Crisis conscience and the constitution

1979 may go down in history as India's worst year since her emergence as an independent nation in 1947. Many things happened during that year that made it appear as though the country had lost its accustomed poise. On the economic front, especially in the industrial and agricultural sectors, the country's performance was very poor. Poor performance in power, coal and transport further added to the country's woes. The rate of inflation was alarmingly high and had reached the highest point ever since Indepen dence.

Higher educational institutions were in a state of turmoil. Many of them were closed indefinitely. Indiscipline in educational institutions matched the unrest outside. Violence in general and communal clashes were on the increase. Even the police force seemed to be in a state of revolt.

All these events were alarming indeed. But what happened in the political field during three momentous weeks in July 1979 and the 5 months that followed them was shocking. Never before had the country sunk so low in the eyes of the civilised world which had become accustomed to looking upon India as a potential bastion of democracy in the East.

The responsibility for all this rests squarely on the political leadership that wielded power at that time. The incapacity of the leadership to work together, its desire to cling to power, and its utter contempt for political morality, combined to render the sittua tion beyond redemption. In this sordid drama, the President of India played a major role. By his acts of omission and commission, by his speeches and pronouncements, he made a large contribution to the bewilderment of the average citizen.