Which among the following is not a lesson learnt from the Emergency years?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Elections can be postponed according to decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Option (1) It is extremely difficult to do away with democracy in India. A lesson (Incorrect). This was the first lesson of the Emergency.
Option (2) Elections can be postponed according to decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha Not a lesson (Correct). Under the Emergency provisions elections can be postponed by one year; this was a change made during the Emergency, not a lesson drawn from it, and it does not depend on any decision of the Speaker.
Option (3) Emergency made everyone aware of civil liberties. A lesson (Incorrect). This was the third lesson; the courts too became active in protecting civil liberties.
Option (4) Internal Emergency can be proclaimed only on the grounds of ‘armed rebellion’ and it is necessary that the advice to the President to proclaim Emergency must be given in writing by the Union Cabinet. A lesson (Incorrect). This was the second lesson: the ambiguities in the Emergency provision were rectified.
NCERT (2025-26): “Consequences … Among the various changes made by this amendment, one was that the duration of the legislatures in the country was extended from five to six years. This change was not only for the Emergency period, but was intended to be of a permanent nature. Besides this, during an Emergency, elections can be postponed by one year. Thus, effectively, after 1971, elections needed to be held only in 1978; instead of 1976. Lessons of the Emergency … The Emergency at once brought out both the weaknesses and the strengths of India’s democracy. Though there are many observers who think that India ceased to be democratic during the Emergency, it is noteworthy that normal democratic functioning resumed within a short span of time. Thus, one lesson of Emergency is that it is extremely difficult to do away with democracy in India. Secondly, it brought out some ambiguities regarding the Emergency provision in the Constitution that have been rectified since. Now, ‘internal’ Emergency can be proclaimed only on the grounds of ‘armed rebellion’ and it is necessary that the advice to the President to proclaim Emergency must be given in writing by the Union Cabinet. Thirdly, the Emergency made everyone more aware of the value of civil liberties.…” |