The Crisis of Democratic Order
The Crisis of Democratic Order is the chapter from political science of Class 12 covering the complete syllabus of the Crisis of Democratic Order with last years important questions much useful for Board exams appearing Students and Competitions.
The Crisis of Democratic Order
The Crisis of Democratic Order as background of Emergency:
Since 1967 lots of Political changes have been taken place . In The Crisis of Democratic Order Indira Gandhi emerged as a successful leader with huge popularity among the people. Party competition during this period became bitter and polarised. During this period there was the tension between the government and Judiciary. Many times Supreme Court found the Government violating constitution. Congress described the Court were becoming conservatives which create the obstacles in the implementation of pro- poor programs on the other hand opposition was thinking that politics had been personalized and government machinery was being used on Indira Gandhi’s personal authority .
Economic Context as The Crisis of Democratic Order :
During The Crisis of Democratic Order the Economic and Social Condition of the did not improve even Congress won the 1971 election on the slogan of “Garibi Hatao” . The Bangladesh had adversely effected the Economy because more than 8 million people came to East Pakistan to India, Bangladesh War, U,S refused to aid India , Oil Prices increased many times. High Price of all the commodities . Price Increased by 23% and 30% in 1973,1974 respectively People were suffering due to high inflation. Industrial growth was low and Unemployment was increasing and food production decline by 8%
Movement Before The Emergency as The Crisis of Democratic Order
The students of Gujarat and Bihar started the movement which created the Crisis of Democratic Order
a) Gujarat Movement : The students of Gujarat protested against the Price rise of the essential commodities such as food grains, cooking oil and corruption in the Government and major political parties joined them which widespread in the state consequently the President Rule was imposed. Morarji Desai declared indefinite fast if fresh election were not held in the state under the tense situation election were held in June 1975 and Congress was defeated.
b) Bihar Movement : Similarly in March 1974 the students protested against the Government for Price Rise, Food Shortage, Unemployment and Corruption . Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) rose against the Congress government. He called for total Revolution in Social, Economic and Political Sphere for the establishment of true democracy on the other hand nation wide Railways Employees strike was led Gorge Fernandes.
c)Conflict with Judiciary asThe Crisis of Democratic Order:
The Indian government and Judiciary were having difference in their opinion o the three major issues i) The Supreme Court said that Parliament could not abridge the Fundamental Rights including Right to property ii) Parliament Could not amend so that Rights may not be curtail iii) The Supreme Court rejected the proposition in which The Parliament amended the constitution on the grounds that Fundamental Rights could be abridged for implementing the directive Principles iv) The appointment of Chief Justice was also the subject of Controversy in 1973 AN Ray was appointed the chief Justice ignoring the seniority of three judges v) On 12th June 1973 Allahabad High Court declared Indira Election invalid on the petition of Raj Narain she could not remain as PM unless once again becomes MP with in six months.
d) The Crisis of Democratic Order :
On 25 th June 1975 the massive protest led by JP Narayan on Ram Leela ground for the resignation of Indira Gandhi. JP announced a nationwide Satyagraha for the resignation of Gandhi and asked the army, the police and government employees not to obey illegal Orders . Indira Government taking the ground of threat to internal disturbances under Article 352 of the constitution declared “National Emergency” by the President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on 26th of June 1975 , in which Government got the special powers. Under Emergency the Federal Distribution of Powers remain suspended and all the powers were centralized, Government got the powers to restrict the Fundamental Rights in which democratic politics could not functionThe Emergency and the period around it can be describe the period of Constitution Crisis and Political crisis because the party had absolute majority but leadership decided tosuspended the demcratic process.The Constitution makers thought all poltical parties would abide by the democratic norms and during emergency they would use power within the rule of law.
e) Consequences of Emergency as The Crisis of Democratic Order
With the imposition of emergency all agitation, strikes and bandh were banned , The Press Censorship was imposed and no news media could publish the political news without the approval of Government. RSS and Jamait -e- Islami were banned with the fear of social and communal disharmony. Fundamental Rights and right of Citizens to move to Courts were suspended , Many people and Political Leaders of opposition were arrested and detained with the view that they might commit any offence which could be threat to nation Many of Political leaders went underground. In the The Crisis of Democratic Order Several High Courts had ruled that the writ of Habeas Corpus filed a person challenging his or her detention can be heard but Supreme Court ‘constitution bench overruled the High Court in April 1976 and approved the government plea. It means that Government could take away a citizens right to life and liberty in Emergency. Many of the National awardee returned their awards as Kannada writer Shivarama Karnath, Fanishwar Anath Renu( Padam Bhusan) protest against suspension of Democracy. An amendment was made that no one could challenge the election of President, Vice President and PM . 4d2nd amendment was passed in which Powers of Supreme and High Court had tried to reduce.
Lesson Learnt from The Crisis of Democratic Order:
It proved that Spirit of Democracy could not be crushed under emergency. the provision was made in Constitution that Emergency can only be proclaimed on the grounds of army rebellion and any such advice to President must be written from Council of Ministers . Everyone in the Crisis of Democratic Order became aware of importance of civil liberties and Court played important role in restoring it . The Anti Democratic Government is unacceptable in our Country. The unstable and quarrelsome Governments are being punished by Voters.
Politics After Emergency as The Crisis of Democratic Order :
In January 1977 after 18 months, the Emergency was finished , all activists and leaders were released from Jail and they contested Election on the slogan of ‘Save Democracy’ which held in March 1977. All opposition parties came together on the same platform to contest the election under the newly formed party ” Janta Party” Leadership of JP Narayan
Some Congress Party Leader left Congress formed the party under leadership of Jagjivan Ram named Congress for Democracy later on merged in Janta Party. Janta Party campaign focused on non Democratic Character of rule and the activities that took place during Emergency.
Finally Congress Party was defeated secured 35% of Vote share with 154 seats, Janta Party won 330 seats with it’s alliances and won 295 seats itself After the Election the tussle began as the Crisis of Democratic Order within Janta Party to become PM among Morarji Desai, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Charan Singh . Finally Morarji Desai with 18 months Morarji Government lost the majority and Janta Party split than Charan Singh became unstable PM than election was announced in 1980 the Congress party Came in power in complete majority.
The issue of reservation for OBC became controversial in Bihar and Mandal Commission was appointed by Janta Party, the Government at the Centre.
The Crisis of Democratic Order as Democratic Upsurges :
The First Democratic Upsurges took place from 1950-1970 which was based of the participation of Indian Adult Voters to democratic Politics of Centre and States , Crating the false myth that success of democracy requires modernization, urbanization , education .access to media are successful holding of election.
II nd Democratic Upsurge took place during 1980 of increasing active participation of SC, ST, OBC . This participation has made Indian Politics more accommodative and accessible to all classes.
IIIrd Democratic Upsurge during 1990 in the era of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization is attributed to emergence of Competitive market society and Politics. It represent competitive electoral market which was based on the survival of the best
Rise of Famous Personalities in The Crisis of Democratic Order
Jay Prakash Narayan : Popularly known as Lok Nayak was the Indian active leader of Independence , Socialist and Political Leader . He is well-known for Fight against Corruption, Principle of Communitarian Socialist , Championing the Total Revolution of 1977. He was the First Leader in Post Independence India who led in the participation of youth against corruption in Gujarat and Bihar. He advocated the office of Lokpal . He believed in true Federation with Community, Region and Rashtra by this he advocated of transformation of individual, Society and state
Concept Of Total Revolution : It meant the Social Revolution with equality and brotherhood society, Decentralization of economy and bring Economic equality by taking Village as unit of development, Ending of Political crrouption, decentalisation of politics and making the public the partner by giving them more rights, Cultural Revolution by defending Indian Culture along with regeneration of culture values , Education Revolution by changing the education system, Spiritual Revolution by developing the moral and Spiritual values with the change the way of thinking to bring the change in the scoiety with the idea of Sarvodaya
Ram Manhor Lohia and Socialism: He was the Socialist, Leader, Thinker and Freedom Fighter , one of the member of the Founder of Congress Socialist Party after the split the leader of Socialist party and than Samyukta Socialist Party. He was the true follower of Socialism in India. He gave the idea of Democratic Socialism and always against Communism and capitalism for Indian Society .He had (i)Economic objective in the form of food and Housing (ii) Non Economic Objective in the form of Democracy and freedom. He advocated “CHOUBURJA RAJNEETI” in which he opines four pillars of Politics and Socialism are Centre, Region, District and Village . He supported the Party of Socialism.
Deendayal Upadhyaya and Humanism: He was great Philosopher, Sociologist , Economist and Politician. He presented the philosophy of “Integral Humanism” which was to present “indigenous Scio Economic Model” in which human being the Centre of development so that every person is ensure with dignified life with fulfilling the needs of person and society. He support the sustainable consumption of natural resources . Itshould not only enhances political but also economic and social freedom so his main principles were i) Primacy of Whole not part ii) Supremacy Of Dharma iii) Autonomy of Society . He always opposed the western Capitalism, Individualism and Marxist Socialism. His Philosophy was based on internal coscience,pure human Soul to be called Chitti . he believed in classless and Conflict free social system. He believed in Indianization of Democracy focused on Economic Democracy
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