1. Context

• Written on July 4, U.S. Independence Day, the editorial draws parallels between India and the U.S. in defending democracy from internal authoritarian threats.
  
  
• Uses historical parallels like India’s Emergency (1975) and present-day warnings against majoritarian misuse of power in both countries.
  
  

⚖️ 2. India’s Democratic Backsliding

• Emergency in India (1975) imposed by Indira Gandhi after being found guilty of electoral fraud.
  
  
  • Press censored, opposition jailed, civil liberties suspended.
    
    
  • 100,000+ people imprisoned under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
    
    
• Constitutional machinery misused to declare “internal emergency” for political survival.
  
  

📜 3. Parallels with the U.S.

• Judge Luttig’s warning on July 4, 2024, on potential “end of democracy” due to populism and rejection of constitutional norms in the U.S.
  
  
• Fear of institutional erosion and rise of executive dominance echoes India’s experience in 1975.
  
  
• S. Supreme Court now heavily tilted towards right; parallels with institutional capture.
  
  

🧠 4. Lessons from Emergency & Authoritarianism

• Democracy is not self-preserving; it must be guarded constantly.
  
  
• India’s example shows:
  
  
  • Authoritarian drift can be reversed, but only when people and institutions resist.
    
    
  • Judiciary’s delayed response in 1975 was a historic failure (ADM Jabalpur case).
    
    
• Freedom must be vigilantly defended through institutional checks and active citizenry.
  
  

📢 5. Warning Signs in Democracies Today

• Suppression of dissent, concentration of power, disinformation campaigns, and control over media/institutions are red flags.
  
  
• Amendments (e.g., 42nd Constitutional Amendment) post-Emergency aimed at curbing democratic space.
  
  

✊ 6. Call to be Vigilant

• Democracy thrives when:
  
  
  • Separation of powers is respected.
    
    
  • Rule of law and independent judiciary function effectively.
    
    
  • People and institutions say ‘no’ to power misuse.
    
    
• Authoritarianism starts subtly: slow erosion of norms, not always with coups or violence.
  
  

📌 UPSC Mains GS Paper II Question (2025-style)

Q. “Democracy is not self-perpetuating; it must be actively defended.” In light of this statement, critically examine how India’s experience with Emergency (1975) offers vital lessons for defending democratic institutions today. (15M, 250 words)