question_answer

Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:

The Janata Party made the 1977 elections into a referendum on the Emergency. Its election campaign was focused on the non-democratic character of the Congress rule and on the various excesses that took place during this period. In the backdrop of arrests of thousands of persons and the censorship of the Press, the public opinion was against the Congress.

(1) What is meant by 'referendum'?

(2) 'Acts like arrests of thousands of persons and the censorship of the Press during the Emergency period were non-democratic.? Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer with one suitable argument for/against each act.

(3) In spite of winning the 1977 elections with a thumping majority, why could the Janata Party remain in power only for a short period? Explain.

 

Answer:

(1) Referendum means the opinion of public after the emergency election announced. Therefore, government that are perceived to be anti-democratic are severely punished by the voters.

(2) Arrests of thousands of persons and censorship of press during the emergency were non-democratic because in democracy every person has freedom to speech. After the declaration of emergency the courts could entertain a writ of Habeas corpus filled by a person challenging his/her detention. In April 1976. The constitution bench of the Supreme Court could over rule the high courts and accept the government?s plea.

(3) In spite of winning the 1977 election with a thumping majority, Janata Party remained in powder only for a short time because:

(a) After the election, there was still competition among three leaders for the post of Prime Minister. Morarji Desai, Jay Prakash Narayan and Jagjiwan Ram.

(b) The Janata party made this election into a referendum on the emergency. Its campaign was focused on the non-democratic character of the rule. The public opinion was against the Congress. Jayaprakash Narayan became the popular symbol of restroration of democracy. Party divided into many parts and as a result the government failed.