Emergency, Regional Aspirations and Social Movements
The Emergency, Regional Aspirations and Social Movements domain tests how the Constitution handles crisis and how groups press claims within and against the state. Expect questions on 1975-77, regional accords and mass movements.
Core concepts
- The Emergency was proclaimed in June 1975 under Article 352 on grounds of internal disturbance. Civil liberties were suspended, censorship imposed and opposition leaders detained. The 42nd Amendment expanded central power and added socialist, secular and integrity terms to the Preamble.
- The 1977 elections rejected the Emergency. The Shah Commission exposed abuses, and later judicial and constitutional safeguards made reimposition harder.
- Regional aspirations included Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib Resolution and militancy, Assam’s anti-foreigners movement leading to the 1985 Assam Accord, Mizoram’s 1986 accord, and movements in Telangana, Gorkhaland and Nagaland.
- Social movements include farmers’ mobilisations, women’s groups, Dalit and tribal struggles, Chipko, Narmada Bachao Andolan and environmental litigation.
Worked example
Question: Was the Emergency a constitutional or an unconstitutional episode? Reasoning: it was formally proclaimed under the Constitution, but it used legal powers to suspend rights and federal accountability. The answer should distinguish legality from legitimacy; the 44th Amendment later narrowed the grounds and strengthened judicial review.
Traps
Do not say the Emergency began in 1971 or 1977. Do not treat every regional movement as secessionist. Do not claim the 42nd Amendment was fully reversed; some changes survived.