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In short:
Rights can be suspended - and can be won back at the ballot.
What was the Emergency?
- One of the major challenges to democracy in India .
- A National Emergency imposed by the government in June 1975 , on the grounds of internal disturbance .
- It lasted from 1975 to 1977 .
What led to it?
- In the early 1970s , public dissatisfaction with the government led by Indira Gandhi was growing.
- The reasons the book gives:
- Rising unemployment
- Inflation
- Allegations of misgovernance
- These led to widespread protests .
What happened during the Emergency? How were rights and institutions affected?
![The Emergency (1975-77) - Democracy - [Teachoo] - Concepts](https://cdn.teachoo.com/4fa94faf-96d4-4542-900b-55b2a26c069d/a-censored-newspaper.jpg)
A censored newspaper
During the Emergency
Fundamental Rights
majority suspended
Press
censored
Leaders and activists
arrested
↓
Democratic institutions came under severe strain
- A majority of Fundamental Rights were suspended.
- The press was censored - newspapers could not publish freely.
- Numerous political leaders and activists were arrested.
- Democratic institutions came under severe strain.
- Citizens' freedom was restricted.
How did citizens respond to the Emergency?
How citizens responded
Before
widespread protests
During
mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan
After
the ballot, 1977
↓
The ruling government was defeated in the 1977 elections
- People responded three times, in three different ways .
- Protests raised the problem.
- Mass movements kept it alive when rights were suspended.
- But the thing that actually changed the government was the vote .
What did the 1977 election reveal about Indian democracy?
- The Emergency was lifted in 1977 and general elections were held, letting people express their will through the ballot .
- The defeat of the ruling government demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy .
- It highlighted the importance of:
- constitutional safeguards
- civil liberties
- active citizen participation in protecting democratic values
What did the whole period show?
What the Emergency showed
the book gives both sides
Vulnerability
Rights can be suspended
Press can be censored
Example:
institutions came under severe strain
Resilience
Emergency lifted, elections held
Example:
the government was voted out
- The book gives both sides , and both belong in an answer.
Vulnerability
Resilience
Rights
can
be suspended, the press
can
be censored, leaders
can
be arrested
The Emergency was
lifted
, elections were
held
, and the government was
voted out
Democratic institutions came under
severe strain
Those institutions
survived
and worked again
Timeline
When
What happened
Early 1970s
Dissatisfaction grows - unemployment, inflation, allegations of misgovernance; widespread protests
June 1975
National Emergency imposed on grounds of internal disturbance
1975-77
Fundamental Rights suspended, press censored, leaders and activists arrested
1977
Emergency lifted; general elections held; ruling government defeated
Which Articles deal with Emergency provisions?
Article
What it provides for
Article 352
National Emergency
Article 356
President's Rule
Article 360
Financial Emergency
1. When was the Emergency imposed, and on what grounds?
Show answer
In June 1975, on the grounds of internal disturbance. It lasted until 1977.
2. Name three things that happened during the Emergency.
Show answer
A majority of Fundamental Rights were suspended, the press was censored, and numerous political leaders and activists were arrested.
3. How did citizens respond to the Emergency?
Show answer
Through widespread protests before it. Through mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan during it. These mobilised students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat. And by voting the ruling government out in the 1977 elections.
4. What did the 1977 election show about Indian democracy?
Show answer
That people could express their will through the ballot. The defeat of the ruling government demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy.
5. What do Articles 352, 356 and 360 deal with?
Show answer
National Emergency, President's Rule and Financial Emergency respectively.
