Class 12 Political Science - RAJASTHAN
Crisis of Democratic Order
The chapter 'Crisis of Democratic Order' in Class 12 Political Science (RBSE) explores one of the most turbulent phases in independent India's political history. It covers the imposition of the nationwide Emergency in 1975 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, examining the background of economic hardships, student movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan, and institutional conflicts between the judiciary and the executive. The chapter details the political and civil consequences of the Emergency, the suspension of fundamental rights, press censorship, and the subsequent 1977 Lok Sabha elections that restored democracy. It is crucial for board exams as it tests analytical understanding of democratic resilience.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Emergency of 1975
A nationwide state of emergency declared on June 25, 1975, suspending civil liberties, fundamental rights, and democratic processes.
Total Revolution
A movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan demanding total social, economic, and political transformation against government corruption and misrule.
Shah Commission
A commission appointed by the Janata Party government in 1977 to inquire into the excesses committed during the Emergency.
42nd Amendment
A major constitutional amendment passed during the Emergency that made wide-ranging changes, including changes to the tenure of Lok Sabha and fundamental duties.
Janata Party Government
The non-Congress coalition that came to power after winning the 1977 elections, forming India's first non-Congress central government.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Rajasthan Board (RBSE) Class 12 Political Science examinations, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions often include short-answer questions on the causes of the Emergency, map-based or conceptual questions about the 1977 elections, and essay-type questions evaluating the lessons learned by Indian democracy from the Emergency period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main reasons behind the declaration of Emergency in 1975?
Economic crises like high inflation and unemployment, student agitations in Gujarat and Bihar, the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan, and the Allahabad High Court judgment invalidating Indira Gandhi's election.
How did the Emergency affect fundamental rights and the judiciary?
During the Emergency, citizens' fundamental rights were suspended, press censorship was imposed, and the government curtailed judicial powers, leading to controversial Supreme Court judgments like the ADM Jabalpur case.
What was the significance of the 1977 Lok Sabha elections?
The 1977 elections were historic because they resulted in the defeat of the ruling Congress party for the first time at the national level and established the multi-party democratic strength of India.
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