Chapter 13 Crisis Of Constitutional Order

 Q.No.1:- What were the reasons which led to the Mid-Term elections

in 1980?

Ans: - In 1980 mid-term elections were held due to following reasons.

1- Janata party assumed office in March. 1977, the Janata party was

expected to solve almost all the problems that the congress rule created or

could not solve. Political, social and economic problems of the people. The

Janata party government could do nothing for the common man. Within 28

months in office, the Janata party government could no practicable scheme

for bringing an end to unemployment.

2- Within a few months of its coming into power the Janata party showed

signs of its breakdown. Smt. Indira Gandhi predicted that the Janata party

will dissolve under the strain of its own infighting and this is what has come

out true. The various constituent parties of the Janata party always

continued to work on the basis of factionalism.

3- Due to split within Janata party Prime Minister Mr. Morarji Desai lost

majority in the Lok Sabha and he resigned.

4- Ch. Charan Singh formed the govt. with the support of the congress

party. But congress party later withdraws the support and there was

downfall of Ch. Charan Singhs government in 1979, it led to the mid-term

elections in 1980.

Q.No.2:- The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata

Party government. Why was it appointed and what where its findings?

OR

Write a short note on Shah Commission?

Ans: - In March 1977 Janata party government was formed at the Centre.

In May 1977, the Janata party government appointed a commission of

inquiry headed by justice J.C. Shah retired chief Justice 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 on the 25 June 1975. The Commission

examined many witnesses. Even Smt. Indira Gandhi was summoned

before the commission but she refused to answer any question. Shah

Commission submitted its observation and recommendation in two interim

reports. Shah commission estimated that nearly one lakh eleven thousand

people were arrested under preventive detention laws. Freedom of the

press was crushed and many restrictions were imposed on mass-media.

The Janata government accepted the report of the shah commission and it

was tabled, before both the houses of parliament.

Q.No.3:- What reasons did the government give for declaring national

emergency in 1975?

OR

What were the reasons behind declaring National Emergency?

Ans: - Besides powers in normal times the president of India has

emergency powers as well. According to article 352 of the Indian

Constitution, if the president is satisfied that a grave emergency exists

where by the security of India or any part of India is threatened by war,

external aggression or armed rebellion, may proclaim a state of emergency

. Ever since the operation of the constitution, national emergency has been

declared three times. Third time internal emergency was declared on the

night of 25 June 1975 and this emergency was removed on 21st March

1977. Emergency was justified by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when

she gave a speech in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 1975 and said, “The action

is totally within our constitutional framework and it was under taken in order

not to destroy the constitution but to preserve the constitution, to preserve

and safeguard our democracy”.

National emergency was declared due to following reasons:-

1-Economic Crisis: - War took place between India and Pakistan in Dec.

1971 and Pakistan was defeated in the war. But this war had taken a heavy

strain on Indias economy. More than eight million (80 Lakh) people crossed

the East Pakistan border in India. Oil prices increased in the international

market and this led to an increase in the prices of other commodities, in

1973 prices increased about 23% & in 1974 about 30 percent. Due to

failure of monsoons in 1972-73, downfall in agriculture production, poverty

and unemployment was very high. Hardships of masses increased and

there was general atmosphere of dissatisfaction among the masses.

2-Railway employees strike: - In April 1974 there was a high strike of

railway employees which affected Indian economy. In January 1974,

students in Gujarat started agitation against 20% hike in hostel food prices

and shortage of food in the I.D.Collage of engineering. But very soon it

became a big movement known as Nav Nirman movement.

3-Bihar Movement: - It was started by students of Bihar against misrule,

unemployment, rising prices corruption etc. later on this movement was led

by great socialist leader Jayprakash Narayan. The movement of

Jayprakash Narayan is also known as total revolution aims at bringing

about a revolutionary change in all aspects of life of both individual and

society. Jayprakash Narayan also discussed the economic and social

problems of backward classes and tribal people.

Q.No4:- The 1977 elections for the first time saw the opposition

coming into power at the center. What would you consider as the

reasons for the development?

OR

What were the causes for the victory of Janata Party in 1977 elections

?

Ans: - In the elections of the 1977, both to the Lok Sabha and state

assemblies, the congress party lost its dominance. Not only it lost

dominance, it also got a crushing defeat at the hands of the newly emerged

Janata party. The following factors were responsible for the defeat of the

congress and the victory of Janata party in the 1977 elections.

1- Excesses during emergency: -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 govt.

2- Rising prices: - 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 over this issue.

3- Abolition of Bonus: - The congress government abolished bonus to the

employees of public sector during emergency. As such they were very sore

with the congress government.

4- Sanjay Gandhi as the extra constitutional center of power: - During

emergency Sanjay Gandhi appeared as the extra constitutional center of

power. It was he, who controlled the administration of India.

Q.No.5:- Discuss the effects of emergency on the following aspects of

our polity:-

1- Effects on civil liberties for citizens.

2- Functioning of mass-media.

3- Working of the police and bureaucracy.

Ans: - Effects of emergency are given as under; -

1- Effects on civil Liberties for citizens: - Fundamental rights given

under Article 19 (six freedoms) were automatically suspended. The

suspension of Art. 19 continue until the proclamation of emergency ends.

But according to 44th amendment the liberties given in Art. 19 will become

suspended only in case of a proclamation of emergency issued on the

ground of war or aggression and not in case of a proclamation of

emergency issued on the ground of armed rebellion.

2- Functioning of Mass Media: - During emergency the government has a

power to suspend the normal functioning of mass-media. In 1975 during

emergency the govt. suspended the freedom of the press. Newspapers

were asked to get prior approval for all material to be published. Press

censorship was enforced. Magazines like the Seminar and the Mainstream

were closed down rather than submitting to censorship. Many journalists

were arrested for writing against the emergency.

3- Working of police and Bureaucracy: -During emergency police and

bureaucracy are totally committed to the executive. Their prime duty is to

follow the order of the executive. Thus both worked according to the wishes

of government.

Q.No.6:- In What way did the imposition of emergency affect the party

system in India? Elaborate answer with examples?

Ans: - On the night of June 25, 1975 President of India declared

emergency on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Emergency

affected the working of political parties in many ways;

1- Almost all the leaders of opposition parties were arrested under the

maintenance of internal Security act of 1971(MISA). This affected the

working of political parties agitation, strikes demonstrations, 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. Jay Prakash Narayan became a symbol

of democratic values.

2- Moreover, the imposition of emergency and their subsequent internment

finally made political leaders to realize 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 that the

Janata party was born in Jails.

3- The formation of 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. Thus imposition of

emergency affected the party system in India.

Q.7:- Explain the following terms. (V.V.IMP).

(1) Committed Bureaucracy & Judiciary.

(2) Main causes of emergency declared in 1975.

(3) Bihar Movement. (4) Nav Nirman movement or Gujarat movement.

(5) Civil liberties organization. (6) Janata government.

(7) Consequences OR Effects of National emergency of 1975.

Ans: - (1) Committed Bureaucracy & Judiciary:- Committed

Bureaucracy & Judiciary Means that bureaucracy & Judiciary which is

connected with the principles & policies of a particular party and acts

according to the directives of the same party. The primary aim of committed

bureaucracy & Judiciary is to co-operate in the achievements of partys

objectives. For example China & former Soviet Union have committed

bureaucracy & Judiciary.

(2) Main causes of national emergency of 1975:-

(I) Economic crises & Dis-satisfaction of people due to poverty & un-

employment

(II) Railway employees strike of 1974.

(III) Gujarat movement & Bihar movement of 1974.

(IV) Allahabad High courts Judgment invalidating Smt. Indira Gandhis 1971

election.

(3) Bihar movement: - Bihar movement was started by the students of

Bihar in 1974 against price rising, un-employment, food shortage,

corruption etc. These students invited Jay Prakash Narayan (socialist

leader) to lead the movement. He accepted the invitation & led the

movement & demanded the resignation of congress government in Bihar.

In 1975 J.P. Narayan led a peoples march to the parliament & was

supported by non-congress opposition political parties.

(4) Nav-Nirman movement or Gujarat movement: - Gujarat movement

was started by the students of Gujarat in January 1974 against price rising,

un-employment food shortage & corruption in high places. This movement

was supported by opposition parties & demanded the resignation of

congress government. Presidents rule was imposed in Gujarat & fresh

election were held in which congress was badly defeated.

(5) Civil liberties organization: - These organizations were the end result

of emergency of 1975. The peoples union for civil liberties (PUCL) &

peoples union for democratic rights (PUDR) are two such organizations

which were formed in the post emergency phase.

(6) Janata government or Janata party: -Janata party was formed in May

1974, but practically it came into existence in Jan 1977. It was born in Jails

during national emergency of 1974. This party was formed by merging four

political parties,

congress (O), Bhartiya Jan Singh, Lok-Dal & socialist party in January

1977. The Janata party got tremendous success in Lok-Sabha election in

March 1977 and formed the government under the Prime Minister ship of

Morarji Desai.

(7) Consequences or effects of national emergency of 1975; - Following

were the consequences of national emergency of 1975;

(1) Preventive detention laws were enacted.

(2) Fundamental rights were suspended.

(3) Strikes were banned.

(4) Political leaders of opposition parties were put behind bars.