(a) Why is the period of emergency described as a period of political crisis?

Question

Read the following passage and answer the following questions: The emergency and the period around it can be described as a period of the constitutional crisis because it had its origins in the constitutional battle over the jurisdiction of the parliament and the judiciary. On the other hand, it was also a period of political crisis. The party in power had absolute majority and yet, its leadership decided to suspend the democratic process. 

(a) Why is the period of emergency described as a period of political crisis?

(b) What were the issues of dispute between judiciary and parliament during 1970’s?

(c) How did the role of mass protest during emergency reflect the attributed aspiration of people?

Answer 1

a. The period of emergency is described as a period of political crisis because of: 

i. Invoked article 352 of the constitution 

ii. Grave crisis 

iii. Suspension of fundamental rights 

iv. Press censorship and electricity failure 

b. The issues of dispute between judiciary and parliament during 1970’s were : 

i. Abridgement of fundamental rights 

ii. Curtailment of right to property 

iii. Abridge fundamental rights to give effect to directive principles of the state policy 

c. The role of mass protest during emergency : 

i. reflected the attributed aspiration of people 

ii. call for nationwide strike 

iii. Mass agitations 

iv. railway strike