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Class 12 Political Science Chapter 15 The Crisis of Democratic Order
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VERY LONG ANSWER
Q. 1. Analyse any six consequences of the emergency declared on 25th June, 1975.
Ans : The following are the consequences of emergency:
(i) Curtailment of Rights :- During the emergency the government gets the power to curtail or restrict all or any of the fundamental Rights incorporated in Indian constitution.
(ii) Use of Preventive Detention :- The government made extensive use of preventive Detention laws during emergency. Under this provision, people are arrested and detained not because they have committed any offence, but on the apprehension that they may commit an offence.
(iii) Return of Awards :- Many recipient of civilian awards were returned to central government as a mark of protest towards emergency. People who received Bharat Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Bhusan, Padma Bibhusan, returned the award to show their grievance towards the law composed by Indira Gandhi,
(iv) Centralised Administration :- As soon as emergency was proclaimed the whole administration came under central government. This structure is followed as a part of constitutional provision, According to Indian constitution when any sort of emergency is proclaimed the whole of India transforms into centralised federation.
(v) Communal Organisations Banned : All Hindu and Muslim communal organisations during emergency were banned to maintain communal harmony in the society. Some of such communal organisations were RSS, Jamaat-e-Islami etc.
(vi) Central Amendments :- Several constitutional amendments wer carried out during emergency. Indira Gandhi increased the tenure of Lok Sabha, divested the authority of the supreme court regarding election of president, vice president, prime minister and speaker of Lok Sabha.
Q. 2. What were the reasons which led to the midterm election in 1980.
Ans : The Janata party lacked direction, leadership, and a common programme. The Janata party government could not bring about a fundamental change in policies from those pursued by the congress. The Janata party spilt and the government which was led by Morarji Desai lost its majority in less than 18 months. Another government headed by charan Singh was formed on the assurance of the support of the congress party. But the congress party later decided to withdraw its support with the result that the charan Singh government could remain in power for just about four months. Fresh Lok Sabha elections were held in January 1980 in which the Janata Party suffered a comprehensive defeat, especially in north India where it had swept the polls in 1977. Congress party led by Indira Gandhi nearly repeated its great victory in 1971. It won 353 seats and came back to power. At the end we reach on this conclusion that Janata Party formulated its government first time but it did not take the complete term due to the internal succession of the party leaders and members.
Q. 3. The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Government. Why was it appointed and what were its findings ?
Ans : When Janata party came into power after the 1977, elections, the government appointed a commission of inquiry headed by Justice J.C. Shah, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India, to inquire into several aspects of allegations of abuse of authority, excesses and malpractices committed and action taken in the wake of the emergency proclaimed in June 1975. The commission examined various kinds of evidences and called many witnesses to give testimonies.
They even called Indira Gandhi who appeared before the commission but refused to answer any questions. The Shah commission estimated that nearly one lakh eleven thousand persons were arrested and put in jails. Several restrictions were put on the press. The Report mentions that the General Manager of the Delhi power Supply corporation received verbal orders from the office of the Lt. Governor of Delhi to cut electricity to all newspaper presses at 2 a.m. on 26th June, 1975. Electricity was restored two to three days later after the censorship machinery had been set up. During that period the role of Sanjay Gandhi, Prime Minister Indira gandhi’s son in demolition and forced sterilization in delhi also became very controversial. The government of India accepted the findings, observations and recommendations contained in its report and placed them in the two houses of parliament.
Q. 4. The 1977 elections for the first time saw the opposition coming into power at the centre. What would you consider as the reasons for this development ?
Ans : In the election of 1977, both the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, the congress party lost its dominance. Not only it lost dominance, it got a crushing defeat at the hands of the newly emerged Janata Party. The following highlighting causes were responsible for the defeat of the congress or the victory of the Janata Party in the 1977 election.
For the first time in the history of force india, internal emergency was imposed by Mrs. Indira gandhi. Immediately after the imposition of emergency the imposition of emergency, the leaders of all the opposition parties including J.P. Narayan were thrown behind the bars. The real motive behind the declaration of emergency was personal. Mrs Indira Gandhi wants.to stick to the “kursi” of the Prime Minister. Basic liberties of the people were suppressed. No individual or party could utter word against the imposition of emergency or the excess committed by the government. During emergency Sanjay Gandhi appeared as the extra constitutional centre of power. It was he who controlled the administration of India. During emergency, various black acts were passed by the Indira government. The people suspected of anything against the government. The people suspected of anything against the government could be corrected and thrown behind the bars without any trial under the MISA. The life, liberty, respect and property of no person was considered safe. Indira government lowered the position of the Judiciary through the 42nd amendment.
In fact, Judiciary was subordinated to the executive. The scope of Judicial review was limited to a great extent. At the instance of Sanjay Gandhi, various states particularly haryana resorted to compulsory sterilization. Buses were stopped and sent to Hospital for sterilization of the passengers. The condition of the people of India had become very pitiable due to the continuous rise in prices. People were very sore with the congress government abolished bonus to the employee of public sector during emergency.
As such they were very sore with the congress government. J.P. Narayan emerged as a leader of Indian Unrest. He was the most respected leader after Nehru. People came to realise that they can fall back on J.P. Narayan after dislodging the congress from power. Emergency and the measures adopted during emergency by the congress government were responsible for the defeat of the congress party in 1977’s election.
Q. 5. Discuss the affects of emergency on the following aspects of our policy.
(a) Effects on civil liberties for citizens.
Ans : Effects on Civil Liberties for Citizens :- During emergency the government made extensive use of preventive Detention which made large scale arrests. But the arrested political workers could not challenge their arrests through Habeas corpus Petition. The government also gets the power to curtail or restrict all or any of the fundamental rights during emergency.
(b) Impact on relationship between executive and Judiciary.
Ans : Impact of on Relationship between Executive and Judiciary: In the back ground of the ruling of the Allahabad High court in the Indira Gandhi case an amendment was made declaring that elections of Prime Minister, President and vice president could not be challenged in court. The 42nd amendment passed during emergency also brought many changes in the constitution like duration of the legislatures, election can be postponed by one year during an emergency.
(c) Functioning of Mass Media.
Ans : Functioning of Mass Media :- Deciding to use its special powers under the emergency provisions the government suspended the freedom of the press. Newspapers were asked to get prior approval for all materials to be published in press consortship, Protests and Strikes and Public agitations were also disallowed.
(d) Working of the Police and Bureaucracy.
Ans : Working of the Police and Bureaucracy :- The police and administration (bureaucracy) become extremely powerful during emergency. They turned into political instrument of the ruling party and became vulnerable to political pressures.
Q. 6. In what way did the imposition of emergency affect the party system in India? Elaborate your answer with example.
Ans : On the night of 25 June. 1975 president of India declared emergency on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Emergency affected the working of political parties in many ways. Almost all the leaders of opposition parties were arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971 (MISA).
This affected the working of political parties. Agitation, strikes, demonstration etc were not allowed. All liberties given under Article 19 were suspended. Due to censorship on the freedom of press and other restrictions democratic functioning of political parties were badly affected. The public opinion was against the congress Government. Jaya Prakash Narayan became a symbol of democratic values. Moreover the imposition of emergency and their subsequent internment finally made political leaders to realise that they will simply rot if they do not stand united against the authoritarian style of Indira Gandhi. Hence the leaders of various parties that came in contact with one another in jails resolved to form one party i.e. Janata party.
That is why it is held Janata Party ensured that non-Congress votes would not be divided. The 1977 election proved referendum on emergency experiences and masses rejected the congress party.
Q. 7. Explain briefly the policies and programmes of Janata Party.
Ans : The Janata of Chandra Shekhar is a ‘rump’ of the 1977-79 Janata party which came into existence in the wake of ‘Emergency’. According to some critics the phenomenon that was Janata party was the result of a national struggle.
The main programmes and policies of Janata Party was democratic socialism, civil liberties and cleaner politics etc. It offers something distinctive and attractive and regains organisational vitality to its people. It goes to the credit of Janata Party that it has not lost its national alternative to the congress (1). It has in its ranks many nationally respected politicians Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, Mr. Madhu Dandavate, Mr. Surindera Mohan, Mr. Madhu Limaye and Chander Shekher- who are known to be respects of norms and values in the conduct of public affairs. Another strong point in its favour is that it doesn’t provoke violent antipathy. It can be at the of a national coalition of anti congress forces.
Some policies and programmes of Janata government are :
(i) The Janata Party wishes to give the country a government ‘responsive’ to the people and respectful to its constitution and democratic freedoms.
(ii) It promises to make a common cause with the people for the creation of a nation united by equality, justice and egalitarianism and governed by the true representative of the people through democratic processes.
(iii) There is a distinct stress on social, political and administrative reforms as, for instance, in the offer of a package of measures starting with a principled and national distribution of powers and functions between the centre and the states, on the one hand, and within the state upto the village on the other.
(iv) The theme of decentralisation is also reflected in the proposed steps for economic reform, a review of measures like octroi, income-tax and multiple taxes.
(v) There is also a promise to deal with corruption.
Q. 8. Explain any three main outcome of Lok Sabha elections of 1977.
Ans : The true main outcome of Lok Sabha elections of 1977 are:
(i) In the 1977, for the first time since Independence congress didn’t come to power. It is because the entire opposition found a common adversary in congress and its leader Indira Gandhi.
(ii) In the election Janata Party fought for the congress misrule. It was a referendum. Due to detention of people and censorship of press, public opinion was against congress, J.P, ensured that non-congress votes were not divided. Congress won 154 seats in Lok Sabha. Its vote percentage reduced to 35%. The Janata Party and its allies got 330 out of 542 seats. Janata Party got 295 seats and won seats in Bihar, UP, Delhi, Indira Gandhi lost from Rae Bareli and Sanjay Gandhi lost from Amethi.
(iii) The J.P. movements led congress (I) , Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), Bhartiya Lok Dal, Socialist party and congress for dissidents led by Jagjivan Ram to unite under one front or party called the Janata Party. Riding on the wave of anti emergency Janata party won a majority in 1977 election in the Lok Sabha and formed a government under Morarji Desai.
Q. 9. Analyse the conflict between the Judiciary and parliament of India in 1973.
Ans : Before the declaration of emergency it was a period when the government and the ruling party had many differences with the judiciary. Three constitutional issues emerged which led to a strain between judiciary, legislature (Parliament) and executive.
(i) Firstly, can the Parliament abridge Fundamental Rights? The Supreme Court said it cannot.
(ii) Secondly, can the President curtail the “right to property by making an amendment? Again, the court said that Parliament cannot amend the constitution in such a manner that rights are curtailed.
(iii) Thirdly, the President amended the constitution saying that it can abridge Fundamental Rights for giving effect to Directive Principles of State Policy. But the Supreme Court rejected this provision also.
This led to a crisis as for as the relations between the government and the judiciary were concerned. This is very much proved in the famous Kesavananda Bharati case. In this case, the court give a decision that there are some basic features of the constitution and Parliament cannot amend these features.
Besides, two more developments further added to the tension between the judiciary and the executive. Immediately after the Supreme Court’s decision in 1973 in the Kesavananda Bharati case, a vacancy arose for the post of Chief Justice of India and the government set aside the seniority of three judges and appointed justice A.N. Ray as the Chief Justice of India. This appointment became politically controversial because all three judges who were superseded had given ruling against the stand of the government.
Another jolt came as the ruling of the High Court which declared Indira Gandhi’s Lok Sabha election invalid.
In this way, the constitutional interpretations and political ideologies were getting up rapidly.
Q. 10. Examine the legacy of the Emergency of 1975.
Ans : The Legacy of the emergency of 1975 was felting every sphere of peoples life and the politics of the nation as well :
(i) Between the elections of 1977 and 1980 the party system had changed dramatically. Since 1969, the congress party had starting shedding its character as an Umbrella Party which accommodated leaders and workers of different ideological dispensations and view points. The congress party now identified itself with a particular ideology, claiming to be the only socialist and pro-poor party.
(ii) With the change in the nature of the congress party, other opposition parties relied more and more on non-congressism.
(iii) In an indirect manner the issue of welfare of the backward castes also began to dominate politics since 1977. For instance the Northern states elected non congress governments in which the leaders of the backward- castes played an important role.
(iv) Besides, the emergency and the period around it can be describe as a period of constitutional crisis. It had its origin in the constitutional battle over the jurisdiction of the parliament, and the judiciary.
(v) Over the other hand, it was also a period of political crisis. The party in power had absolute majority, yet its leadership decided to suspend the democratic process.
(vi) Another critical issue was the role and extent of mass protest in a parliamentary democracy. The emergency period saw a dar tension between institution based democracy and democracy based on spontaneous popular participation for which the party system was to be blamed.
Q. 11. The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Party Govt, Why was it appointed and what were its finding ?
Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No. 3. (Very Long Answer).
Q. 12. What were the main decisions of Janata Party after forming the govt. in 1977 ?
Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No. 7. (Very Long Answer).
Q. 13. How did the emergency of 1975 benefit the Indian democratic ? setup.
Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No.10. (Very Long Answer)
Q. 14. How did the emergency (1975-77) affect the fundamental rights of the Indian citizen ? Give example ?
Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No. 2. (Long Answer)
Q. 15. Explain Briefly the impact of the 1977 elections?
Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No. 8. (Long Answer).
Q. 16. Analyse the conflict between the Judiciary and Parliament of India in 1973 ?
Ans : In the background of the ruling of the Allahabad High Court in the Indira Gandhi case an amendment was made declaring that elections of Prime Minister, President and Vice-President could not be challenged in the judiciary. The 42nd. amendment of Constitution of India passed during he emergency also brought many changes in the constitution like duration of the legislature, election can be postponed by one years during an emergency.
Q. 17. “Indira Gandhi was left with no option except to impose Emergency”- Explain ?
Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No.7. (Short Answer)
Q. 18. Explain briefly the Naxalite Movement ?
Ans : A peasant uprising took place in 1967 in Naxalbari area of West Bengal. This movement was led by local cadres of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), in 1969 they formed a new Communist Party, known as (Marxist Leninist). They decided to adopt guerrilla warfare. This is known as the Naxalite Movement which used force and violence.
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