Mention the main reason for the defeat of Congress Party in the elections of 1977.
Imposition of ‘Emergency’ by Congress led to its defeat.
Explain any four consequences of emergency declared on 25 June, 1975.
The Consequences were:
(i) According to Shah Commission nearly one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested under Preventive detention laws.
(ii) Torture and custodial deaths occurred, arbitrary relocation of poor people and compulsory sterilization.
(iii) Formation of Janata Party and the defeat of congress in most of the states.
(iv) Democratic functioning were suspended and draconian measures were adopted.
Why is the ‘Emergency’ and the period around it known as the period of Constitutional crisis? Explain.
(i) Conflict between Parliament and the Judiciary on the question ‘can the Parliament abridge the Fundamental Rights’.
(ii) Can the Parliament curtail the right to property? Court responded by stating it cannot amend the Constitution to curtail the rights.
(iii) The Parliament amended the Constitution saying that it can abridge no Fundamental Right for giving effect to Directive Principles, but the Supreme Court also rejected it.
Due to these conflicts, this period is called the period of Constitutional Crisis.
What was the main demand of the railway men during the railway strike led by George Fernandes in 1974?
The demands were related to bonus and service conditions.