Short questions and answers
1.What is meant by the “Crisis of Democratic Order”?
Answer: The “Crisis of Democratic Order” refers to the challenges and threats faced by democratic institutions and values in India during the 1970s and 1980s.
2.Who imposed the state of Emergency in India in 1975?
Answer: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the state of Emergency in India in 1975.
3.What were the main reasons cited for imposing Emergency in 1975?
Answer: The main reasons cited for imposing Emergency were political instability, internal disturbances, and threats to national security.
4.What were the key features of the Emergency period in India?
Answer: During the Emergency, fundamental rights were suspended, censorship was imposed on the media, political opponents were arrested, and authoritarian measures were taken to maintain control.
5.Who were the prominent political figures arrested during the Emergency?
Answer: Prominent political figures arrested during the Emergency included Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and George Fernandes.
6.What role did the judiciary play during the Emergency?
Answer: The judiciary came under pressure during the Emergency, but some judges, such as Justice H.R. Khanna, upheld constitutional principles and defended civil liberties.
7.What was the impact of the Emergency on civil society and media?
Answer: During the Emergency, civil liberties were curtailed, and the media faced censorship, leading to a stifling of dissent and criticism.
8.How did the Janata Party emerge after the Emergency?
Answer: The Janata Party emerged as a coalition of opposition parties that came together to challenge the Congress party after the Emergency.
9. What led to the defeat of the Janata Party government in 1980?
Answer: Internal conflicts and disagreements within the Janata Party, along with the inability to effectively address economic challenges, led to its defeat in the 1980 elections.
10.Who emerged as the leader of the Congress party after the Emergency?
Answer: Indira Gandhi emerged as the leader of the Congress party after the Emergency and led it to victory in the 1980 elections.
11.What was the Shah Commission appointed during the Emergency?
Answer: The Shah Commission was appointed to inquire into the excesses committed during the Emergency, including arbitrary arrests and human rights violations.
12. How did the Emergency period influence the political culture in India?
Answer: The Emergency period led to a greater awareness of the importance of safeguarding democratic values and institutions, contributing to a more vigilant and participatory political culture.
13.What lessons were learned from the Emergency experience?
Answer: The Emergency experience underscored the need for strong institutional checks and balances, respect for civil liberties, and the importance of upholding democratic norms and principles.
14.How did the media resist censorship during the Emergency?
Answer: Despite censorship, some sections of the media continued to resist authoritarian control by publishing underground newsletters and engaging in covert reporting.
15.What constitutional amendments were made during the Emergency?
Answer: Several constitutional amendments were made during the Emergency, including the 42nd Amendment, which expanded the powers of the executive and curtailed fundamental rights.
Long questions and answers
1. Discuss the factors leading to the crisis of democratic order in India during the 1970s. How did events such as the Emergency period and the suspension of civil liberties under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s regime contribute to this crisis?
Answer: The crisis of democratic order in India during the 1970s stemmed from factors such as political centralization, erosion of civil liberties, and abuse of executive power.
The Emergency period (1975-1977) marked a significant turning point, characterized by the suspension of fundamental rights, mass arrests of political opponents, and censorship of the media under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s regime. These actions undermined democratic norms and institutions, leading to widespread public outrage and international condemnation.
Evaluate the role of Indira Gandhi in the crisis of democratic order in India. How did her leadership style, political decisions, and controversial policies contribute to the erosion of democratic principles and institutions?
Answer: Indira Gandhi’s leadership style, characterized by authoritarian tendencies and political centralization, played a significant role in the crisis of democratic order in India. Her decision to declare the Emergency and suspend civil liberties was seen as an attempt to consolidate power and suppress dissent.
Controversial policies such as the nationalization of banks and abolition of princely privileges further polarized public opinion and weakened democratic institutions, contributing to the erosion of democratic norms during her tenure as Prime Minister.
3. Analyze the impact of the Emergency period on civil society and opposition movements in India. How did the suspension of civil liberties and mass arrests of political opponents galvanize resistance and foster a sense of unity among diverse political forces?
Answer: The Emergency period had a profound impact on civil society and opposition movements in India. The suspension of civil liberties and mass arrests of political opponents galvanized resistance and fostered a sense of unity among diverse political forces, including opposition parties, civil society activists, and student organizations.
Movements such as the JP Movement (led by Jayaprakash Narayan) mobilized public support against authoritarianism, advocating for the restoration of democracy and fundamental rights.
4. Discuss the long-term consequences of the Emergency period on Indian politics and democratic institutions. How did the experience of authoritarian rule shape public perceptions of democracy, governance, and political leadership in India?
Answer: The Emergency period had long-term consequences on Indian politics and democratic institutions. It led to a deep-seated skepticism towards authoritarian rule and reinforced the importance of democratic principles, fundamental rights, and institutional checks and balances.
The experience of authoritarianism highlighted the fragility of democratic norms and the need for vigilant citizenry to safeguard democratic values. It also underscored the importance of accountable and transparent governance, shaping public perceptions of democracy, governance, and political leadership in India for years to come.
5. Evaluate the role of the judiciary in upholding democratic principles during the crisis of democratic order in India. How did landmark judgments such as the Kesavananda Bharati case contribute to the preservation of constitutional democracy and the rule of law?
Answer: The judiciary played a crucial role in upholding democratic principles during the crisis of democratic order in India. Landmark judgments such as the Kesavananda Bharati case reaffirmed the supremacy of the Constitution, the principle of separation of powers, and the doctrine of basic structure.
By limiting the scope of parliamentary sovereignty and protecting fundamental rights from executive encroachment, the judiciary contributed to the preservation of constitutional democracy and the rule of law during a period of political uncertainty and authoritarianism.
6. Examine the role of civil society organizations and the media in resisting authoritarianism during the Emergency period. How did these institutions mobilize public opinion, challenge state censorship, and uphold democratic values in the face of repression?
Answer: Civil society organizations and the media played a pivotal role in resisting authoritarianism during the Emergency period. Despite state censorship and repression, civil society activists, human rights organizations, and journalists bravely spoke out against violations of civil liberties and democratic norms.
They mobilized public opinion through protest rallies, underground publications, and legal advocacy, challenging state-sponsored propaganda and exposing human rights abuses. Their resilience and commitment to upholding democratic values served as a bulwark against authoritarian rule and inspired a sense of solidarity among citizens.
7. Assess the impact of the JP Movement on Indian politics and democratic governance. How did the mass mobilization led by Jayaprakash Narayan galvanize opposition to the Congress government and pave the way for the restoration of democratic order?
Answer: The JP Movement had a significant impact on Indian politics and democratic governance. Led by Jayaprakash Narayan, the mass mobilization against the Congress government galvanized opposition forces, including political parties, civil society organizations, and student groups.
The movement articulated a vision of participatory democracy, accountable governance, and social justice, resonating with diverse segments of society disillusioned with authoritarianism and corruption. It laid the groundwork for the restoration of democratic order, culminating in the defeat of the Congress in the 1977 elections and the formation of a coalition government committed to democratic values and institutional reforms.
8. Analyze the challenges faced by Indian democracy in the aftermath of the Emergency period. How did the restoration of democratic order pave the way for electoral reforms, decentralization of power, and strengthening of institutional checks and balances?
Answer: Indian democracy faced numerous challenges in the aftermath of the Emergency period, including restoring public trust in democratic institutions, safeguarding civil liberties, and rebuilding democratic norms. The restoration of democratic order provided an opportunity for electoral reforms, decentralization of power, and strengthening of institutional checks and balances.
Measures such as the 42nd Amendment Act, which imposed limitations on the power of the executive and enhanced judicial review, aimed to prevent future authoritarian excesses and consolidate democratic governance.
9. Discuss the legacy of the Emergency period on Indian democracy and political culture. How did the traumatic experience of authoritarianism shape public attitudes towards democracy, citizenship, and political participation in India?
Answer: The legacy of the Emergency period continues to shape Indian democracy and political culture. The traumatic experience of authoritarianism underscored the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of vigilant citizenship in safeguarding democratic values. It instilled a sense of resilience and commitment to democratic principles among citizens, reinforcing the idea that democracy is not merely a form of government but a way of life.
The Emergency period serves as a cautionary tale against authoritarian tendencies and a reminder of the enduring importance of upholding democratic norms and constitutional values in India.
10. Reflect on the broader implications of the crisis of democratic order in India for global democracy and governance. How did India’s experience of authoritarianism during the Emergency period contribute to discussions on democratic resilience, human rights, and the rule of law worldwide?
Answer: India’s experience of authoritarianism during the Emergency period has broader implications for global democracy and governance. It serves as a case study in democratic resilience, highlighting the capacity of civil society, independent institutions, and grassroots movements to challenge authoritarian rule and defend democratic values.
The Emergency period also sparked discussions on human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law worldwide, prompting renewed emphasis on the importance of institutional checks and balances, media freedom, and citizen participation in sustaining democratic governance. India’s journey from crisis to restoration of democratic order offers valuable lessons for countries grappling with similar challenges to their democratic systems.
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