New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the 1975 emergency, which was declared 47 years ago, as a "dark chapter" in the country's history on Saturday. "The imposition of emergency in India 47 years ago is a dark chapter in the country's history that will never be forgotten. On this day, all Indians should not only commit to defending democracy but also pledge to uphold the dignity of the constitution and its institutions "Singh took to Twitter. The-then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency for 21 months, from 1975 to 1977. The Emergency, declared by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution in response to the prevailing "internal disturbance," lasted from June 25, 1975, until March 21, 1977. The order gave the then-Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, suspending elections and restricting civil liberties. The final decision to declare an emergency was proposed by Indira Gandhi, agreed upon by the President, and ratified by the Cabinet and Parliament (from July to August 1975), on the grounds that the Indian state faced imminent internal and external threats. The Emergency is regarded as one of the most contentious periods in independent India's history. 'Agneepath scheme will be returned like agricultural laws', this leader openly threatened PM Modi Big news for the youth preparing for army recruitment, must read Now shivraj government has made this new promise about agneepath scheme