.

Hospitals and clinics will now face administrative penalties, not criminal fines, for minor procedural lapses under revised Clinical Establishments Act rules. This move, part of the Jan Vishwas reforms, aims to ease business operations and reduce compliance burdens. The amendments focus on routine, low-risk procedures, shifting enforcement to a structured adjudication process with opportunities for hearings and appeals, while still prioritizing patient safety and quality care.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil apologized to journalists after an aggressive outburst, citing continuous humiliation and repeated questioning. He expressed regret for using inappropriate words in the heat of the moment, but insisted his family be kept out of political discourse. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde suggested Patil's reaction stemmed from personal attacks, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated he would gather more information before commenting.

Sharad Pawar confidently asserts his Nationalist Congress Party (SP) will remain united, dismissing claims of MPs defecting to Ajit Pawar's faction. His daughter, Supriya Sule, challenged the accuser to name the alleged defectors. This comes amid fears of poaching, following similar splits in Shiv Sena (UBT) and Trinamool Congress, where rebels exploited the Anti-defection Act's loopholes. Pawar's party, with 8 MPs and 10 MLAs, faces vulnerability.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of shielding "big fish" in the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case. An FIR has been registered against eight individuals, but Yadav claims evidence might be tampered with under the guise of an SIT probe, suggesting a pre-determined outcome. This follows allegations of misappropriated funds, prompting a state-formed SIT and a new Supreme Court petition for a CBI-led investigation.

As Punjab gears up for the 2027 elections, a complex and competitive scenario unfolds. The AAP government grapples with controversies stemming from a sacrilege video and growing defections. In contrast, Congress is mired in its own turmoil, leaving room for the BJP to assert itself through robust campaigning efforts. The Shiromani Akali Dal’s fight for relevance adds another layer to a politically charged atmosphere, making the upcoming elections unpredictable.

Referring to points raised by legislators during the budget discussion, the minister said members had highlighted alleged irregularities in areas including land allotment, wetlands management and the implementation of development projects. According to Dasgupta, the proposed white papers would seek to fix accountability while offering the public a clearer understanding of the state's financial position and the governance challenges inherited by the present administration.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney on Tuesday bombing the "deadliest attack in our country’s history", saying that Canada stands against violent extremism in all its forms. "Forty-one years ago today, the bombing of Air India Flight 182 claimed 329 innocent lives, including 268 Canadians. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canada’s history," the prime minister said in a statement.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil allegedly threatened journalists with dire consequences when questioned about his daughter's political stance and previous controversial remarks. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde intervened, urging Patil to express regret for his outburst, suggesting it was a reaction to personal attacks. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated he would gather more information before commenting on the incident.

A Jaipur woman, Babita Dhakad alias 'Khadija', was apprehended planning a trip to Pakistan to marry a close associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Officials revealed she intended to enter Pakistan via Nepal, having been under militaey surveillance for several weeks. According to investigator, her electronic devices showed contact with multiple Pakistani numbers, including those linked to terror operatives.

A Jaipur woman, Babita Dhakad alias 'Khadija', was apprehended planning a trip to Pakistan to marry a close associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Officials revealed she intended to enter Pakistan via Nepal, having been under militaey surveillance for several weeks. According to investigator, her electronic devices showed contact with multiple Pakistani numbers, including those linked to terror operatives.

In a groundbreaking initiative named 'Operation Chakra-VI', the CBI targeted an extensive digital scam network spanning 16 states. With operations conducted at 80 locations, this syndicate allegedly swindled many by impersonating officials and creating a deceptive Supreme Court website. Authorities arrested two suspects who laundered approximately Rs 2 crore through shell companies and mule accounts, utilizing forged court documents to exploit victims.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met President Droupadi Murmu amidst strong speculation of an imminent Union Cabinet reshuffle. This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with the President. The potential changes are fueled by the non-renomination of Rajya Sabha members George Kurian and Ravneet Singh, and some ministers taking up key party roles in their home states, indicating a significant shake-up in the government's composition.

The Indian government reiterated that an Indian passport is not definitive proof of citizenship. This clarification aligns with the Passports Act and legal precedents, emerging after opposition concerns regarding the MEA's comments on passports being primarily for travel. The BJP stood by this view, highlighting that citizenship is established through the Citizenship Act and various supporting documents, rather than solely through passport status.

Keyi Panyor district in Arunachal Pradesh faces severe devastation from flash floods caused by relentless rainfall. Many homes are lost, and critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been obliterated. Tragically, one life has been claimed, and four individuals remain unaccounted for. Rescue efforts, spearheaded by the IAF and SDRF, are actively helping residents and delivering essential supplies.

The Supreme Court has deferred a hearing on a plea seeking a court-monitored probe into alleged financial irregularities within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This comes as a state-formed SIT submitted its preliminary report on donation embezzlement, recommending administrative reforms. The probe was initiated after the trust itself requested an inquiry into alleged theft and mismanagement, sparking political debate.

For the first time, NCERT has introduced a chapter on the Emergency from 1975-77 in the Class IX curriculum. This segment sheds light on the suspension of fundamental rights and censorship, underscoring the crucial challenges faced by Indian democracy. The chapter, titled 'Understanding Society: India and Beyond,' also recognizes Jayaprakash Narayan's influence and the subsequent elections, celebrating democracy's resilience after 51 years since the Emergency was declared.

Farmers in Punjab protested the proposed India-US trade agreement, fearing it will harm domestic agriculture, labourers, and small traders. Burning effigies of leaders, they demanded the pact's cancellation, citing concerns over increased imports and unfair competition from subsidized American farmers. This opposition echoes past farm law debates, with calls for MSP guarantees and irrigation reforms.