Passage Based Questions: The Crisis of Democratic Order | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“Indian democracy was never so close to a two-party system as it was during the 1977 elections. However, the next few years saw a complete change. Soon after its defeat, the Indian National Congress split into two groups………… The Janata Party also went through major convulsions………… David Butler, Ashok Lahiri and Prannoy Roy.” — Partha Chatterjee

(i) What made the Indian party system resemble a two-party system in 1977?
Ans: The political crisis that emerged during the National Emergency in 1977.

(ii) Despite the existence of more than two parties in 1977, why does the author describe the period as close to a two-party system?
Ans: The author refers to the period as close to a two-party system because the political landscape was dominated by two main groups: the Congress and the non-Congress parties, which were broadly grouped together.

(iii) What led to the splits in both the Congress and the Janata Party?
Ans: The Congress split due to differences over the candidature for the Presidential elections in 1969. The Janata Party split because of leadership conflicts among Chaudhary Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, and Jagjivan Ram.

Passage - 2

Direction: Study the cartoon carefully and answer the questions that follow:

(i) What does this cartoon illustrate?
Ans: The cartoon depicts the situation where democracy and military rule might be considered to run parallel.

(ii) How can democracy be preserved?
Ans: Democracy can be preserved by focusing on people’s fundamental rights, having a strong opposition in both Parliament and state assemblies, and raising awareness about democracy among the people.

(iii) What challenges do democratic governments face?
Ans: Democratic governments currently face challenges such as corruption and inefficiency, the influence of anti-social elements, growing economic and social inequalities, casteism, and communalism.

(iv) Can military rule and democracy coexist? Explain why or why not.
Ans: No, democracy and military rule cannot coexist because military rule imposes restrictions that curtail people’s fundamental rights.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The opposition to Emergency could keep the Janata Party together only for a while. Its critics felt that the Janata Party lacked direction, leadership, and a common programme. The Janata Party Government could not bring about a fundamental change in policies from those pursued by the Congress. The Janata Party split, and the government led by Morarji Desai lost its majority in less than 18 months. Another government headed by Charan Singh was formed on the assurance of the support of the Congress party.

(i) In which year did the Janata Party government come into power?
Ans: 1977

(ii) Analyze any two reasons for the split of the Janata Party.
Ans:  

• The Janata Party split due to leadership conflicts among Chaudhary Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, and Jagjivan Ram.
• It also lacked direction, leadership, and a common programme.

(iii) Why did Charan Singh's government last only about four months?
Ans: Charan Singh's government was formed with the assurance of support from the Congress Party, which later withdrew its support, leading to the resignation of Charan Singh's government within four months.

Passage - 4

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Janata Party made the 1977 elections into a referendum on the Emergency. Its election campaign was focused on the non-democratic character of the Congress rule and on the various excesses that took place during this period. In the backdrop of arrests of thousands of persons and the censorship of the Press, public opinion was against the Congress.

(i) What is meant by a ‘referendum’?
Ans: A referendum is a process where an important issue is referred to the people for a decision or verdict by general vote.

(ii) Do you agree with the statement that the arrests of thousands of persons and the censorship of the Press during the Emergency were non-democratic? Justify your answer with one suitable argument for and against each act.
Ans: 

• (i) Arrests: Nearly one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested under Preventive Detention, but none were tried for anti-national activity. This action was non-democratic as it involved detention without due process.
• (ii) Censorship: Newspapers were not allowed to publish articles without prior government approval. This censorship was non-democratic as it restricted freedom of the press.

(iii) Despite winning the 1977 elections with a substantial majority, why did the Janata Party remain in power only for a short period?
Ans: 

• The Janata Party faced stiff internal competition for the Prime Minister’s position.
• It lacked direction, leadership, and a common programme.
• The party split, reducing it to a minority.