Class 12 political science chapter 6 the crisis of democratic order notes

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12 Class Political Science – II Chapter 6 The crisis of democratic order Notes

TextbookNCERT
ClassClass 12
SubjectPolitical Science 2nd book
ChapterChapter 6
Chapter NameThe crisis of democratic order
CategoryPolitical Science
MediumEnglish

Class 12 political science chapter 6 the crisis of democratic order notes here we will be learn about Jaya Prakash Narayan and Total Revolution, Ram Manohar Lohia and Socialism, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Integral Humanism, National Emergency, Democratic Upsurges – Participation of the Adults, Backwards and Youth etc.

Meaning of Emergency : –

🔹 A period of governance that can be proclaimed by the President of India during certain crisis situations under the advice of the cabinet of ministers is known as Emergency. Basically its purpose is to safeguard the sovereignty , unity , integrity and security of the country along with the democrat ‘ political system and the Constitution. Provisions of Emergency are mentioned in the ( PART XVIII ) Article 352-360 of the Indian Constitution.

Emergency related Article : –

  • Article 352 Proclamation of Emergency War / External ( Aggression / Armed Rebellion ( Aremed Rebellion was included by 44th Amendment , ( 1978 ). 
  • Article 356 Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in States.
  • Article 360 Provisions as to financial emergency.
  • Imposition of Emergency At National Level in the history of Indian Politics.

Emergency proclamation in India : –

  • 1st proclamation of Emergency : – During China attack on India ( October 1962 January 1968 ) 
  • 2nd proclamation of Emergency : – During Pakistan’s attack on India – 3rd Decernber 1971 
  • 3rd proclamation of Emergency : – from 25 June 1975 – 23 March 1977 ( based on the internal disturbance )

Background ( Causes ) to National Emergency : –

  • Economic Crisis 
  • Public Discontent – ( Gujarat movement , Bihar movement , Naxalites Movement ) , 
  • Govt . Employees ‘ Discontent 
  • Railway Strike of 1974 
  • Conflicts with judiciary 
  • Immediate Cause – ( 5th General Election & Indira Gandhi )

3rd proclamation of Emergency- from 25 June 1975 – 23 March 1977 : –

🔹 A chain of events between 1973 and 1975 brought new challenges to India’s democratic politics and the institutional balance sought by the Constitution.

🔹 Such developments led to the imposition of state emergency in June 1975-77 across the country. The period of emergency is considered one of the most controversial period of independent India’s history.

Background to Emergency : –

🔹 On 12 June 1975 , Justice Jagmohan Lal Sinha passed a judgment declaring Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha invalid. She could not remain the PM unless and she had to once again elected as an MP in Lok Sabha within 6 months.

🔹 On 24 June 1975 , the Supreme Court granted her a partial stay on the High Court’s Order but she could not take part in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. Therefore , at midnight of 25 June 1975 National Emergency was imposed on the basis of Internal Disturbance as mentioned in Article 352.

Situation after 1971 : –

🔹 The social and economic conditions in the country didn’t improve much despite the Congress had won the elections of 1971 on the slogan of garibi hatao.

🔹 The Bangladesh worsened the conditions of Indian economy. Almost eight million people crossed over the East Pakistan border in India. 

🔹 US Government stopped all aid to India. Oil Prices increased manifold which caused all round increase in prices of commodities during this period.

🔹 Industrial growth was low and unemployment was very high particularly in the rural areas. 

🔹 The failure of monsoons in 1972-73 resulted in a rapid decline in agricultural productivity. Food grain production declined by 8 per cent.

Choronology of Events after imposition of National Emergency : –

🔹 The electricity to all the major newspaper offices was disconnected.

🔹 The government suspended the freedom of the Press. 

🔹 Newspapers were asked to get prior approval for all material to be published. This is known as Press Censorship.

🔹 The Cabinet was informed about it on morning 26 lune.

🔹 Indira Gandhi Addressed the nation on ‘ All India Radio ‘ on 26 lune 1975.

🔹 There was a general atmosphere of dissatisfaction with the prevailing economic conditions all over the country.

Movements Before the Emergency : – 

🔹 The students ‘ protests in Gujarat and Bihar states which were ruled by Congress had far reaching impact on the state as well as national politics. 

Protests in Gujarat : –

🔹 In January 1974 , students in Gujarat started a protest against rising prices of food grain , cooking oil and other essential commodities as well as against corruption. Major opposition parties joined the students protest and thus , it became widespread protest resulting into the imposition of President’s rule in Gujarat. The opposition parties demanded fresh elections.

🔹 Morarji Desai , a prominent leader of Congress ( O ) was the main rival of Indira Gandhi. He declared to go on an indefinite fast if fresh elections were not held in the state. Under intense pressure from opposition and political parties , assembly elections were held in Gujarat in June 1975 and Congress was defeated in this elections.

Protests in Bihar : –

🔹 In March 1974 in Bihar , students came together to protest against the rising prices , food shortage , unemployment and corruption. They invited Jayaprakash Narayan ( JP ) and requested him to lead the students movement.

🔹 Jayaprakash Narayan demanded the dismissal of Congress Government in Bihar. He called for Total Revolution in the social , economic and political sphere for establishing true democracy.

🔹 In 1975 , Jayaprakash led a peoples ‘ march towards the Parliament. Along side the agitation led by Jayaprakas Narayan , a nationwide strike by all employees of the Railways was led by the George Fernandes.

🔹 Jayaprakash Narayan was supported by the non – Congress opposition parties like the Bharatiya Jana Sangh , the Congress ( O ) , the Bhartiya Lok Dal , Socialist Party and others.

🔹 Thus , both Gujarat and Bihar agitations were seen as anti – Congress. They were seen as a protest against the leadership of Indira Gandhi ; rather than the State Governments.

Railway Strike of 1974 : –

🔹 The National Coordination Committee for Railwaymen’s Struggle , led by George Fernandes , has called for a state wide strike by all railway employees to press their demands for bonus and better working conditions.

🔹 These demands were met with opposition from the government. As a result , in May 1974 , the employees of India’s largest public sector undertaking went on strike. The railway workers ‘ strike heightened the mood of unrest in the workplace. It also raised concerns such as worker rights and whether or not employees of critical services should engage in strike action.

🔹The strike was considered illegal by the authorities. The strike had to be called off after twenty days without a settlement because the government refused to fulfil the striking employees ‘ demands , jailed several of their leaders and deployed the territorial army to safeguard railway tracks.

Conflict with Judiciary Before Emergency : –

🔹 The Indian Government had many differences with the judiciary. There was a long drawn conflict between Parliament and judiciary over each other’s roles. There were three issues which emerged 

🔸 1. The Supreme Court said that the Parliament could not abridge Fundamental Rights including Right to Property.

🔸 2. The court said that the Parliament could not amend in such a way that rights got curtailed.

🔸 3. The Parliament amended the Constitution on the ground that Fundamental Rights could be abridged for implementing Directive Principles. The Supreme Court rejected this proposition. 

🔹 All three factors strained the relations between the government and the judiciary. 

Tension between executive and judiciary : –

🔹 Further tension was added between executive and judiciary by the two developments. 

🔹 A vacancy of Chief Justice of India arose in 1973. As per practice , the senior most Judge of Supreme Court was appointed as the Chief Justice. 

🔹 But in 1973 , AN Ray was appointed as the Chief Justice removing the seniority of three judges which generated a political controversy.

🔹 Political ideology and constitutional interpretation got mixed up rapidly. People close to Prime Minister started questioning the need for a judiciary and the bureaucracy committed to the vision of executive and the legislature.

Declaration of Emergency : –

🔹 On 12th June , 1975 another issue was raised in which ruling of the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi’s election invalid. 

🔹 The High Court declared her election as invalid so legally she was no more an MP and therefore , could not remain the PM unless once again elected as an MP within six months.

🔹 Indira Gandhi’s government responded to this crisis by declaring a state of Emergency. On 25th June , 1975 , the government argued that there was a threat of internal disturbances and therefore , she imposed Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution.

🔹 Emergency is seen as an extraordinary condition in which democratic politics cannot function normally. 

🔹 On the night of 25th June , 1975 , the President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was recommended to impose Emergency by Indira Gandhi. He immediately issued proclamation which was implemented on next day.

Special powers of government During the National Emergency : –

  • During the National Emergency , Indian Constitution provided it special powers to the government. These were 

🔹 Once an Emergency is proclaimed , the federal distribution of powers remain practically suspended and all the powers get concentrated to the Union Government.

🔹 Government also gets power to restrict all or any of the Fundamental Rights during the emergency.

Consequences of Emergency : –

  • Centralisation of Power.
  • Fundamental Rights of Indian Citizens were Suspended.
  • Newspapers like the ‘ Indian Express ‘ and the ‘ Statesman ‘ protested against censorship by leaving blank spaces for censored news. Magazines like the ‘ Seminar ‘ and the ‘ Mainstream ‘ chose to close down rather than submit to censorship. 
  • Many Known writers returned the National prestigious awards in protest. 
  • A large number of leaders and workers of the opposition parties were arrested. Many leaders went underground . The government banned ‘ Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ‘ ( RSS ) and Ejamait – e – Islami ‘.
  • Protests , strikes and public agitations were also disallowed. 
  • The government made extensive use of ‘ Preventive Detention ‘. 
  • Amendment- The 42nd amendment ( controversial ) was also passed during the emergency.
  • Privilege- The elections of Prime Minister , President and Vice – President could not be challenged in the Court.
  • Tenure extended- The duration of the legislatures in the country was extended from 5 yrs to 6 yrs.

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