"Emergency : women's Silent Resistance to Public Awakening"

The night of June 25, 1975, stands as one of the darkest in the history of Indian democracy, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency. Citing “internal disturbance” under Article 352 of the Constitution, civil liberties were suspended, press freedom was crushed, and thousands of political activists were imprisoned without trial. During this turbulent period, members of the RSS, Jan Sangh, ABVP, socialist groups, and even left-wing student activists were detained in large numbers.

In this historic crisis, when male leadership was forcibly silenced or imprisoned, Indian women assumed an invisible yet powerful role. They were not mere victims of the Emergency — they emerged as organizers, messengers, protectors, and resisters.

Thousands of RSS, Jan Sangh, and socialist activists went underground. During this time, it was the women of their families — mothers, wives, sisters — who not only held the households together but also faced surveillance, interrogations, and threats from the government.

These women delivered food and clothing to imprisoned relatives, but they also became carriers of secret messages, acted as intelligence links, and maintained communication between underground networks. Many organized covert meetings, printed pamphlets, and created public opinion against the unconstitutional acts of the government.

Organizations like Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women's wing of Jan Sangh, ABVP’s female student units, and others conducted secret meetings to educate young women in the values of truth, patriotism, discipline, sacrifice, and courage.

Many women were themselves imprisoned. In cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, Bhopal, Pune, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Raipur, Delhi, and Ajmer, a large number of women were arrested under Article 21 violations for distributing pamphlets titled "Save the Dignity of Parliament" or "Restore Democracy."

During this time, the government used All India Radio and newspapers to spread false propaganda. In response, women took the responsibility of disseminating true information.

Notable workers of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti like Rekha Didi (Pune), Padma Tandon (Delhi), Shobha Joshi (Nagpur), Sushila Jain (Bhopal), and Saroj Bisht (Lucknow) led awareness sessions in neighborhoods, temples, and schools through women empowerment camps, spiritual discourses, and cultural education, awakening resistance against authoritarian rule.

Many women spent months in prison. There, they studied Hindu scriptures, organized prayer groups, sang bhajans, and held intellectual discussions. JP’s Jail Diary remains a historic testimony to that time.

With press censorship in place, women began producing handwritten newsletters. In cities like Delhi, Banaras, and Pune, educated young women collaborated to secretly publish bulletins. These carried the voices of leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Nanaji Deshmukh, and Deendayal Upadhyay to the people.

Emergency awakened in women the realization that democracy is not merely the right to vote, but a continuous process of cultural and civic awakening. Inspired by this belief, many women dedicated their lives to education, service, and self-reliance.

After the Emergency ended and the Janata Party came to power in 1977, numerous women established schools, hostels, service centers, and self-defense training units to empower society through strong and aware womanhood.

Some notable examples include:

Ms. Leelavati Singh (Lucknow) was imprisoned for six months for distributing pamphlets. While in jail, she continued to teach young girls songs, yoga, and patriotism.

Prof. Savitri Menon (Kerala) encouraged her students to fight for democratic values; many faced suspension for their participation.

Mrs. Shanta Devi (Lakhimpur) opened her home for secret RSS meetings, sheltering underground workers despite personal risk.

The women of the Emergency era teach us that when a woman rises, the nation awakens. Democracy is not preserved merely through laws but through moral and cultural consciousness — which these women embodied.

As we reflect in 2025 on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, it is essential to recognize that these women not only kept democracy alive but also safeguarded Indian culture, religion, and the dignity of the family. Their roles were invisible — but their impact, indelible.

©® Payal Laxmi Soni

Writer & Critic