हिंदी
CBSEScience (English Medium) Class 12
प्रश्न पत्र२६३९
पाठ्यपुस्तक उत्तर२५९९७
MCQ ऑनलाइन अभ्यास परीक्षा४३
महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न एवं उत्तर२६०६३
अवधारणा स्पष्टीकरण और वीडियो६२९
समय सारणी२४
पाठ्यक्रम

Overview of Crisis of the Democratic Order

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Topics

Estimated time: 31 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Economic Context (early 1970s)

  • Despite the “Garibi Hatao” slogan, economic conditions did not improve much after 1971–72.
  • Bangladesh crisis and Indo-Pak war (1971) put heavy strain on India’s economy.
  • Oil price rise in the international market caused high inflation (23% in 1973, 30% in 1974).
  • Industrial growth was low and unemployment was high, especially in rural areas.
  • Monsoon failures (1972–73) reduced agricultural productivity and food-grain output fell.
  • Widespread public dissatisfaction led to protests, student unrest, and the rise of Naxalite movements.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Gujarat and Bihar Movements

  • In 1974, student protests began in Gujarat and Bihar against price rise, corruption, and unemployment.
  • In Gujarat, protests led to President’s Rule and demands for fresh Assembly elections.
  • Morarji Desai supported the Gujarat movement and threatened an indefinite fast.
  • Assembly elections were held in June 1975, and the Congress was defeated in Gujarat.
  • In Bihar, students invited Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) to lead the movement.
  • JP called for non-violent “Total Revolution” in social, economic, and political life.
  • The movement gained national support with bandhs, strikes, and mass rallies.
  • Opposition parties projected JP as an alternative to Indira Gandhi, though she saw it as a personal attack. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan (JP)

  • Marxist in his youth and later became a Gandhian socialist leader.
  • Founder and general secretary of the Congress Socialist Party.
  • Key role in the Quit India Movement (1942).
  • He led the Bihar movement and gave the call for Total Revolution.
  • Symbol of opposition to the Emergency.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Railway Strike of 1974

  • In May 1974, railway employees launched a nationwide strike led by George Fernandes.
  • The strike demanded better wages, bonus, and service conditions.
  • Caused major disruption to transport and the national economy.
  • Government declared the strike illegal, arrested leaders, and used forces to protect railways.
  • After about 20 days, the strike was called off without any settlement.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Conflict with Judiciary

  • Serious conflict between the government and the judiciary.
  • Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot abridge Fundamental Rights.
  • This was confirmed in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).
  • Tensions increased when the government bypassed senior judges to appoint Justice A. N. Ray as Chief Justice of India.
  • The confrontation peaked when the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi’s election invalid.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Crisis and Response (Emergency, 1975)

  • Opposition parties led by Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) demanded Indira Gandhi’s resignation and organised mass protests.
  • On 25 June 1975, a huge demonstration was held at Ramlila Grounds, Delhi.
  • JP called for a nationwide satyagraha and asked officials to disobey illegal orders.
  • Government declared a National Emergency on 25 June 1975.
  • Article 352 of the Constitution was invoked to impose the Emergency.
  • Fundamental Rights were curtailed and power became concentrated in the Union government.
  • Opposition leaders were arrested, newspapers censored, and political activity restricted.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Consequences of the Emergency

  • Emergency ended agitations, banned strikes, and jailed opposition leaders.
  • Press freedom was suspended and newspapers were put under strict censorship.
  • Organisations like RSS and Jamaat-e-Islami were banned and public protests were disallowed.
  • Fundamental Rights were suspended, including the right to move courts for their enforcement.
  • The government used preventive detention laws for large-scale arrests without trial.
  • In April 1976, the Supreme Court ruled that during Emergency even the right to life and liberty could be suspended.
  • There was limited resistance.
  • Major constitutional changes, especially the 42nd Amendment. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Lessons of the Emergency

  • Emergency showed both the strengths and weaknesses of Indian democracy.
  • It is difficult to destroy democracy in India for long.
  • Emergency can now be declared only on grounds of armed rebellion.
  • President must act on written advice of the Union Cabinet to proclaim Emergency.
  • People became more aware of the importance of civil liberties and democratic rights.
  • People became more aware of the importance of civil liberties and democratic rights.
  • Judiciary took a more active role in protecting civil liberties.
  • The Emergency highlighted the misuse of police and administration.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Morarji Desai

  • Freedom fighter and a committed Gandhian leader.
  • Strongly supported khadi, naturopathy, and prohibition.
  • Chief Minister of Bombay State and Deputy Prime Minister (1967–69).
  • After the Congress split, he joined Congress (O).
  • He became Prime Minister of India (1977–79), the first from a non-Congress party.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Lok Sabha Elections, 1977

  • After 18 months of Emergency, elections were held in March 1977.
  • Opposition parties united to form the Janata Party under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan.
  • Election was fought as a referendum on the Emergency and its excesses.
  • Public opinion turned strongly against the Congress.
  • For the first time since Independence, the Congress was defeated in Lok Sabha elections.
  • Janata Party and its allies won 330 seats.
  • Congress performed very poorly in North India, and Indira Gandhi lost from Rae Bareli.
  • Congress retained strength in southern and western States.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Janata Government

  • The Janata Party formed the government after the 1977 elections, but it was internally divided.
  • Power struggle between Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, and Jagjivan Ram for Prime Ministership.
  • Morarji Desai became Prime Minister.
  • Janata government lacked unity and a clear programme, and lost its majority within 28 months.
  • Fresh elections in 1980 brought the Congress back to power under Indira Gandhi.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Chaudhary Charan Singh

  • Freedom fighter and a major leader from Uttar Pradesh.
  • Strong supporter of farmers and rural development.
  • He left the Congress and founded the Bharatiya Kranti Dal in 1967.
  • He was a founder of the Janata Party and served as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister (1977–79).
  • He became Prime Minister of India from July 1979 to January 1980.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Legacy

  • Between 1977 and 1980, India’s party system changed significantly, not just Indira Gandhi’s return.
  • Congress shifted from a broad-based party to one relying on ideology and the appeal of a single leader.
  • Opposition parties learned the need for unity to avoid division of non-Congress votes.
  • Politics of backward castes and reservations gained importance after 1977.
  • Emergency exposed a serious constitutional and political crisis in Indian democracy.
  • It highlighted the tension between institutional democracy and mass popular movements. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Jagjivan Ram

  • Freedom fighter and senior Congress leader from Bihar.
  • Deputy Prime Minister of India (1977–79).
  • Member of the Constituent Assembly and a Member of Parliament from 1952 till his death.
  • He was Labour Minister in independent India’s first Cabinet.
  • Known as a scholar, effective administrator, and mass leader.
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