Why was the national emergency declared in India on June 25, 1975? Analyse any three consequences of this emergency.

OR

Evaluate any three factors which were responsible for Indira Gandhi’s achieving a thumping majority in 1971 Lok Sabha elections.

The reasons were:

(i) Internal disturbances and agitations in the country.

(ii) Grave crises had arisen which made the proclamation necessary.

(iii) Political mood of the country had turned hostile.

Consequences:

(i) According to Shah Commission nearly one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested under Preventive detention laws.

(ii) Torture and custodial deaths occurred, arbitrary relocation of poor people and compulsory sterilization.

(iii) Democratic functioning were suspended and draconian measures were adopted.

OR

Three factors which were responsible for Indira Gandhi’s achieving a thumping majority in 1971 Lok Sabha elections are:

(i) She focused on the growth of the public sector and imposed ceiling on rural land holdings and urban property.

(ii) Through ‘Garibi Hatao’ she had generated a support base among the disadvantaged, Dalits, Adivasis and minorities.

(iii) The crisis in East Pakistan and Indo-Pak war leading to the establishment of Bangladesh had shown characteristic features of statesman and strong nationalist leader.