Indira Gandhi imposed a state of emergency (known as The Emergency) on 25 June 1975 which was withdrawn abruptly on 21 March 1977. Why was it lifted?
Writes R.Guha about the withdrawal in India after Gandhi:
On 18 January 1977, Prime Minister announced that the Parliament be dissolved and fresh elections held. This came as a surprise to her political opponents, who were let out of their cells even as the announcement was being made on All-India Radio. And, from all accounts, it came as a shock to Sanjay, who too had not been informed before hand. The term of the present Parliament could have been extended, year after year. The underground resistance had been fully tamed. And yet Mrs Gandhi decided, suddenly and without consulting anyone, to return India to democracy.