Class 12 Political Science - BIHAR
Crisis of Democratic Order
The chapter 'Crisis of Democratic Order' in Class 12 Political Science explores the most turbulent phase in independent India's political history, marked by the 1975 Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. For Bihar (BSEB) board students, this chapter is extremely important as Bihar was the epicentre of the JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan, which directly challenged the central government. Students will learn about the constitutional context, extra-constitutional governance, suppression of fundamental rights, judicial conflicts, and the eventual restoration of democracy through the 1977 general elections, carrying significant weight in board exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Emergency of 1975
A state of national emergency declared on June 25, 1975, citing 'internal disturbances', which suspended fundamental rights, censored the press, and imprisoned opposition leaders.
JP Movement and Bihar Movement
A student-led protest in Bihar in 1974 against rising prices, unemployment, and corruption, later led by Jayaprakash Narayan, calling for 'Total Revolution' and transforming into a nationwide anti-Congress movement.
Constitutional and Institutional Conflict
A intense tussle between the Executive (Indira Gandhi's government) and the Judiciary over parliamentary supremacy, fundamental rights, and the appointment of the Chief Justice of India.
Shah Commission
A commission of inquiry appointed by the Janata Party government in 1977 to investigate the cases of abuse of power, political detentions, and excesses committed during the Emergency.
The 1977 Elections
The watershed general election where the newly formed Janata Party came to power, marking the first time the Congress party lost power at the Centre and establishing the multi-party coalition era.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 12 Political Science board exam, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 10 marks. Questions frequently include Short Answer Questions (SAQ) on the causes of the Emergency, Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQ) regarding dates and key figures like Jayaprakash Narayan, and Long Answer Questions (LAQ) analysing the lessons learned from the Emergency and its impact on Indian democracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Emergency declared in 1975?
The government cited 'internal disturbances' as the official reason, following growing political agitations like the JP movement, economic crises, and the Allahabad High Court verdict invalidating Indira Gandhi's election.
What was the role of Bihar in the Crisis of Democratic Order?
Bihar served as the birthplace of the anti-government student agitation in 1974, which soon expanded into a statewide movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) demanding 'Total Revolution', ultimately laying the groundwork for nationwide opposition unity.
What are the major lessons learned from the Emergency?
The Emergency highlighted the resilience of Indian democracy, demonstrated that democratic traditions cannot easily be uprooted, led to stronger safeguards for civil liberties, and proved the vital role of an independent judiciary and free press.
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