In the aftermath of 1967 elections, when Indira Gandhi emerged as a towering leader, what allegation did the Congress make against the judiciary?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → That it was an obstacle in the way of implementing pro-poor welfare programmes.
The Congress alleged that the Court was a conservative institution and was becoming an obstacle in the way of implementing pro-poor welfare programmes; it also held that the Court’s stand went against parliamentary supremacy.
Option (1) That politics was becoming de-personalized. — Incorrect. It was the parties opposed to the Congress who felt that politics was becoming too personalised, the reverse of this.
Option (2) That principles of Presidential supremacy was overlooked by the Courts. — Incorrect. The Congress spoke of parliamentary supremacy, not presidential supremacy.
Option (3) That the Courts were weary of legislative competence — Incorrect. The Congress did not accuse the Courts of being wary of what the legislature could do; its complaint was that the Court was a conservative institution blocking pro-poor programmes.
NCERT (2025-26): “Background to Emergency … We have already studied the changes that were taking place in Indian politics since 1967. Indira Gandhi had emerged as a towering leader with tremendous popularity. This was also the period when party competition became bitter and polarised. This period also witnessed tensions in the relationship between the government and the judiciary. The Supreme Court found many initiatives of the government to be violative of the Constitution. The Congress party took the position that this stand of the Court was against principles of democracy and parliamentary supremacy. The Congress also alleged that the Court was a conservative institution and it was becoming an obstacle in the way of implementing pro-poor welfare programmes. The parties opposed to the Congress felt that politics was becoming too personalised and that governmental authority was being converted into personal authority.…” |