The Crisis of Democratic Order

Lesson

Part 1 — how a government with a huge mandate in 1971 came to proclaim an Emergency in 1975.

In this lesson you will

Explain the economic difficulties after 1971 that fed public discontent
Describe the Gujarat and Bihar movements, the role of Jayaprakash Narayan and the railway strike
Explain the conflict between the government and the judiciary
Trace the events of June 1975 that led to the proclamation of the Emergency

Part 1 at a glance

Diagram

The road to June 1975

Concept

The 1971 victory came with the slogan Garibi Hatao; expectations were high.

Table of economic strains after 1971 and their effects: war and refugee costs meant heavy spending; a halt in some aid reduced development funds; the 1973 oil price rise made fuel dearer; weak monsoons made food scarce; slow industry meant fewer jobs
Strain	Effect on people
Cost of the 1971 war and refugees	Heavy public spending
Halt in some foreign aid	Less money for development
World oil prices jump (1973)	Fuel and transport dearer
Weak monsoons	Food scarce and costly
Slow industry	Fewer jobs, more unemployment