NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science The Crisis of Democratic Order

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 “The Crisis of Democratic Order,” students explore a crucial period in Indian democracy. This chapter focuses on the years between 1973 and 1977, specifically the declaration of the Emergency, its political consequences, and the subsequent 1977 elections.

It also delves into economic challenges, student protests, and conflicts between the government and the judiciary that led to these historic events. This chapter raises important questions about the necessity of the Emergency, its practical impact, and the lasting lessons it holds for India’s democratic system.

The crisis of democratic order class 12 question answer

l. State whether the following statements regarding the Emergency are correct or incorrect.

(a) It was declared in 1975 by Indira Gandhi.

(b) It led to the suspension of all fundamental rights.

(c) It was proclaimed due to the deteriorating economic conditions.

(d) Many Opposition leaders were arrested during the emergency.

(e) CPI supported the proclamation of the Emergency.

Answer:

(a) Correct

(b) Correct

(c) Wrong,

(d) Correct

(e) Correct.

2. Find the odd one out in the context of proclamation of Emergency.

(a) The call for ‘Total Revolution’.

(b) The Railway Strike of 1974

(c) The Naxalite Movement

(d) The Allahabad High Court verdict

(e) The findings of the Shah Commission Report

Answer: (c) The Naxalite Movement

3. What were the reasons which led to the mid-term elections in 1980?

Answer:

1. Janata party lacked direction, leadership and a common programme.
2. Janata party government could not bring a fundamental change in policies pursued by Congress.
3. There was a split in Janata Party and the government led by Morarji Desai which lost its majority in less than 18 months.
4. Charan Singh government was formed due to support of Congress party which later decided to withdraw its support resulting resignation of Charan Singh government within four months.
5. All the above mentioned reasons led midterm elections of 1980, which defeated Janata Party and again Congress led by Indira Gandhi came back to power by winning 353 seats.

5. The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Party Government. Why was it appointed and what were its findings?

Answer: The Shah commission was appointed in May 1977 by Janata Party government which was headed by J.C. Shah, retired chief justice of Supreme Court of India to look into the matters of:

1. Allegations of abuse of authority, excesses and malpractices as well as actions taken in the name of emergency proclaimed on 25 June 1975.

2. The Commission performed to examine various evidences to give testimonies even including Indira Gandhi to appear before Commission, but she refused to answer any questions.
Findings of Shah Commission:

1. It found many ‘excesses’ committed during Emergency.
2. Under preventive detention laws nearly one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested.
3. Press censorship took place without any proper legal sanctions.
4. Even general manager of Delhi Power Supply Corporation received verbal orders from the officers of the Lt. Governor of Delhi to cut electricity to all newspapers press at 2 a.m. on 26 June 1975.

6. What reasons did the Government give for declaring a National Emergency in 1975?

Answer: Emergency was proclaimed in response to petition filed by Raj Narain to declare Indira Gandhi’s election invalid.

1. On June 25, 1975, the government declared the threat of internal disturbances to invoke Article 352 of constitution.
2. Article 352 can declare emergency on ground of either internal or external disturbances.
3. The government decided a grave crisis to be arisen to proclaim emergency to bring law and order, restore efficiency and implement pro-poor welfare programmes.
4. The President Fakhruddin Adi Ahmad proclaimed emergency which became the most controversial episode in Indian Politics.

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: The 1977 elections were evolved as a shock to everyone as Congress party was defeated for the very first time and opposition party came into power:

• The opposition adopted the slogan ‘Save democracy’ against imposition of emergency earlier.
• The opposition campaigned non- democratic character of rule which provided various excesses.
• The opposition party highlighted the preventive detention and press censorship to favour public opinion.
• Janata Party also ensured not to divide non-Congress votes.
• Middle section of north India was moving away from Congress for whom Janata Party became a platform.
• Hence, elections of 1977 emerged many other factors instead about emergency only.

8. Discuss the effects of Emergency on the following aspects of our polity.

(a) Effects on civil liberties for citizens.

(b) Impact on relationship between the Executive and Judiciary.

(c) Functioning of Mass Media.

(d) Working of Police and Bureaucracy.

Answer: (a) Effects on Civil Liberties for Citizens:

• The government made large scale arrests under preventive detention.
• Arrested political persons could not challenge arrest even under Habeas Corpus petition.
• Despite of filing many petitions government claimed it not to be necessary to be informed on grounds to arrested persons.
• In April 1976, finally it was proved that the government could take away citizen’s right to life and liberty by overruling of high courts under supreme court and accept government’s plea.

(b) Impact on Relationship between the Executive and Judiciary

1. The Parliament brought in many new changes in Constitution which made an amendment declaring that elections of Prime Minister, President and Vice¬President could not be challenged in the court.

2. The forty-second amendment (42nd) was also passed to bring a series of changes in constitution like duration of legislatures, elections can be postponed by one
year during an emergency.

(c) Functioning of Mass Media

• Press censorship took place which banned freedom of press and newspapers w7ere supposed to prior approval before they
  publish any material i.e. RSS and Janata Island were banned.
• Protests, strikes and public agitations were also banned.
• Various fundamental rights were also suspended including even Right to move to court for restoration of Fundamental Rights.
• Kannada writer Shivarama Karanth awarded with Padma Bhushan and Hindi writer Fanishwarnath Tlenu with Padmashri returned their awards in protest against suspension of democracy.
• Newspapers mainly Indian Express, and the statesman protested against censorship by leaving blank spaces where news items were censored.

(d) Working of Police and Bureaucracy

Refer Part (a) + (b) of the same question.

9. In what way did the imposition of Emergency affect the party system in India? Elaborate your answer with examples.

Answer:

1. Due to absolute majority to party in power, leadership even dared to suspend democratic process.
2. The constitution makers presumed to be abide by laws and democratic orders, hence, wide and open ended powers were given to the government during emergency.
3. A tension and differences arose between institution based democracy and democracy based on spontaneous popular participation.
4. It was attributed to incapability of party system to incorporate aspirations of the people.
5. For the first time, opposition parties came together to form a new party ‘Janata Party’ not to divide the non-Congress votes.
6. 1977 elections brought an end to one party dominance and created coalition government.

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More Questions Solved

Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark]

1. Mention the main reason for the defeat of Congress party in the elections 1977.

Answer: The opposition party adopted the slogan ‘Save democracy’ against the imposition of emergency.

2. In which year fifth general elections to Lok Sabha held?

Answer: 1971.

3. Name the political party which came to power at centre in 1977.

Answer: Janata Party

4. In January 1974, Students of Gujarat started an agitation against which two major problems?

Answer:

• Rising prices of food grains, cooking oil and other essential commodities.
• Corruption in high places.

5. Who was Charu Majumdar?

Answer: Charu Majumdar was a communist revolutionary and the leader of Naxalbari uprising. He founded the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist).

6. Name the president who proclaimed emergency in 1975 in India.

Answer. President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad at midnight on 25 June 1975.

7. Who introduced Twenty Point Programme and Why?

Answer: Congress government led by Indira Gandhi introduced ‘Twenty Point Programme’ to maintain law and order and to restored efficiency including land reforms, eradication of bonded labour, land redistribution, workers participation in management etc.

8. Who became the symbol of restoration of democracy?

Answer: Jayaprakash Narayan, leader of Janata Party.

9. Mention the Historic decision given by the court in famous Kesavananda Bharati Case.

Answer: That there are some basic features of constitution not to be amended by parliament at all. It led to a crisis between the government and judiciary.

10. What was the controversy regarding the appointment of the chief justice A.N. Ray in 1973?

Answer: It became political controversial because in this appointment the government set aside the seniority of three judges who had given ruling against the stand of government.

11. Why did Congress win in Southern states?

Answer:

1. The impact of emergency was not felt equally in all the states.
2. The forced relocation and dis¬placements, the forced sterilisations were mostly concentrated in the northern states.

12. What do you mean by Preventive Detention?

Answer: In Preventive Detention Act, people are arrested and detained on the apprehension to commit any offence in future and government made large scale arrests under this during emergency.

Very Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]

1. What factors led to crisis of democratic order in Indian Politics?

Answer:

1. Emergence of Indira Gandhi with a lot of popularity.
2. Party competitions had been created.
3. Relation between the government and judiciary had become tense.

2. Mention the factors which led Naxalite movement in backward states.

Answer:

1. Forced labour
2. Exploitation by moneylenders
3. Exploitation of resources by outsiders.

3. What was Shah Commission of inquiry? How did government react to it? “

Answer: The Shah commission was appointed in May 1977 by Janata Party government headed by S.C. Shah, retired chief justice of Supreme Court of India to look into the matter of:

1. Allegations of abuse of authority.
2. Excesses and malpractices.
3. Actions taken in the name of emergency proclaimed on 25 June 1975. The government appeared before commission against various evidences but she refused to answer any question.

4. Describe any two outcomes of Naxalite Movement.

Answer: The ‘Naxalites’ were the Marxist and Leninist Agricultural workers of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and adjoining areas who organised massive agitations against economic injustice and inequality and demanded redistribution of land to cultivators.

5. Mention circumstances to be characterised for imposition of emergency?

Answer:

1. Emergence of Indira Gandhi.
2. Power Politics became personalised and governmental authority was converted into personalization.
3. Bitter party competition.
4. Tense relations between the government and judiciary.

6. Who organised the first nationwide Satyagraha and Why?

Answer: It was organised by Jayaprakash Narayan for Indira Gandhi’s resignation, he appealed to people not to obey illegal and immoral orders by a massive demonstration on 25 June 1975. All these changed the political mood of the country against Congress.

Short Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]

1. Explain the reasons for students movement of 1974 in Bihar and the role played by Jayaprakash Narayan in this movement.

Answer: Reasons for Student’s Movement of 1974:

• Rising prices of food grains, cooking oil and other essential commodities.
• Corruption in high places.

Assess Role played by Jai Prakash Narayan:

Satyagraha was organised by Jayaprakash Narayan for Indira Gandhi’s resignation, he appealed to people not to obey illegal and immoral orders by a massive demonstration on 25 June 1975. All these changed the political mood of the country against Congress.

2. Evaluate the consequences of declaration of emergency in 1975?

Answer:

• It effected civil liberties of peoples i.e. in April11976 it was proved that the government could take away citizens’ right to life and liberty by overruling of high courts under supreme courts and accepted government’s plea.
• The forth-second Amendment was also passed to bring a series of changes in constitution.
• It affected the functioning of mass media also as press censorship took place which banned freedom of press and newspapers, which were supposed to prior approval before they publish any material.
• Despite of filing many petitions government claimed it not to be necessary to be informed the grounds to arrested persons.

3. Explain any two lessons learnt from emergency imposed in 1975.

Answer: The emergency brought out weaknesses and strengths both to India’s democracy:

1. First lesson was felt that it was extremely difficult to do away with democracy in India.

2. Secondly, it amended that internal emergency could be proclaimed only on the grounds of armed rebellion, on the advice to the president to proclaim emergency must be given in writing by council of ministers.

3. Thirdly, emergency made everyone more aware of civil liberties as well as courts also took an active role in protecting civil liberties of individuals.

4. Examine the legacy of emergency of 1975 in India.

Answer: The legacy of emergency was felt in every sphere of people’s life and politics:

1. Between the elections of 1977 and 1980, Congress identified itself with particular ideology, claiming to be only socialist and pro-poor party.

2. The concept of non-Congression was created among oppositions parties.

3. The issues of welfare of backward classes began to dominate politics i. e. northern states elected non¬Congress leaders of backward class since 1977.

4. This period of emergency saw the period of constitutional crisis to loose its origin in constitutional battle over jurisdiction of parliament and judiciary.

5. This period created political crisis also as the party in power enjoyed absolute majority, still decided to suspend the democratic process.

6. The emergency tensed between institution based democracy and democracy based on spontaneous popular participation for which party system was to be blamed.

5. Why is emergency and period around it known as the period of constitutional crisis? Explain.

Answer:

• The Parliament brought in many new changes in constitution which made an amendment declaring that elections of Prime Minister, President and Vice President could not be challenged in the court.
• The forty second amendment was also passed to bring a series of changes in constitution like duration of legislatures, elections can be postponed by one year during emergency.

6. How far do you agree that the government had misused its emergency powers during 1975-77? Explain.

Answer: No, the government hence misused its ‘Emergency Powers’. But it said that it wanted to use the emergency:

1. To bring law and order into society.

2. To restore efficiency into administra¬tion and system.

3. To implement the pro-poor welfare programmes.

7. How did emergency of 1975 benefit the Indian democratic set up?

Answer:

1. Between the elections of 1977 and 1980, Congress identified itself with particulars ideology, claiming to be only socialist and pro-poor party.

2. The concept of non-Congressism was created among opposition parties.

3. The issues of welfare of backward class began to dominate politics i. e. Northern states elected non- Congress leaders of backward class since 1977.

4. The emergency tensed between institution based democracy and democracy based on spontaneous popular participation for which party system was to be blamed.

8. Describe any four circumstances for proclamation of emergency in 1975.

Answer:

1. Emergence of Indira Gandhi.

2. Power politics became personalised and governmental authority was converted into personalization.

3. Bitter party competition.

4. Tensed relations between the government and judiciary.

9. Discuss the role of Jayaprakash Narayan in Bihar movement and national politics.

Answer:

1. Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan from Janata Party was a Marxist of youth, who became a Gandhian and involved himself in a Bhoodan movement.

2. He led Bihar movement and opposed the emergency.

3. Bihar students invited him and he accepted on the condition of movement to be non-violent and not to limit only to Bihar territory. Hence, Bihar movement assumed a political character and national appeal.

4. This movement demanded dismissal of Congress government in Bihar and called for total revolution in social, economic and political aspects to establish a total democracy.

5. Bandhs, gheraos, strikes were organised in protest. Even employees of railways organised a strike which threatened to paralyse the country.

6. In 1975, Janata Party led people’s march to parliament to be one of the largest political rallies ever held in capital.

7. Janata was supported by non¬Congress parties like BJS, socialist parties etc., which projected JP as an alternative to Indira Gandhi.

10. ‘Emergency was a Blackmark in Indian History’. Comment.

Answer:

1. Emergency was declared on the ground of internal disturbances on 25 June 1975 to invoke Article 352 of constitution.

2. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi recommended to impose emergency to president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad.

3. Emergency was one of the most controversial episode which possessed different virus regarding to impose emergency.

4. Emergency practically suspended the democratic functioning.

5. ‘Shah Commission’ exposed many excesses committed during emergency.

6. Emergency highlighted some hidden matters over constitutional battle between the parliament and judiciary.

7. Tensions or conflicts had been arisen between institution based democracy and popular participation of people.