Chapter 15 – Democratic Resurgence
Q1. What was the Emergency in India?
The Emergency was a 21-month period (1975–1977) when civil liberties were suspended, press censored, and political opposition jailed under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s rule.
Q2. Why was the Emergency declared in 1975?
Indira Gandhi declared Emergency citing internal disturbances after the Allahabad High Court invalidated her election and growing protests led by JP Narayan.
Q3. What were the main features of the Emergency?
Suspension of fundamental rights, press censorship, arrests of opposition leaders, postponement of elections, and increased central control.
Q4. What is Article 352 of the Constitution?
It allows the President to declare National Emergency if the security of India is threatened by war, external aggression, or internal disturbance.
Q5. Who led the opposition movement during Emergency?
Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) led the movement demanding restoration of democracy and called for “Total Revolution.”
Q6. What was the impact on civil liberties during Emergency?
Citizens lost the right to free speech, dissent was suppressed, thousands were detained without trial under preventive detention laws.
Q7. What was the role of judiciary during Emergency?
The judiciary, especially in the ADM Jabalpur case, supported the government, ruling that fundamental rights could be suspended.
Q8. How did the press respond during Emergency?
Most of the press was censored, critical reports were banned, and media freedom was severely curtailed.
Q9. What was the 42nd Constitutional Amendment?
Passed during Emergency, it gave Parliament more power, curtailed judicial review, and added words like “Socialist” and “Secular” to the Preamble.
Q10. What were forced sterilizations?
Under Sanjay Gandhi’s population control drive, many poor men were sterilized, often through coercion, creating public anger.
Q11. How did people react to the Emergency?
Though initially accepted, opposition grew due to suppression, forced sterilizations, and media censorship, leading to resentment and political backlash.
Q12. What happened in the 1977 elections?
Congress was defeated for the first time; Janata Party came to power, ending the Emergency and restoring democratic norms.
Q13. What is the Janata Party?
A coalition of opposition parties formed in 1977 to defeat Congress, comprising Bharatiya Lok Dal, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and others.
Q14. What was the significance of the 1977 elections?
It marked the return of democracy, people’s rejection of authoritarianism, and showed that elections could bring change.
Q15. How did democracy survive after the Emergency?
Strong institutions, public resistance, media revival, and the 1977 election ensured that democracy returned and authoritarianism was rejected.
Q16. What happened to the Janata government?
It collapsed in 1979 due to internal conflicts, and Congress returned to power in the 1980 elections under Indira Gandhi.
Q17. What is Total Revolution?
JP Narayan’s idea of transforming political, economic, educational, and social systems to create a just and participatory democracy.
Q18. How did Emergency affect federalism?
The central government overpowered state governments, dismissed some state governments, and weakened the federal balance.
Q19. How did Emergency affect political awareness?
It increased political participation, public awareness, and youth activism, especially during and after the 1977 elections.
Q20. What is the lesson from Emergency for Indian democracy?
Democracy is resilient, but institutions must remain vigilant to prevent authoritarian tendencies from returning.
Q21. What was the role of civil society during Emergency?
Many civil society groups, students, and activists protested, went underground, or organized resistance against undemocratic actions.
Q22. What was the Shah Commission?
Formed in 1977 to investigate abuses during the Emergency; it reported violations of human rights and misuse of power.
Q23. What was Indira Gandhi’s justification for Emergency?
She claimed Emergency was necessary to maintain law and order, economic stability, and national unity.
Q24. How did Emergency impact the credibility of the Congress?
Congress’s image suffered due to authoritarianism and rights violations, leading to their electoral defeat in 1977.
Q25. How did the Emergency influence later politics?
It triggered electoral reforms, strengthened civil society, and became a reference point for democratic values and civil liberties.
Q26. What role did students play during Emergency?
Students joined JP’s movement, participated in protests, and became politically active, especially in Bihar and Gujarat.
Q27. What were the constitutional implications of Emergency?
Emergency exposed how easily fundamental rights could be curbed, leading to future reforms to protect constitutional safeguards.
Q28. How did the media bounce back post-Emergency?
The press reasserted its role in democracy, became more critical and vocal in defending freedom of expression.
Q29. How did the Emergency end?
Indira Gandhi lifted Emergency in 1977 and called for elections, which led to her party’s defeat and restoration of democracy.
Q30. What does the Emergency teach about the role of the people?
It proves that people can reject dictatorship, and that democratic participation is vital for the health of a republic.