Question

Analyse the main causes and consequences of the Emergency imposed in 1975. How did the Emergency affect the politics of the country?

Hint:

Analyze both short-term and long-term political impacts of the Emergency to provide a comprehensive answer.

Answer 1

Causes of the Emergency.
{Political instability:} Mass protests, student unrest, and a growing opposition movement threatened the Congress-led government.
{Judicial ruling:} The Allahabad High Court’s verdict invalidating Indira Gandhi’s election intensified political turmoil. {Economic crisis:} High inflation, unemployment, and declining agricultural output worsened public discontent.
{Internal security threats:} Movements such as the JP Movement and Naxalite insurgency were perceived as destabilizing forces.
Consequences of the Emergency. {Suppression of rights:} Fundamental freedoms were curtailed, press censorship was imposed, and opposition leaders were jailed.
{Authoritarian governance:} The executive consolidated power, sidelining parliamentary democracy.
{Forced sterilization program:} A controversial population control campaign led to human rights abuses.
{Democratic resurgence:} The 1977 elections saw the Congress defeat, highlighting public rejection of authoritarianism.
The Emergency marked a pivotal moment in Indian democracy, reinforcing the importance of constitutional safeguards and public accountability.