Sonia Gandhi says Emergency was not the right decision, Rajiv had urged waiting for elections

In 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in the country. It is counted among the most controversial decisions in the history of Indian politics. The decision reverberated not only in national politics but also within the Gandhi family.

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has now shared some important memories of that period on the occasion of her new autobiography. She has also acknowledged that the Emergency was a big mistake.

In an interview to the media, Sonia Gandhi spoke about the conditions during the Emergency. According to her, Indira Gandhi was by nature democratic in outlook. But the political circumstances of the time and pressure from senior Congress leaders had put her in a difficult position.

Sonia Gandhi said plainly that the decision to impose the Emergency was not right. She also said that had Sanjay Gandhi been reined in at the right time, the major damage that followed could have been avoided.

According to Sonia Gandhi's recollections, Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi held different views on the matter. During a family meal, Sanjay Gandhi had said it was necessary to stop the Opposition parties, and for this reason he remained insistent on imposing the Emergency.

Rajiv Gandhi, on the other hand, advised waiting for the coming elections rather than taking such a decision in haste. According to Sonia Gandhi's statement, Rajiv's advice was not heeded because of Sanjay Gandhi's influence and the political pressure of the time.

Sonia Gandhi also raised questions about Sanjay Gandhi's role. During the Emergency, Sanjay Gandhi held no official constitutional post or Cabinet position, yet he wielded great influence. Ordinary people suffered heavily from the forced sterilisation campaign and the demolition of slums in Delhi. Citing these events, Sonia Gandhi stressed the need to have kept Sanjay Gandhi in check.

Sonia Gandhi's autobiography, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', is due to be published on November 10, 2026. It contains many personal experiences from her childhood, her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, life in the Gandhi family and her journey in Indian politics.

Sonia Gandhi's remarks on the Emergency decision have brought the political events of 1975 to 1977 back into discussion. They have also brought out the differing views within the Gandhi family on this major decision in the country's history.