CBSE Class 12 Political Science NCERT Solutions: The Crisis of Democratic Order

Solution: The statements regarding the Emergency are evaluated as follows:

1. Correct: The Emergency was indeed declared in 1975, and Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister at that time.
2. Correct: A significant consequence of the Emergency was the suspension of most fundamental rights, as provided for under the Constitution during such a period.
3. Wrong: While economic issues existed, the primary stated reasons for the Emergency proclamation were political, including the judgment from the Allahabad High Court and perceived threats of internal disturbances, rather than solely deteriorating economic conditions.
4. Correct: A large number of opposition leaders, activists, and critics were arrested and detained under various preventive detention laws during the Emergency.
5. Correct: The Communist Party of India (CPI) initially supported the proclamation of the Emergency, viewing it as a measure necessary to combat 'right-wing' forces.

Solution: The odd one out is (c) The Naxalite Movement.

Reasoning: The other options are directly or indirectly linked to the political climate and events that led to or followed the proclamation of the Emergency in 1975:

• The call for 'Total Revolution' by Jayaprakash Narayan was a significant opposition movement.
• The Railway Strike of 1974 was a major industrial action that highlighted social unrest.
• The Allahabad High Court verdict in June 1975 declared Indira Gandhi's election invalid, a direct trigger for the Emergency.
• The findings of the Shah Commission, appointed after the Emergency, investigated the excesses committed during that period.

The Naxalite Movement, while a significant socio-political phenomenon, was a distinct movement with its own origins and trajectory, not directly tied as a cause or immediate context for the 1975 Emergency proclamation in the same way as the other options.

Solution: Here is the correct matching of the items:

• Total Revolution is associated with (ii) Jayaprakash Narayan, who led a movement advocating for comprehensive societal change.
• Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty) was the famous slogan and policy initiative of (i) Indira Gandhi.
• The Students' Protest Movement was particularly prominent in (iii) Bihar, where it formed a significant part of the anti-government agitation.
• The Railway Strike of 1974 was largely organized and led by (iv) George Fernandes, a prominent trade union leader.

Therefore, the correct matches are: (a)-(ii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv).

Solution: The mid-term elections in 1980 were necessitated by the collapse of the Janata Party government and the subsequent political instability. The key reasons included:

1. Lack of Direction and Unity in Janata Party: The Janata Party, formed by a coalition of various opposition groups, lacked a clear common program, cohesive leadership, and internal unity. This led to frequent disagreements and policy paralysis.
2. Failure to Bring Policy Changes: The Janata Party government, despite its mandate to bring change, could not significantly alter the fundamental policies pursued by the previous Congress governments, disappointing many of its supporters.
3. Government Instability and Splits: The government led by Prime Minister Morarji Desai lost its majority within 18 months due to internal rifts and defections. Subsequently, a government led by Charan Singh was formed with the support of the Congress party.
4. Withdrawal of Congress Support: The Congress party, which had initially supported Charan Singh's government, eventually withdrew its support, leading to the resignation of his government within four months.

These factors collectively led to the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of mid-term elections in 1980. The elections resulted in a significant victory for the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi, which returned to power with a large majority.

Solution: The Shah Commission was appointed in May 1977 by the Janata Party government, which had come to power after the Emergency. It was headed by Justice J.C. Shah, a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.

Purpose of Appointment:

• The primary objective was to inquire into the allegations of abuse of authority, excesses, and malpractices committed by the government and its officials during the period of the Emergency proclaimed on June 25, 1975.
• It was tasked with examining various evidences and testimonies related to the actions taken in the name of the Emergency.

During its proceedings, the Commission examined numerous witnesses and collected evidence. Indira Gandhi was also summoned to appear before the Commission, but she reportedly refused to answer any questions.

Findings of the Shah Commission:

• The Commission found that numerous 'excesses' had been committed during the Emergency.
• It reported that approximately one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested under preventive detention laws.
• The Commission noted that press censorship was imposed without proper legal sanctions, significantly restricting media freedom.
• Evidence was presented showing that directives were given, such as verbal orders to cut electricity to newspaper presses in Delhi in the early hours of June 26, 1975, indicating systematic suppression of dissent.

The findings of the Shah Commission detailed significant human rights violations and administrative overreach during the Emergency period.

Solution: The government, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, provided specific reasons for declaring a National Emergency on June 25, 1975. The proclamation was made in response to a petition filed by Raj Narain, which sought to declare Indira Gandhi's election to the Lok Sabha invalid.

The official justification for invoking Article 352 of the Constitution, which allows for the declaration of an Emergency on grounds of threat of internal or external disturbances, was based on the following:

• Internal Disturbances: The government declared that there was a grave threat of 'internal disturbances' that jeopardized the security of India. This was the specific ground cited under Article 352.
• Restoring Law and Order and Efficiency: The proclamation was also justified as a measure to restore law and order, bring back efficiency in administration, and implement pro-poor welfare programs more effectively, which the government claimed were being hampered by political opposition and instability.
• Political Crisis: The judgment of the Allahabad High Court on June 12, 1975, which invalidated Indira Gandhi's election, created a significant political crisis, and the government argued that the Emergency was necessary to navigate this situation.

President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed the Emergency based on the government's advice. This declaration remains one of the most controversial episodes in Indian political history.

Solution: The 1977 general elections marked a historic moment in Indian politics as the Congress party was defeated for the first time, and the opposition, primarily the Janata Party, came into power at the Centre. Several factors contributed to this significant outcome:

1. Public Resentment Against the Emergency: The imposition of the Emergency (1975-1977) and the subsequent suspension of civil liberties, widespread arrests, and press censorship generated considerable public anger and a strong desire to 'Save Democracy'. The opposition effectively used this sentiment in their campaign.
2. Highlighting Non-Democratic Rule and Excesses: The opposition parties campaigned vigorously against the authoritarian nature of the rule during the Emergency, highlighting the various excesses and malpractices that had occurred, as later documented by the Shah Commission.
3. Focus on Preventive Detention and Censorship: Issues like the arbitrary arrests under preventive detention laws and the strict control over the press were effectively used by the opposition to sway public opinion against the ruling party.
4. Opposition Unity: Unlike previous elections, the opposition parties, particularly the major ones, managed to forge a united front under the banner of the Janata Party. This prevented the division of non-Congress votes, consolidating anti-Congress sentiment into a single voting bloc.
5. Loss of Congress Credibility: The perceived overreach of power during the Emergency, coupled with internal issues within the Congress party, led to a decline in its credibility among a significant section of the electorate.

These factors combined to create a political environment where voters opted for a change, leading to the historic victory of the opposition in the 1977 elections.