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The Crisis of Democratic Order NCERT Political science CBSE class 12 Notes Humanitas

CBSE Class 12 Political Science NCERT Chapter Notes for The Crisis of Democratic Order Humanitas
24 April 2025 by
The Crisis of Democratic Order NCERT Political science CBSE class 12 Notes Humanitas
Humanitas

The Crisis of Democratic Order NCERT Political science CBSE class 12 Notes Humanitas

CBSE Class 12 Political Science NCERT Chapter Notes for The Crisis of Democratic Order Humanitas


In the midst of India's darkest hour, the emergency of 1975-77, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi seized absolute power, silencing opposition voices and crushing civil liberties. Judiciary, once an independent body, was reduced to mere spectator as Gandhi's regime tightened its grip. The declaration of emergency centralised authority, but at the cost of civil liberties. This era was marked with the rise of protest in Gujarat and Bihar, and a struggling economy. Ultimately, the 1977 elections underscored India's commitment to democracy and the consequences of anti-democratic actions. 

Conflict Among The Two Pillars: Indira Gandhi's Leadership and Challenges

Indira Gandhi's ascent to power was marked by a period of intense Political turmoil, characterised by escalating tensions between the executive and judiciary. 

  • The Supreme Court repeatedly struck down the government's measure as unconstitutional. Congress argued that the court was sabotaging their efforts to uplift the poor, and contradicted democratic and legislative supremacy norms. 
  • Meanwhile, opposition parties sensed a shift in Gandhi's leadership as she consolidated power and tightened her grip, thereby increasing her personal authority.
  • The congress party soon suffered a split which only fueled the discontent between Indira Gandhi and her opponents. 

Impact on the Indian Economy

  • Congress “Garibi Hatao” campaign was supposed to be a light of hope for the country's deteriorating economic situation. But, as the Bangladesh crises and war with Pakistan unfolded, the country's socio-economic conditions remained shrouded in darkness. 
  • The US withdrew its aid, and global oil prices skyrocketed, with the commodity prices increasing by 23 percent in 1973 to 30 percent in 1974. 
  • The lack of industrial growth, and rampant rural unemployment crippled the economy. The government decided to freeze the wages of its employees which further made the situation worse. 
  • And as if fate itself was conspiring against India, the monsoon failed in 1972, devastating agricultural productivity. 
  • Amidst this chaos, the naxalite movement and student unrest ignited, further affecting the economic and political landscape of the country.

Gujarat and Bihar Uprisings

It was a time of great upheaval in India as student protests in Bihar shook the very foundation of the government. 

Morarji’s Leadership in Gujarat

  • In Gujarat, people were fed up with the rising prices, corruption and unemployment and therefore asked for change. This resulted in the President's rule and demand for elections. 
  • Morarji Desai, a fearless leader from Congress O stood at the forefront of the movement, threatening to fast indefinitely until their demands were met.
  • Elections took place in Gujarat in 1975, and in a stunning turn of events, the congress party was defeated. 
  • The protests in Bihar in 1974 were just as intense, as the people rose up against the corrupt government.

JP Narayan's Leadership in Bihar

  • In Bihar, the Students movement against the Congress Administration’s Governance was led by Jayaprakash Narayan.
  • Jayaprakash Narayan demanded the resignation of Bihar's Congress government and a transformation of Indian society, politics and economy. 
  • People from diverse sections including the railway employees came together and led mass protests and strikes that shook the very foundation of national politics.
  • In 1975, JP led a historic march to parliament, rallying non congress parties to the cause.
  • But as the movement gained momentum, critique of JP’s vision and tactics emerged, plunging the nation in the tumultuous era of political upheaval. 

Conflicts between the Ruling Party & the Judiciary

It was a time when the ruling party and the judiciary got into a number of conflicts which directly impacted the political landscape of the nation. 

  • The Parliament’s Authority: in the battle of protecting the soul of the constitution that is fundamental rights, there was a big debate about whether the parliament has the power to change the fundamental rights and the property rights through constitutional amendments. This raised a question on how to balance fundamental rights and Directive Principles of State policy. 
  • Kesavananda Bharati Case: the kesavananda Bharati Case was a major turning point, as the supreme court ruled that parliament just can't change the constitution’s basic principle. This created tension between the judiciary and the executive. 
  • Chief Justice Appointment: the Appointment of A.N. Ray as a chief justice of India was a final straw, as the government's interference with judicial independence threatened to undermine the very fabric of India's democracy.


The Declaration of National emergency

Reason for the Declaration of Emergency

  • Unlawful Election: the Allahabad High court gave a verdict against Indira Gandhi declaring that Indira Gandhi's election was tainted by corruption. These legal challenges jeopardized her position as prime minister. 
  • Demand for Resignation: the Prime Minister’s misuse of government resources had sparked widespread outrage, and opposition parties, led by fearless Jayaprakash Narayan demanded her resignation. 
  • State of Emergency: as the protest raged across the country, the government responded by declaring Emergency under the Article 352 of the constitution, thereby centralising authority.

Ramifications of Declaring Emergency

imagine living in a country where the government controls what newspapers can publish, ban the organisations, and prohibit protest and strike. This is what happened in India during the emergency.

  • Press Censorship: the Indian government imposed severe restriction on civil liberties during the emergency. Press freedom was severely curtailed. The newspapers were required to ask for approval before publishing any news, which restricted the Freedom of Expression. 
  • Ban on Organisations: to prevent any opposition, the government banned the organisations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Moreover, protests and strikes were prohibited. 
  • Suspended Fundamental Rights: the suspension of fundamental rights, including the right to petition the court, and the extensive use of preventive detention underscored the government's attempt to consolidate power. 
  • Judiciary Impact: The Supreme Court's ruling that enabled the government to limit citizens’ right to life and liberty, raises important questions about the relationship between judiciary and executive. 
  • Opposition and Protests: despite the stringent measures imposed during the emergency, opposition forces continued to mobilize against the government. The political activist operated underground, orchestrating anti-government protests. Additionally, several journals resisted censorship with some opting to shut down, or publish underground material. 
  • Constitutional Amendments: the government implemented various constitutional amendments including the 42nd amendment, which extended the tenure of legislature and restricted challenged elections involving Prime Minister, President and Vice President. 


Assessment of Emergency

favour of the emergency

  • The Indian constitution had listed “internal disturbances” as a cause for emergency declaration. However these internal disturbances never occured in the country before 1975. The government used this clause of internal disturbances as a justification for the implementation of emergency. The government believed that the ruling party must be able to control the administration as per its policies, without any protest. 
  • The supporters of Emergency agreed to this claim, by arguing that extra-parliamentary politics that targets the government are prohibited. This kind of unnecessary protest diverts the attention of administration from development. 
  • Indira Gandhi alleged in a letter to the Shah Commision that subversive forces were attempting to hinder the government’s progressive initiative and force her out of her office through unconstitutional means. 
  • The CPI, which was Congress party supporter, also argued in favour of congress by saying that there was a global plot to affect India's unity, and that's why some restriction on protest was necessary.


Opposition to Emergency

  • In a stunning reversal after the emergency, the CPI discovered that its initial take on JP led movements was woefully inaccurate. The movement was not just about middle class people rebelling  against the Congress party radical views. It was something far more profound. 
  • Critics of emergency, however, pointed out that public disputes have been a hallmark of Indian politics since the independence movement. 
  • JP and other opposition leaders were adamant that people should be able to openly criticise the government openly. 
  • A critical examination of agitations in Gujarat and Bihar reveals that they were largely characterized by peaceful and nonviolent protest. Moreover, the individuals detained during this period were not implicated in any anti-national activities.
  • A large number of prisoners were not facing any formal charges, underscoring the administration’s capacity to address the issues without recourse to extraordinary measures like- emergency. The threat was actually to the ruling party and the prime minister, rather than the unity and integrity of the nation. 


Shah Commission

To find the excesses committed during the emergency period, the Janata party had constituted the Shah Commision. 

  • In the chilling display of authoritarian power, the Indian government detained a staggering 110,000 people without trial or charge. The Shah Commision further exposed the blatant misuse of preventive detention. 
  • The report also highlights the arbitrary implementation of the press Censorship, often without recourse to legal procedures. 
  • A notable instance of this censorship was the verbal instruction issued on 26th of June, 1975, by Lt. Governor of Delhi’s office to Delhi Power Supply Corporation to shut off electricity to newspaper presses, effectively silencing the press for an extended period. 
  • The Commision also questioned the use of government power by the Prime minister's son Sanjay Gandhi who held no official position at the time of the emergency. He was held responsible for large scale demolitions and forced sterilizations in Delhi. 


The Lessons of the Emergency

  • First, the emergency was a defining moment in India's history. It revealed the strengths and weaknesses of India's democratic fabric. One of the key takeaways from this period is the inherent difficulty in undermining India's democratic institutions. 
  • Second, the experience also laid out the ambiguities of the constitution's emergency provision, which were later clarified to prevent future abuses. Now the only justification for declaring internal emergency is “armed rebellion”, and the government must put its advice to the President in writing. 
  • Third, the emergency was a wake up call for citizens, a reminder of the importance of constitutional rights and the need for eternal vigilance in protecting them. 


Political Transformation After the Emergency

The 1977 elections were like a moment of truth for india. The emergency with its draconian measures and disregard for democratic norms had left an indelible mark on the nation, particularly in North India. 

People refused to be silenced. The opposition rally was based on the slogan of “Save Democracy”. The electorate rose up, rejecting the emergency and its architects. 

This was not merely an electoral defeat of congress but it was a testament to the enduring power of democracy. The event of 1975-77 strengthened India's democracy inside out. 

1977 Lok Sabha Elections

After the eighteen months of emergency, the government announced elections. They released all the opposition party leaders and activists from jail. Despite time constraints, the opposition parties rapidly worked towards making this election a success. 

  • It was a period when Janata Party emerged, uniting major opposition forces under Jayaprakash’s leadership. Additionally, this party also gave space to some congress leaders who opposed the emergency. 
  • Meanwhile, Jagjivan Ram led a group of congressmen to form the Congress for Democracy, which later merged with the Janata Party. 
  • The Janata Party turned this election into a vote on emergency. The party's campaign focussed on the undemocratic nature of democracy, and its numerous excesses. 
  • To prevent Congress from winning the election, the leaders of Janata party made sure that the votes from non-congress parties were not fragmented. Ultimately leading to the historic defeat of congress. 
  • The election result came out as a shocker for everyone. Since independence, it was for the first time that the congress party lost elections. 
  • Congress was not able to win from any constituency in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. Congress could only secure one seat each in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Indira Gandhi had stood from Rae Bareli seat, while Sanjay Gandhi stood from Amethi. Both of them suffered a defeat.
  • However congress didn't lose in all the states. It was able to secure a large number of seats in Maharashtra,  Gujarat and Orissa, and took over the southern states. 
  • The excesses of emergency in terms of forced sterilizations, relocations and displacement happened in Northern states. 
  • As Congress party's grip on power began to slip, Janata party provided a platform for uniting fragmented groups and harnessing the discontent of north India's middle caste, who were abandoning the congress in droves. 


Janata Party Government and Political Shifts

In the aftermath of 1977 elections, Janata Party seized power but its victory was short-lived. A brutal leadership battle began among the leaders like Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram. Morarji Desai emerged victorious, however, the internal power struggle persisted. 

  • The party's unity against emergency was its greatest strength. However soon, the party's lack of vision, and internal power struggle led to its decline. 
  • Due to divisions within the party, the Morarji Desai government lost the majority within 18 months. Charan Singh was able to form a government with congress support, however it was short lived. Soon, congress withdrew its support and the party lost the majority.
  • In the Lok Sabha elections of 1980, tha Janata party faced defeat, particularly in northern India. 
  • Between 1977-79, voters made it clear that they wouldn't tolerate a government that seemed unstable or divided. 
  • During this time, the Congress was working towards its transformation. They ditched their old image of a party that catered to everyone and rebranded themselves as socialist party who works for the poor. 
  • This forced the opposition parties to rally behind the idea of a unified “non congress front” to prevent vote fragmentation. 
  •  The 1977 elections were a game changer for backward castes in north india. They played a huge role in shaping the outcome of assembly elections and helping the non-congress government take power. 
  • There was an increase of confrontations against the reservation for OBCs, especially in Bihar. This resistance against reservation led to the formation of Mandal Commision by Janta Party.

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