Class 12 : Poltical Science (English) – Lesson 13.The Crisis of Democratic Order
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction
After Independence, India established itself as a vibrant democracy. However, by the mid-1970s, India faced its most severe political crisis, culminating in the Emergency (1975–1977).
This period questioned the strength of democratic institutions, the limits of individual freedom, and the balance between executive authority and constitutional rights.
The chapter explores the causes, events, and consequences of this crisis, and how Indian democracy ultimately emerged stronger.
🧭 Background: Political Context of the 1970s
🔹 By the early 1970s, Indira Gandhi had become a dominant leader after her 1971 electoral victory and the Bangladesh war.
🔹 The Congress Party enjoyed a centralised structure but faced growing discontent:
Economic stagnation 🏦
High inflation 💸
Unemployment 📉
Corruption scandals ⚠️
🔹 Popular movements (especially by students, peasants, and workers) grew across states like Gujarat and Bihar.
⚡ Causes of the Crisis
🔸 1. Political Challenges
✔ Opposition movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan (JP Movement) demanded “Total Revolution.”
✔ Increasing protests questioned government legitimacy.
✔ Regional dissatisfaction and urban unrest weakened state stability.
🔸 2. Economic Difficulties
✔ Slow growth rate (“Hindu rate of growth”).
✔ Unemployment, food shortages, and price rise.
✔ Oil crisis of 1973 worsened fiscal conditions.
🔸 3. Judicial Challenge
✔ Allahabad High Court Judgment (1975) declared Indira Gandhi’s election invalid due to electoral malpractices.
✔ She was barred from holding office for six years.
➡ This triggered a constitutional-political confrontation.
🔸 4. Political Decision
✔ On 25 June 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed Emergency under Article 352, citing internal disturbance.
✔ All fundamental rights (except Article 20 & 21 initially) were suspended.
✔ Elections were postponed; opposition leaders were arrested.
🧱 Features of the Emergency (1975–77)
🟢 1. Suspension of Civil Liberties
Right to freedom of speech and press curtailed. 📰
Preventive detention used extensively.
🟢 2. Centralisation of Power
Authority concentrated in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi became central decision-makers.
🟢 3. Political Repression
Opposition leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were jailed.
Media censorship imposed; dissent silenced.
🟢 4. Policy Initiatives
20-point programme for poverty alleviation.
5-point programme by Sanjay Gandhi including family planning, literacy, tree plantation.
🟢 5. Constitutional Changes
42nd Amendment (1976) expanded powers of Parliament, reduced judicial review, and inserted words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ in the Preamble.
🧠 Opposition and Resistance
🔹 Civil liberties groups, underground newspapers, and activists protested secretly.
🔹 Some sections of population initially supported the Emergency, hoping for stability.
🔹 But reports of forced sterilisation, evictions, and authoritarian excesses alienated citizens.
🗳️ 1977 Elections and Fall of the Emergency
✔ Indira Gandhi announced elections in January 1977.
✔ Opposition parties united to form Janata Party.
✔ The Congress suffered a massive defeat, especially in North India.
✔ Morarji Desai became Prime Minister — first non-Congress government at the Centre.
🧩 Consequences and Lessons
🟢 1. Restoration of Democracy
Emergency ended, democracy revived in March 1977.
Free press, judiciary, and elections reasserted independence.
🟢 2. Political Awakening
People realised the importance of constitutional safeguards.
Strengthened civil society and human rights movements.
🟢 3. Weakening of Congress
First time Congress was ousted from power at national level.
Rise of coalition politics and regional parties.
🟢 4. Constitutional Safeguards Strengthened
44th Amendment (1978) made Emergency declaration more restrictive.
Now, “armed rebellion” replaces “internal disturbance.”
Fundamental Rights under Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended.
🧭 Analysis: Democratic Resilience
🔹 Though India witnessed authoritarian rule, institutions like the Election Commission, Judiciary, and Media ultimately recovered.
🔹 Citizens’ faith in democracy remained intact.
🔹 The 1977 elections proved that Indian democracy is self-correcting.
🧭 Important Personalities
Indira Gandhi – Prime Minister during Emergency.
Jayaprakash Narayan – Leader of opposition movement.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed – President who proclaimed Emergency.
Morarji Desai – First non-Congress PM post-Emergency.
⚖️ Constitutional Provisions
Article 352: Proclamation of National Emergency.
Article 358 & 359: Suspension of Fundamental Rights.
42nd Amendment: Strengthened central authority.
44th Amendment: Restored balance, checked misuse.
🌍 Global Context
Similar authoritarian trends seen in other democracies (e.g., Latin America).
India’s experience unique — democratic recovery through elections.
📚 Summary (200 words)
The Crisis of Democratic Order (1975–77) was a turning point in India’s political history. Declared under Article 352, the Emergency curtailed civil liberties, dissolved opposition, censored the press, and centralised power in the hands of Indira Gandhi. The immediate cause was the Allahabad High Court verdict disqualifying her election.
While the government justified the Emergency as necessary for stability and reform, it resulted in widespread human rights violations and political repression.
Despite authoritarian tendencies, India’s democratic ethos prevailed. In 1977, free elections led to the defeat of the Congress and formation of the Janata Party government, proving the resilience of Indian democracy.
Subsequent constitutional amendments, particularly the 44th Amendment, ensured stricter safeguards against future misuse.
The Emergency highlighted the need for vigilance, strong institutions, and active citizen participation to sustain democracy.
📝 Quick Recap (100 words)
🔹 Period: 1975–77
🔹 Cause: Political unrest, economic crisis, court verdict.
🔹 Leader: Indira Gandhi
🔹 Key Features: Suspension of rights, censorship, arrests, centralisation.
🔹 Opposition: JP Movement, underground protests.
🔹 End: 1977 elections, Congress defeat, Janata Party victory.
🔹 Impact: Strengthened democracy, awareness of rights, 44th Amendment safeguards.
🔹 Lesson: Democracy is self-correcting; people’s will prevails.
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔵 Question 1:
State whether the following statements regarding the Emergency are correct or incorrect.
🟡 (a) It was declared in 1975 by Indira Gandhi.
🟢 Answer: Correct — The Emergency was declared on 25 June 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi citing internal disturbance.
🟡 (b) It led to the suspension of all fundamental rights.
🟢 Answer: Incorrect — Most fundamental rights were suspended, but Articles 20 and 21 (related to life and liberty) were initially not suspended.
🟡 (c) It was proclaimed due to the deteriorating economic conditions.
🟢 Answer: Incorrect — The official reason was “internal disturbance”, though economic issues contributed indirectly.
🟡 (d) Many opposition leaders were arrested during the emergency.
🟢 Answer: Correct — Prominent leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were jailed.
🟡 (e) CPI supported the proclamation of the Emergency.
🟢 Answer: Correct — The Communist Party of India (CPI) supported the Emergency, believing it would curb right-wing forces.
🔵 Question 2:
Find the odd one out in the context of proclamation of Emergency:
1️⃣ The call for ‘Total Revolution’
2️⃣ The Railway Strike of 1974
3️⃣ The Naxalite Movement
4️⃣ The Allahabad High Court verdict
5️⃣ The findings of the Shah Commission Report
🟢 Answer: ✅ The Naxalite Movement — It was unrelated to the Emergency’s immediate context and dealt with revolutionary peasant struggles.
🔵 Question 3:
Match the following:
Column A Column B
(a) Total Revolution (iii) Bihar Movement
(b) Garibi Hatao (i) Indira Gandhi
(c) Students’ Protest (ii) Jayaprakash Narayan
(d) Railway Strike (iv) George Fernandes
🟢 Answer:
✔ (a) → (iii)
✔ (b) → (i)
✔ (c) → (ii)
✔ (d) → (iv)
🔵 Question 4:
What were the reasons which led to the mid-term elections in 1980?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Collapse of Janata Government (1979): Internal conflicts and power struggles weakened the coalition.
✔ Leadership crisis: Disagreements among Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, and Jagjivan Ram.
✔ Public dissatisfaction: Unfulfilled promises and instability disappointed voters.
✔ President dissolved Lok Sabha, leading to fresh elections in January 1980.
🔵 Question 5:
The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Party Government. Why was it appointed and what were its findings?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Purpose: To investigate abuses of power and violations of rights during Emergency (1975–77).
✔ Findings:
Arbitrary arrests & misuse of preventive detention.
Press censorship and forced sterilisation drives.
Political interference in administration.
✔ Concluded that the Emergency was misused for political purposes.
🔵 Question 6:
What reasons did the Government give for declaring a National Emergency in 1975?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Internal disturbance affecting national stability.
✔ Protests & strikes causing breakdown of order.
✔ Economic issues like inflation and shortages.
✔ Judicial verdict threatening PM’s position (Allahabad case).
✔ Need to maintain unity and law & order.
🔵 Question 7:
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?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Public resentment against authoritarian rule.
✔ Suppression of civil liberties and media.
✔ Arrests of leaders and misuse of power.
✔ Opposition unity under Janata Party.
✔ Faith in democracy led people to vote for change.
🔵 Question 8:
Discuss the effects of Emergency on the following aspects of our polity:
🟡 (a) Effects on civil liberties for citizens
🟢 Rights curtailed, preventive detention misused, dissent silenced.
🟡 (b) Impact on relationship between Executive and Judiciary
🟢 Executive dominance; judiciary showed less independence (ADM Jabalpur case).
🟡 (c) Functioning of Mass Media
🟢 Press censorship, prior approval for publication, restricted criticism.
🟡 (d) Working of the Police and Bureaucracy
🟢 Used as instruments of government; fear and compliance prevailed.
🔵 Question 9:
In what way did the imposition of Emergency affect the party system in India?
🟢 Answer:
✔ Emergence of Janata Party uniting opposition.
✔ Split within Congress weakened one-party dominance.
✔ Rise of multi-party system and coalitions.
✔ Enhanced people’s political awareness.
🔵 Question 10:
Read the passage and answer the questions below:
“Indian democracy was never so close to a two-party system as it was during the 1977 elections… The Janata Party also went through major convulsions.”
🟡 (a) What made the party system in India look like a two-party system in 1977?
🟢 Two clear contenders: Congress and Janata Party. Majority voters divided between them.
🟡 (b) Many more than two parties existed in 1977. Why is this period described as close to a two-party system?
🟢 Because almost all opposition merged into Janata Party, forming a single rival to Congress.
🟡 (c) What caused splits in Congress and Janata parties?
🟢 Congress: Split between Indira Gandhi and old guards (Syndicate).
🟢 Janata: Ideological differences, leadership rivalries, and lack of cohesion.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
(CBSE MODEL QUESTIONS PAPER)
ESPECIALLY MADE FROM THIS LESSON ONLY
🌟 Section A — MCQs (1 mark each)
🔵 Question 1: When was the National Emergency declared?
🟡 1. 26 June 1975
🟢 2. 25 June 1975
🔴 3. 5 July 1975
🟣 4. 15 August 1975
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 2: Under which Article was the 1975 Emergency proclaimed?
🟡 1. Article 356
🟢 2. Article 352
🔴 3. Article 360
🟣 4. Article 368
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 3: Who led the call for “Total Revolution”?
🟡 1. Morarji Desai
🟢 2. Jayaprakash Narayan
🔴 3. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
🟣 4. Charan Singh
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 4: Which commission probed the excesses during the Emergency?
🟡 1. Kothari Commission
🟢 2. Shah Commission
🔴 3. Sarkaria Commission
🟣 4. Mandal Commission
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 5: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment was passed in—
🟡 1. 1975
🟢 2. 1976
🔴 3. 1977
🟣 4. 1978
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 6: The Allahabad High Court (1975) set aside Indira Gandhi’s election from—
🟡 1. Amethi
🟢 2. Rae Bareli
🔴 3. Allahabad
🟣 4. Faizabad
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 7: Which Supreme Court case during Emergency is linked to habeas corpus?
🟡 1. Golaknath
🟢 2. ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla
🔴 3. Kesavananda Bharati
🟣 4. Minerva Mills
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 8: The 44th Amendment (1978) replaced “internal disturbance” with—
🟡 1. External aggression
🟢 2. Armed rebellion
🔴 3. Civil disobedience
🟣 4. National calamity
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 9: Freedom of the press primarily flows from—
🟡 1. Article 14
🟢 2. Article 19(1)(a)
🔴 3. Article 21
🟣 4. Article 32
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 10: Who led the 1974 Railway Strike?
🟡 1. George Fernandes
🟢 2. Jagjivan Ram
🔴 3. H.N. Bahuguna
🟣 4. K. Kamraj
🟩 Answer: 1
🔵 Question 11: In which year did Congress lose power at the Centre for the first time?
🟡 1. 1975
🟢 2. 1977
🔴 3. 1979
🟣 4. 1980
🟩 Answer: 2
🔵 Question 12: Which party/alliance formed the government after the 1977 elections?
🟡 1. Congress
🟢 2. Janata Party
🔴 3. CPI
🟣 4. Congress (O)
🟩 Answer: 2
🌿 Section B — Short Answer (2 marks each; ~50–60 words)
🔵 Question 13: State two official reasons cited for declaring the Emergency in 1975.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Internal disturbance and a breakdown of law and order due to strikes/protests.
✔️ Need to restore stability and national unity amid escalating agitation and political confrontation.
🔵 Question 14: Mention two key findings of the Shah Commission.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Arbitrary arrests and misuse of preventive detention laws.
✔️ Press censorship and political interference in administration, including excesses like coercive sterilisation.
🔵 Question 15: Give two salient features of the 42nd Amendment (1976).
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Strengthened Parliament’s power and curtailed judicial review.
✔️ Inserted “Socialist” and “Secular” into the Preamble; expanded Directive Principles.
🔵 Question 16: How did the Emergency affect the party system? Give two points.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Opposition unity led to the formation of the Janata Party.
✔️ Erosion of one-party dominance, opening space for competitive and coalition politics.
🔵 Question 17: State two safeguards added by the 44th Amendment regarding National Emergency.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Emergency can be proclaimed only on “armed rebellion” (not internal disturbance).
✔️ Added checks: Cabinet’s written advice needed; Lok Sabha can revoke by simple majority.
🔵 Question 18: Give two reasons for the Janata Party’s victory in 1977.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Public backlash against civil-liberty curbs and censorship during Emergency.
✔️ United opposition offered a credible alternative, restoring faith in democratic change.
🌟 Section C — Short Answer Type (3 Marks Each)
🔵 Question 19:
Explain the main causes behind the imposition of the Emergency in 1975.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Political causes: Continuous protests, strikes, and the JP Movement demanding “Total Revolution”.
✔️ Judicial challenge: Allahabad High Court verdict (June 1975) disqualifying Indira Gandhi.
✔️ Economic distress: Inflation, unemployment, and shortages created public unrest.
✔️ Result: Indira Gandhi declared Emergency on 25 June 1975 under Article 352.
🔵 Question 20:
Describe the major features of the Emergency (1975–77).
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Suspension of civil liberties: Fundamental Rights curtailed.
✔️ Press censorship: Publications required prior government approval.
✔️ Centralisation of power: Authority concentrated in the PMO.
✔️ Arrests of leaders: Opposition figures like JP and Morarji jailed.
✔️ 42nd Amendment: Expanded Parliament’s powers and altered Constitution.
🔵 Question 21:
Discuss the role of judiciary during the Emergency.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Judiciary upheld Emergency measures in ADM Jabalpur case (1976).
✔️ Accepted government view that right to life could be suspended.
✔️ Criticised later for weak defence of constitutional rights.
🔵 Question 22:
Evaluate the impact of the Emergency on Indian democracy.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Negative: Suppression of dissent, authoritarian rule, weakened institutions.
✔️ Positive: Awareness among citizens of democratic values.
✔️ Outcome: People voted out Congress in 1977, showing democracy’s strength.
🔵 Question 23:
What were the recommendations of the Shah Commission?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Misuse of power: Arbitrary arrests and detentions.
✔️ Violation of rights: Forced sterilisation, press censorship.
✔️ Political accountability: Suggested legal safeguards to prevent repetition.
🔵 Question 24:
How did the 44th Amendment strengthen democracy after the Emergency?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Emergency can be declared only on “armed rebellion”, not internal disturbance.
✔️ Cabinet’s written advice mandatory.
✔️ Articles 20 & 21 cannot be suspended.
✔️ Parliament’s power to extend Emergency restricted.
🔵 Question 25:
What lessons did India learn from the Emergency?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Importance of vigilant citizens and independent judiciary.
✔️ Constitutional safeguards essential for democracy.
✔️ Authoritarianism can be reversed through elections.
🔵 Question 26:
Explain the political changes after 1977 elections.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ End of Congress dominance; Janata Party formed government.
✔️ Rise of coalition politics.
✔️ Strengthening of democratic accountability and civil society.
🔵 Question 27:
Discuss the concept of “Total Revolution” led by Jayaprakash Narayan.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Aimed at moral, social, political, and economic renewal.
✔️ Opposed corruption and authoritarianism.
✔️ Sought participation of youth and citizens for clean politics.
🔵 Question 28:
Describe the nature of opposition movements before the Emergency.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Student protests in Gujarat and Bihar.
✔️ Railway strike (1974) led by George Fernandes.
✔️ Unified under JP Movement demanding systemic change.
🔵 Question 29:
How did Emergency affect media and press freedom?
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Censorship imposed: Government pre-approval required.
✔️ Critical articles banned; dissenting journalists detained.
✔️ After 1977, media reaffirmed independence as a pillar of democracy.
🔵 Question 30:
Assess the role of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency.
🟢 Answer:
✔️ Exercised centralised power; justified actions as necessary for order.
✔️ Implemented 20-point programme and reforms.
✔️ Later accepted mistakes, calling elections in 1977, restoring democracy.
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MIND MAPS
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