The Crisis of Democratic Order

Summary of Key Points

• Emergency Declaration:
  • Declared in 1975 by Indira Gandhi.
  • Led to suspension of fundamental rights.
  • Proclaimed due to perceived internal disturbances.
  • Many opposition leaders arrested.
  • CPI supported the proclamation.
• Odd One Out:
  • The call for ‘Total Revolution’ is the odd one out in the context of the Emergency.
• Matching Events:
  • (a) Total Revolution - ii. Jayaprakash Narayan
  • (b) Garibi hatao - i. Indira Gandhi
  • (c) Students' Protest - iii. Bihar Movement
  • (d) Railway Strike - iv. George Fernandes
• Reasons for Mid-term Elections in 1980:
  • Not specified in the excerpts.
• Shah Commission:
  • Appointed in 1977 to investigate the Emergency's excesses.
  • Findings not detailed in the excerpts.
• 1977 Elections:
  • First time opposition came to power at the Centre.
  • Emergence of a near two-party system.
• Effects of Emergency:
  • Civil liberties severely restricted.
  • Strained relationship between Executive and Judiciary.
  • Mass media faced censorship.
  • Police and Bureaucracy became politically influenced.
• Political Changes:
  • Emergence of Janata Party as a significant opposition force.
  • Congress split into factions post-Emergency.

Lessons from the Emergency

• Difficulty in abolishing democracy in India.
• Awareness of civil liberties increased post-Emergency.
• Need for clearer constitutional provisions regarding Emergency.

Important Events

• Railway Strike of 1974:
  • Nationwide strike led by George Fernandes.
  • Government declared it illegal, leading to arrests.
• Judiciary Conflict:
  • Tensions between Parliament and Judiciary over Fundamental Rights.
• Censorship:
  • Newspapers faced censorship; many journalists arrested.

Conclusion

• The Emergency period highlighted the fragility and resilience of Indian democracy.

The Crisis of Democratic Order

Background to Emergency

• Indira Gandhi's leadership and popularity.
• Bitter and polarized party competition.
• Tensions between government and judiciary.

Economic Context

• Slogan: Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty).
• Economic challenges post-1971 elections:
  • Bangladesh crisis and war with Pakistan.
  • High inflation rates: 23% in 1973, 30% in 1974.
  • Low industrial growth and high unemployment.
  • Agricultural productivity decline due to failed monsoons.

Proclamation of Emergency

• Date: June 25, 1975.
• Reason: Perceived threat of internal disturbances.
• Article invoked: Article 352 of the Constitution.
• Powers concentrated in the hands of the union government.
• Suspension of Fundamental Rights.

Consequences of Emergency

• Arrest of opposition leaders and censorship of press.
• Use of preventive detention.
• Supreme Court's controversial rulings on habeas corpus.
• Emergence of civil liberties organizations post-Emergency.

Lessons of the Emergency

• Difficulty in abolishing democracy in India.
• Need for clarity in Emergency provisions of the Constitution.
• Increased awareness of civil liberties.

Politics after Emergency

• 1977 elections as a referendum on Emergency experience.
• Formation of the Janata Party and opposition unity.
• Voter backlash against perceived anti-democratic actions.

Common Mistakes and Exam Tips

Common Pitfalls

• Misunderstanding the Reasons for Emergency: Students often confuse the reasons for the Emergency declaration. It was proclaimed due to perceived internal disturbances, not solely economic conditions.
• Incorrect Matching of Events and Leaders: Be careful when matching events like Total Revolution and leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan. Ensure you understand who was associated with which movement.
• Ignoring the Impact on Civil Liberties: Many students overlook the significant effects of the Emergency on civil liberties and the relationship between the Executive and Judiciary.

Exam Tips

• Review Key Dates and Events: Familiarize yourself with important dates such as the declaration of Emergency in 1975 and the subsequent elections in 1977.
• Understand the Political Context: Grasp the political dynamics of the time, including the role of the Janata Party and the opposition to Indira Gandhi.
• Analyze the Effects of Emergency: Be prepared to discuss the implications of the Emergency on democracy, civil rights, and the political landscape in India.
• Practice Matching and True/False Questions: Engage with exercises that require you to match events with their descriptions or determine the correctness of statements regarding the Emergency.