question_answer

Examine the major changes that the country witnessed at the time of fourth general election in 1967.

Or

Why is emergency considered to be one of the most controversial episodes in Indian politics? Analyse any three reasons.

Answer:

Major changes country witnessed at the time of Fourth General Elections:

(i) Two Prime Ministers died in quick succession and the new Prime Minister, who was being seen as a political nobles, had been in office for less than a year.

(ii) The period was fraught with grave economic crises.

(iii) Widespread drought and decline in agricultural production.

(iv) Serious food shortage.

(v) Depletion of foreign exchange reserves.

(vi) Drop in industrial production and exports.

(vii) Combined with sharp rise m military expenditures and diversion of resources from planning and economic development.

Or

Due to the following reasons the emergency became controversial.

(i) The Constitution simply mentioned internal disturbance as the reason for declaring emergency. Before 1975 emergency was never proclaimed on this ground.

(ii) People had the right to politically protest against the government. The Bihar and Gujarat agitation were mostly peaceful and non-violent. Those who were arrested were never tried for any anti-national activity.

(iii) The Home Ministry, which is entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the external situation of the country, also did not express any concern about the law and order situation in the country.