Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions :
An emergency is one of the most controversial episodes in Indian politics. One reason is that there are differing viewpoints about the need to declare an emergency. Another reason is that using the powers given by the Constitution, the government practically suspended democratic functioning. As the investigations by the Shah Commission after the Emergency found out, there were many ‘excesses’ committed during the Emergency. Finally, there are varying assessments of what the lessons of Emergency care for the practice of democracy in India.
(i) How far do you agree with the fact that during Emergency, the government practically suspended the democratic functioning also? Give any one example to support your answer.
(ii) Highlight any two lessons of Emergency which may be helpful for the practice of democracy in India.
OR
Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions :
In light of these events, the response of the government was to declare a state of Emergency. On 25th June 1975, the government declared that there was a threat of internal disturbances and therefore, it invoked Article 352 of the Constitution. Under the provision of this In the article, the government could declare a state of Emergency on grounds of external threat or a threat of internal disturbances. The government decided that a grave crisis had arisen which proclaimed a state of Emergency necessary. Technically speaking, this was within the powers of the government, for our Constitution provides for some special powers to the government once an Emergency is declared.
(i) Analyze the grave crisis that compelled the government to impose a state of emergency in the country.
(ii) Identify the two special constitutional powers which the the government gets once Emergency is proclaimed.
