The Delhi government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has announced a new pension scheme for individuals who were political prisoners during the Emergency period of 1975-1977. This decision, revealed at an event at the Delhi Secretariat, aims to honor those who were incarcerated for upholding democracy during a tumultuous period in India's history.
Chief Minister Gupta criticized previous administrations for neglecting to provide support to these individuals who faced imprisonment during the Emergency, which was imposed by the Congress government under Article 352 of the Constitution. The Emergency, a 21-month period, is often remembered as a dark chapter in Indian democracy due to the widespread restrictions on civil liberties, press freedom, and the mass arrests of political opponents.
The Delhi government's move aligns it with other states, particularly those led by the BJP, such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which already offer similar pension schemes to Emergency-era political prisoners. On March 21st of this year, the Delhi unit of the BJP held a 'Loktantra Vijay Divas' event, which translates to "Democracy Victory Day," to honor those detained during the Emergency, highlighting the importance of this new pension initiative.
Several states across India have implemented pension and support schemes for individuals imprisoned during the Emergency, with varying levels of benefits. For example, Uttar Pradesh provides a monthly pension of ₹20,000, along with free medical assistance and transportation in government vehicles. Madhya Pradesh gives a monthly pension of ₹30,000 to those who spent more than six months in jail during the Emergency, and ₹10,000 to those who spent less than one month. Odisha, as of January 2025, offers a monthly pension of ₹20,000, including medical expense coverage.
However, not all states have maintained these schemes. In 2020, the Maharashtra government scrapped its pension scheme for Emergency-era prisoners, citing financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The beneficiaries were previously receiving ₹10,000 a month. This decision sparked controversy, with allegations that the scheme, introduced by the previous BJP government, primarily benefited activists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The new pension scheme in Delhi is expected to provide much-needed relief and recognition to individuals who sacrificed their freedom to defend democratic principles during the Emergency. The specific details of the pension amount and eligibility criteria are yet to be fully disclosed, but the announcement has been welcomed by many as a step in the right direction.
