New Delhi: Sixty-eight-year-old Rajan Dhingra wasted no time as Delhi’s political fortunes turned after 27 years and BJP returned to power. After 12 states, it is now Delhi’s turn to recognise Emergency-era prisoners like him.
He is preparing to meet the newly elected Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, hoping she would finally fulfill the long-standing demand for pension and recognition for Emergency-era prisoners—a promise made to him during a meeting with BJP state president Virendra Sachdeva.
Former Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency—the 21-month period that has been called a dark chapter in Indian democracy. It is remembered for widespread restriction of civil liberties, press freedom and mass arrests and incarceration of political prisoners and cancelation of elections. Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, PM Narendra Modi declared 25 June as the ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Murder of Constitution Day).
Benefits by various state governments range from monthly pensions to discounts and posthumous family grants. Some states are also offering free health treatment and transportation.
RTIs and more red tape
Odisha announced monthly pensions for Emergency prisoners in January 2025. Twelve states—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Assam, and Jharkhand—already provide pensions and benefits to them, Delhi does not. The first such scheme was introduced in UP by the Samajwadi Party in 2006, followed by BJP-led states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.
“I filed an RTI with Delhi’s jails to get a list of those imprisoned during the Emergency, but they responded saying no such records exist. They directed me to individual district offices instead,” said Dhingra, president of the Loktantra Senani Sangh. He has now started mobilising others who share his cause, holding meetings to strategise their next steps.
Yet, the RTI reply cannot douse his mission.
“I’ve also contacted the police, but they told me to search the archives office, where the records might be available. But that means spending hours digging through old files just to find the names,” he added.
Dhingra, who spent 14 months in jail during the Emergency, founded Delhi’s Loktantra Senani Sangh in 2008 to fight for the recognition of those who were imprisoned for opposing Indira Gandhi’s regime.
Now, with the BJP coming to power in Delhi, Dhingra is determined to see the pension scheme introduced in the capital as well.
“It’s not about the money—it’s about respect,” he said. “The Emergency was the second freedom struggle. Our lives were destroyed in the fight to protect democracy. Many of us are no longer alive, but their families remain. They deserve recognition for their sacrifice.”
Apart from the BJP, parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha also implemented this scheme when they were in power. In states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, the scheme was discontinued when the Congress came to power but was resumed by the BJP when it returned. By comparison, over 1.7 lakh people in India receive a freedom fighters’ pension, with an average monthly payout of Rs 30,000–Rs 35,000, depending on the state and central schemes.
“In Himachal, it was resumed after a High Court order, so the government had no choice but to restart it,” said Dhingra.
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Odisha
Odisha is the latest state to start the pension scheme, in January 2025. The state government has unveiled a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 for individuals who were imprisoned during the Emergency period between 1975 and 1977. This financial assistance will also includes coverage for medical expenses, providing comprehensive support for eligible beneficiaries. The announcement was formalised through a notification issued by the state’s Home Department on 13 January 2025. The scheme aims to recognise and honour the sacrifices of those detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during this challenging phase of India’s history.
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is one of the highest-paying states. It gives monthly Rs 30,000 to those who spent more than six months in jail during the Emergency. Those who spent less than one month get Rs 10,000. It was initiated on 1 April 2008 by the BJP government. Apart from the pension, the ex-prisoners also get a 40 per cent discount on hotel bookings. When they die, their family receives 50 per cent of the pension and assistance of Rs 5,000 at the time of death.
Uttar Pradesh
Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav started the pension scheme in 2006. At present, Emergency prisoners get Rs 20,000 every month, along with free medical assistance and transport in government vehicles. They are posthumously awarded a state honour after their death, and their surviving spouse continues to get the full pension. When Yogi Adityanath came to power, the pension was Rs 15,000, and he increased it to Rs 20,000 in 2018. It places a financial burden of Rs 35.35 crore every year on the state government.
Chhattisgarh
The Chhattisgarh government pays Rs 25,000 to those who spent more than six months in jail and Rs 8,000 to those who spent less than one month. In 2018, the Congress government revoked this, but the BJP government resumed it with arrears after coming to power.
Bihar
In Bihar, it is called J.P. Senani Samman, and it started on 1 June 2009. Those who spend more than six months get Rs 15,000 and free medical help.
Haryana
Under the Haryana Loktantra Senani scheme, people who went to jail during the Emergency get Rs 20,000 every month along with medical and transport services in the state. It started in 2017.
Uttarakhand
Under the Uttarakhand Senani Scheme, Emergency prisoners get Rs 16,000 every month. It began in 2017.
Himachal Pradesh
The pension scheme started in 2021, but the current government shut it down. It was resumed after the High Court order. Emergency prisoners get Rs 11,000 every month.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan launched the scheme in 2008 in Rajasthan, where the government pays Rs 20,000 every month along with a medical fund of Rs 4,000. When Congress came to power, they discontinued it. The BJP resumed it in 2024.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Loktantra Senani was introduced in 2008. “Loktantra Senani” who spent more than six months receive Rs 10,000 every month, and those who spent less than one month get Rs 5,000. It was stopped by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2020. It was resumed later.
Assam
Assam launched the scheme in June 2023, and it pays Rs 15,000 to those who went to jail during the Emergency.
Jharkhand
Jharkhand pays Rs 5,000 every month to those who went to jail during the Emergency.
“It was not exclusively for us. They had included people who fought for Jharkhand’s statehood status,” said Dhingra.
The Loktantra Senani Sangh is preparing a proposal for implementing such a pension in Kerala, Karnataka, and Delhi.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)