CHAPTER VI

EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
 CONTENTS

Sections/Headings Para Nos. Page Nos.

1. INTRODUCTION 6.1.01—
6.1.08 165-166
2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 6.2.01—
6.2.14 166—168
Rationale and purpose of Articles 355 and 356 6.2.05—
6.2.06 167
Articles 355 and 356 not unprecedented 6.2.07—
6.2.14 167-168
3. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS 6.3.01—
6.3.24 168—171
Article 355—Scope and effect 6.3.02—
6.3.18 168—170
Article 356—Scope and effect 6.3.19—
6.3.24 170-171
4. FAILURE OF CONSTITUTIONAL MACHINERY 6.4.01—
6.4.12 171—173
Political crisis 6.4.02—
6.4.09 171-172
Internal subversion 6.4.10 172-173
Physical break-down 6.4.11 173
Non-compliance with constitutional directions of the Union Government 6.4.12 173
5. ILLUSTRATIONS OF IMPROPER INVOKING OF ARTICLE 356 6.5.01 173-174
6. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 356 6.6.01—
6.6.34 174—177
Wholesale use of Article 356 in 1977 and 1980 for political purpose 6.6.03—
6.6.04 174
Rajasthan and others Vs. Union of India, AIR 1977 SC 1361 6.6.05 174
Preliminary objections of the Union 6.6.06 174-175
On preliminary grounds court held the question non-justiciable 6.6.07—
6.6.10 175
Rajasthan case highlighted inefficacy of constitutional checks 6.6.11—
6.6.29 175—177
Use of Article 356 6.6.30—
6.6..34 177
A—When ministry commanded majority 6.6.30 177
B—Chance not given to form alternative Government 6.6.31 177
C—No caretaker Government formed 6.6.32 177
D—President's rule inevitable 6.6.33—
6.6.34 177
7. SUGGESTIONS BEFORE THE COMMISSION 6.7.01—
6.7.13 177—179
8. RECOMMENDATIONS 6.8.01—
6.8.12 179-180

LIST OF ANNEXURES
Annexure Heading Page Nos.
Nos.
VI.1 Federal supremacy in the U.S.A. 181-182
VI.2 Text of Articles 355, 356 and 357 of the Constitution of India, as originally enacted, 182—184
and modifications made therein by Constitution Amendments Acts
VI.3 President's rule in States under Article 356 of the Constitution of India 184—186
VI.4 Cases of President's rule—categorywise 186—189
 CHAPTER VI
EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
 1. INTRODUCTION
6.1.01— The framers of the Constitution were conscious that, in a country of sub-continental
dimensions, immense diversities, socio-economic disparities and “multitudinous people, with possibly
divided loyalties,"1 security of the nation and stability of its polity could not be taken for granted. The
framers, therefore, recognised that, in a grave emergency, the Union must have adequate powers to deal
quickly and effectively with a threat to the very existence of the nation, on account of external aggression
or internal disruption. They took care to provide that, in a situation of such emergency, the Union shall
have overriding powers to control and direct all aspects of administration and legislation throughout the
country. A violent disturbance, paralysing the administration of a State, could pose a serious danger to the
unity and integrity of the country. Coping with such a situation of violent upheaval and domestic chaos,
may be beyond the capacity or resources of the State.Intervention and aid by the Union will be necessary.
A duty has, therefore, been imposed2 by the Constitution on the Union to protect every State against
external aggression and internal disturbance.
6.1.02 The Constitution-makers were alive to the fact that several regions or areas of the country had no
past experience or deep-rooted tradition of Parliamentary form of Government, and a failure or break-down
of the constitutional machinery in a State could not be ruled out as an impossibility. A further duty was,
therefore, laid3 on the Union to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with
the provisions of the Constitution.
6.1.03 The provisions of Article 352 have been invoked so far, twice, on grounds of ‘external
aggression’, and once, on the plea of ‘internal disturbance’. Article 356 has been brought into action
seventy-five times since the commencement of the Constitution. In the initial years it was used sparingly.
Upto the end of 1967, it had been invoked only twelve times. However, in the next eighteen years, it was
resorted to on as many as sixty-two occasions. The very first occasion of its use (Punjab-1951) for
resolving an internal crisis in the ruling party, contained the seeds for future misapplication. It rose to a
crescendo in 1977 (again in 1980) when, in nine States, President's Rule was imposed at the same time.
6.1.04 The 'Emergency Provisions4 of the Constitution form a fasciculus of nine Articles giving the
President overriding authority to assume and exercise powers to deal with four types of extra-ordinary
situations.
(a) A situation of grave emergency whereby the security of India or any part of its territory is
threatened by war or external aggression or armed rebellion. (Articles 352 and related Articles:
353, Proviso to 83(2), 250, 354, 358 and 359).
(b) A situation involving breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State, i.e., where the
Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution (Articles 356 and 357).
(c) A situation of 'external aggression' and/or 'internal disturbance' which is not grave enough to
satisfy the requirements of either Article 352 or 356, but nevertheless, calls for other action by the
Union pursuant to the first part of Article 355.
(d) A situation where the financial stability or credit of India or any part thereof is threatened enabling
the Union to give suitable directions (Article 360).
6.1.05 'Emergency' under Article 352 was declared for the first time in October, 1962 following the
Chinese aggression. It continued to remain in force during the Indo-Pakistan Conflict (1965) and was
revoked only in January, 1968. 'Emergency' was proclaimed again in December, 1971 in connection with
'external aggression'. While this proclamation was already in force, a fresh proclamation of Emergency on
the ground of 'internal disturbance' was issued in June, 1975. Both these proclamations were revoked in
March, 1977. The propriety of the action under Article 352 on the ground of 'internal disturbance' and the
suspension of the enforcement of certain fundamental rights, by orders under Article 359, were major
issues in the mid-seventies. However, the scope for action under Articles 352, 358 and 359 has been
considerably restricted and hedged in, by incorporating tight safeguards through the Constitution (Forty-
Fourth Amendment) Act, 1978. This Amendment replaced in Article 352 the term 'internal disturbance' by
the expression 'armed rebellion'.
 6.1.06 The Constitution (Thirty-eight Amendment) Act, 1975 and put proclamations under Articles 352
and 356 beyond the ken of judicial review “in any court on any ground”. The Forty-fourth Amendment
revoked this impediment. Article 352 has not been invoked since the Forty-fourth Amendment and,
considering the adequacy of the safeguards provided by it, apprehensions of its possible misuse are no
longer rife. In all the evidence before us, no concern has been expressed about the structure of Article 352
as it now stands. The provisions of Article 360 have not been invoked so far. Its provisions have not been
criticised on any tangible ground. 6.1.07 However, there has been persistent criticism, in ever-mounting
intensity, both in regard to the frequency and the manner of the use of Article 356. The gravemen of the
criticism is that, more often than not, its provisions have been misused, to promote the political interests of
the party in power at the Union. In the context of Union-State relations, therefore, a critical examination of
the scope and use of Article 356 is necessary.
6.1.08 Article 356 was brought into operation as early as 1951. In the initial years, there were not many
instances of its use. But, with passing of years, these provisions have been invoked with increasing
frequency. This is evident from the data given below:
Period Frequency
1950-1954 3
1955-1959 3
1960-1964 2
1965-1969 9 (7 cases in 1967-69)
1970-1974 19
1975-1979 21 (9 cases in 1977)
1980-1987 18 (9 cases in 1980)
These figures reveal a sharp rise in the incidence of such cases from 1967 onwards. The Fourth General
Elections saw the emergence in the country of a multiparty polity, fragmentation of political parties, and
rise of regional parties. There was a sea change in the political scene. Coalition ministries were formed in a
number of States for the first time. Many of them were unstable, being coalitions based on convenience
rather than principle. The General Elections to Lok Sabha, held in March 1977, led to a landslide victory of
the Janata Party which thereupon formed the Union Government. The Union Home Minister wrote to the
Chief Ministers of the nine Congress Party-ruled States that they should seek a fresh mandate. Some of
them approached5 the Supreme Court for a declaration that the Union Home Minister's letter, asking for
dissolution of their Legislative Assemblies, was unconstitutional, illegal and ultra vires, but were not
successful. President's Rule was imposed immediately after the pronouncement of the Court's verdict; and
simultaneously, the Assemblies of these nine States were dissolved. A similar situation arose in 1980 when,
in nine Janata-ruled States, on similar grounds, President's Rule was imposed following the victory of the
Congress (I) Party in the General Elections to Lok Sabha. The propriety of this whole sale use of Article
356, in 1977 and again in 1980, has been widely questioned, the judgement of the Supreme Court
notwithstanding. It is, therefore, apposite to examine the genesis, scope and nature of these emergency
powers conferred on the Union under Articles 355 and 356.
2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
6.2.01— Historically, the proximate origin of these 'emergency' powers can be traced back to the
Government of India Act, 1935. Section 93 of the Act provided that if the Governor of a Province was
satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the Province cannot be carried on in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, he may by proclamation assume to himself all or any of the
powers vested in or exercisable by a Provincial body or authority, including the Ministry and the
Legislature, and to discharge the functions thus assumed in his discretion. The only exception was that he
could not encroach upon the powers of the High Court. Similar powers were conferred on the Governor-
General under Section 45, which was a part of the Federal Scheme. However, this Part never came into
operation.
6.2.02 The Constitution-framers were deeply concerned with the need for ensuring peace and
tranquillity throughout the country. External aggression in Jammu and Kashmir, the emergence of
disruptive forces and wide-spread violent disturbances in the wake of partition, demonstrated to them the
imperative necessity of making special provisions for effectively and swiftly dealing with grave situations
of law and order. The need for conferring special powers on the Union Government was accepted. It was
agreed6 that the President would be given the powers of superseding the State Legislature and Government.
Initially, it was also envisaged that the Governor could issue7 a proclamation that a state of emergency had
arisen in which peace and tranquillity could not be maintained and the Government of the State carried on
in accordance with the Constitution.
6.2.03 An important issue for consideration before the framers was, whether the President and the
Governor, or either of them, should be vested with special responsibilities to be discharged by them in the
exercise of their discretion, for such purposes as maintenance of peace and tranquillity. It was decided8 at a
very early stage of constitution-framing that the President should have no such special powers and that he
would exercise all his functions on the advice of his Council of Ministers. However, the question of vesting
the Governors with discretionary powers remained under prolonged consideration. We have dealt9 with this
in detail in the Chapter on the Governor. It will be sufficient to say here that at a later stage, the Constituent
Assembly decided10 that the Governor should not be an elected, but be a nominated functionary.
Consequent upon this decision, the Constituent Assembly, departing from the provisions of the
Government of India Act, 1935, limited the Governor's powers to merely furnishing a report to the
President of the circumstances showing that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State
cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
6.2.04 Thus, finally, the Constituent Assembly decided11 that the responsibility of intervention in the
administration of a State, when it was faced with a threatened or actual break-down of the Constitutional
arrangements, would be exclusively that of the President, in effect, of the Union Government, and the
Governor would have no authority in such a situation to assume, in his discretion, the powers of the State
Government even for a short period. The provisions so finalised, it was considered, would be broadly in
accord with the basic principle of Parliamentary democracy, the Union Government being accountable for
all its actions to Parliament.
Rationale and Purpose of Articles 355 and 356
6.2.05 The underlying principle and purpose of introducing Article 355 was explained by the Chairman
of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly. It was stressed12 that our Constitution,
notwithstanding that many of its provisions bestow overriding powers on the Centre, nonetheless gives, on
the federal principle, plenary authority to the Provinces to make laws and administer the same in the field
assigned to them. That being so, if the Centre is to interfere in the administration of provincial affairs, it
must be, by and under some obligation which the Constitution imposes upon the Centre. It was emphasised
that the 'invasion' by the Centre of the Provincial field “must not be an invasion which is wanton, arbitrary
and unauthorised by law”.
6.2.06 The introduction of a provision casting a duty on the Union to protect the States against 'external
aggression' and 'internal disturbance' and 'to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution' was therefore, considered essential to prevent such an
unprincipled invasion.
Articles 355 and 356 not unprecedented
6.2.07 In reply to the criticism that such provisions were not found in any other Constitution, it was
pointed out13 in the Constituent Assembly that they were based on the principle underlying Article IV,
Section 4 of the United States Constitution, which provides:
“The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and
shall protect each of them against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Executive
(when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence”.
The first part of this provision is known as the Guarantee Clause and the second part the Protection
Clause.14 It was explained in the Constituent Assembly that, in principle, the Guarantee Clause conforms to
the latter part of the Draft Article 277A (now Article 355) of our Constitution which is designed to
maintain in every State the form of responsible Government as contemplated by the Constitution. The
Protection Clause of Article IV(4) corresponds to the first part of Article 355, with this difference that,
instead of the expressions “invasion” and “domestic violence”, the framers of our Constitution preferred to
use the terms “external aggression”, and “internal disturbance”, respectively, which are of relatively wider
amplitude.
 6.2.08 To understand the full significance of the duty imposed on the Union by the Article referred to
above to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the Constitution, it will
be useful to examine in some depth the Guarantee Clause in Article IV(4) of the United States Constitution.
6.2.09 A vast potential is rooted in the sweeping and unqualified language of the Guarantee Clause.
Indeed, in the course of American history, it has assumed protean forms. President Lincoln in 1861 sought
in this clause an authorisation for extraordinary national authority to put down rebellion, to strike down
slavery, to assume certain basic civil and potential rights for freed 'blacks' and to effectuate programmes to
deal with problems during the Reconstruction (1861-1877).
6.2.10 The guarantee is considered as “a tremendous store-house of power to reshape the American
federal system”. An American author15 who has made an exhaustive survey of the past uses of the
Guarantee Clause, sums up his views about the nature, the potential uses and dangers of this power, as
follow:
“This Clause is, in Sumner's simile, a giant, and should be watched carefully, since its tremendous
power can be dangerous as well as protective to republican liberty...... The Guarantee is prophylactic;
the federal government is to ‘protect as well as restors’ republican government in the States. It imposes
affirmative obligations on both nation and states; it 'still exists as an independent and untapped source of
federal power, by which the Central Government can assume the fuller realisation of our society's
democratic goals'......... The characteristics of republicanism must be dictated by contemporary values.
Those values will not only include the present spirit of the national government, but also the current
expectations of the American peoples, such as access to the ballot and equal access for all to housing,
employment, education, transportation and numerous other things, when sufficiently touched with a
public interest”.
6.2.11 Article IV(4) of the American Constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the guarantee
as to the republican form of government may be enforced against a State. It has no provision analogous to
Articles 356 and 357, authorising the Union Government or the President to suspend or supersede the
Constitutional machinery in a State.
6.2.12 The Constitution-framers recognised that the provisions of Articles 355 and 356 were necessary
to meet an exceptional situation where break-down of the Constitutional machinery occurs in a State. At the
same time, they hoped for the growth of healthy conventions which would help ensure that these
extraordinary powers were used most sparingly, in extreme cases, for the legitimate purposes for which
they were intended. An important point made16 during debates in the Assembly, was, that mere mal-
administration by a duly constituted Government in a State, was not a good ground for invoking Article
356. It was emphasised that, if responsible government in a State is to be maintained, the electors must be
made to feel that the power to apply the proper remedy, when misgovernment occurs, rests with them. It
was felt that, in many cases of political break-down, the proper course would be to dissolve the Legislative
Assembly and go back to the people to seek through a fresh election, the right answers.
6.2.13 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, explained the purpose and nature of
these provisions. Emphasising the need for caution and restraint in their application, he observed:—
“I do not altogether deny that there is a possibility of these articles being abused or employed for
political purposes. But that objection applies to every part of the Constitution which gives power to the
Centre to override the Provinces. In fact I share the sentiments......that such articles will never be called
into operation and that they would remain a dead letter. If at all they are brought into operation, I hope
the President, who is endowed with these powers, will take proper precautions before actually
suspending the administration of the provinces. I hope the first thing he will do would be to issue a mere
warning to a province that has erred, that things were not happening in the way in which they were
intended to happen in the Constitution. If that warning fails, the second thing for him to do will be to
order an election allowing the people of the province to settle matters by themselves. It is only when
these two remedies fail that he would resort to this article17”.
6.2.14 In sum, the Constitution-framers conceived these provisions as more than a mere grant of over-
riding powers to the Union over the States. They regarded them as a bulwark of the Constitution, an
ultimate assurance of maintaining or restoring representative government in States responsible to the
people. They expected that these extraordinary provisions would be called into operation rarely, in extreme
cases, as a last resort when all alternative correctives fail. Despite the hopes and expectations so
emphatically expressed by the framers, in the last 37 years, Article 356 has been brought into action not
less than 75 times.

3. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
6.3.01— The full text of Articles 355, 356 and 357 has been set out in Annexure V I.2.
Article 355—Scope and effect
6.3.02 The obligations of the Union under Article 355 arise with respect to three situations existing in a
State, namely:—
(i) external aggression,
(ii) internal disturbance, and
(iii) where the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
The framers of the Constitution have used the word “and” to cannect all the three segments of the
Article specifying these situations. The word “and”, as explained18 by the Chairman of the Drafting
Committee in the Constituent Assembly, can be interpreted both conjunctively and disjunctively, as the
occasion may require. This implies that, on some occasions, these situations may arise severally, while, on
others, in combination with one another. It is not possible to define precisely the expression 'external
aggression'. This expression has also been used in Article 352 in the context of 'grave emergency'. Hence it
is necessary to distinguish the contextual connotation and scope of this expression in Article 352 from its
use in Article 355. 'External aggression' is a valid ground for action under Article 352(1), only if, in a grave
emergency, it threatens the security of India or any part thereof. If the 'external aggression' is not of a
gravity calling for action under Article 352 or does not involve a situation of failure of the Constitution,
then the Union will be competent to take all appropriate steps, other than action under Articles 352 and
356, that it may consider necessary in fulfilment of its duty under Article 355.
6.3.03 The Forty-fourth Constitutional Amendment substituted “armed rebellion” for “internal
disturbance” in Article 352. “Internal disturbance” is, therefore, no longer a ground for taking action under
that Article. Further, it cannot, by itself, be a ground for imposing President's rule under Article 356(1), if it
is not intertwined with a situation where the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with
the provisions of the Constitution.
6.3.04 It is difficult to define precisely the concept of 'internal disturbance'. Similar provisions, however,
occur in the Constitutions of other countries. Article 16 of the Federal Constitution of Switzerland uses the
expression “internal disorder”. The Constitutions of the United States of America and Australia use19 the
expression 'domestic violence'. The framers of the Indian Constitution have, in place of this term, used the
expression 'internal disturbance'. Obviously, they have done so as they intended to cover not only domestic
violence, but something more. The scope of the term 'internal disturbance' is wider than 'domestic violence'.
It conveys the sense of 'domestic chaos', which takes the colour of a security threat from its associate
expression, 'external aggression'. Such a chaos could be due to various causes. Large-scale public disorder
which throws out of gear the even tempo of administration and endangers the security of the State, is
ordinarily, one such cause. Such an internal disturbance is normally man-made. But it can be Nature-made,
also. Natural calamities of unprecedented magnitude, such as flood, cyclone, earth-quake, epidemic, etc.
may paralyse the government of the State and put its security in jeopardy.
6.3.05 Deployment of the Union armed forces for quelling public disorder, or internal disturbance, or for
protecting Central Government property or installations, has generated controversy between some States
and the Union. One State Government is of the view that Article 355 does not in any way add to the powers
of the Union and may well be omitted, as the President may legitimately take over the administration of a
State under Article 356, if, for some reason, the State Government does not make a request or does not give
its concurrence to deployment of para-military forces of the Union in aid of civil power. In their view, such
an action would clear the way for deployment of Union's forces at the request of or with the concurrence of
the Governor's administration. In this context, several questions arise for consideration. Is Article 355
necessary and, if so, what is its scope? Does it—apart from imposing a duty—confer a power on the Union
Executive to deploy, suo motu its forces, armed or unarmed, to suppress an internal disturbance, in a
situation not amounting to break-down of the constitutional machinery in the State? If so, what are the
parameters of that power? What is the inter-relationship of Article 355, Entries 2 and 2A of the Union List,
Entries 1 and 2 of the State List and Entries 1 and 2 of the Concurrent List?
6.3.06 Before we attempt to answer these questions, it is necessary to take note of the powers of the
Federal Govern-ment to deal with public disorders, under the Constitutions of the older Federations, viz.
Australia, Switzerland and the United States of America and under the more recent Constitution of West
Germany. In Australia, Section 119 of the Constitution provides that “the Commonwealth shall protect
every State against invasion and on the application of the Executive Government of the State, against
domestic violence”. The implications of the second part of this Section are as follows. In so far as the State
Governments, through their police forces, are primarily responsible for law and order, Commonwealth
military or police action can only be taken on matters affecting the “peace, order and good Government” of
a State at the request of the State Government. However, where the violence is directed against
Commonwealth institutions or affects matters falling within Commonwealth power, then the
Commonwealth can intervene without a request from the State in which the violence occurs or is
imminent20.
6.3.07 Article 16 of the Constitution of Switzerland (1874) gives unlimited powers to the Federal
Council to intervene, on its own initiative, in case of internal disorder where the Government of the
threatened Canton is not in a position to summon assistance from the other Cantonal Governments, or if the
disorder endangers the safety of Switzerland. The expression “internal disorder” covers not only armed
rebellion but also disturbances resulting from, for instance, general strike.
6.3.08 In the Chapter on 'Administrative Relations', we have discussed the power of the Federal
Government in the United States of America to employ force if necessary to secure enforcement of Federal
laws and of Supreme Court decisions and protection of Federal property. As pointed out there, the United
States Supreme Court affirmed in the case of Re Eugene Debs (158 US 564), that “the entire strength of the
nation may be used to enforce in any part of the land, the full and free exercise of all national powers and
security of all rights entrusted by the Constitution to its care”. After this judgement, the requirement of an
application from the affected State for aid under the Protection Clause in Article IV(4), vide para 6.2.07
above, for suppression of domestic violence in the State, has, in practice, lost its importance. The result is
that “to-day we have to go further and recognise that the line, which Article IV impliedly draws between
the “general peace” and the “domestic peace” of the individual States has become an extremely tenuous
one”21.
6.3.09 In West Germany, in order to avert an imminent danger to the existence or to the very democratic
basic order of the Federation or a State, the State Government may ask for the assistance of police forces of
other States or of the Federal Border Guard. However, if the State Government is either not willing or not
able to combat the danger, the Federal Government may take under its control the police of that State and
the police forces of other States also and, in addition, deploy units of the Federal Border Guard. If the
danger extends to more than one State, the Federal Government may, to combat the danger, issue
instructions to the State Governments (Article 91 of the West German Constitution).
6.3.10 We have discussed in Chapter II : “Legislative Relations”, the main aspects of the question posed
in para 6.3.05' above. To recapitulates, Article 355 not only imposes a duty on the Union but also grants it,
by necessary implication, the power of doing all such acts and employing such means as are essentially and
reasonably necessary for the effective performance of that duty. However, it may be noted that the
Constitution does not, under Article 355, permit suspension of fundamental rights or change in the scheme
of distribution of mutually exclusive powers with respect to matters in List I and List II. Except to the
extent of the use of the forces of the Union in a situation of violent upheaval or disturbance in a State, the
other constitutional provisions governing Union-State relationships continue as before. Unless a National
Emergency is proclaimed under Article 352 or powers of the State Government are suspended under
Article 356, the Union Government cannot assume sole responsibility for quelling such an internal
disturbance in a State to the exclusion of the State authorities charged with the maintenance of public order.
6.3.11 Where, in a situation of internal disturbance in a State, action under Article 356(1) is considered
unnecessary or inexpedient, the Union Government has the power to deploy its forces, suo motu, under its
control, to put it down and restore peace. Exclusive control of the Union over its armed forces and their
deployment in aid of the civil power in a State, even before the insertion of Entry 2A in List I by the Forty-
second Amendment, was relatable to Entry 2 of List I read with Article 73. Maintenance of public order, by
the use of the armed forces of the Union, has always been outside the purview of Entry I of List II.
6.3.12. The phrase “in aid of the civil power” in Entry 2A of List I is of wide import. In the context of
public disorder or violent internal disturbances, these words mean “in aid of the instrumentalities of the
State charged with the maintenance of public order'. In such a case, the Union may use its armed forces to
help the law-enforcing authorities of the State. These words do not necessarily imply that the Union can
deploy its forces only at the request of the State. It may happen that a State is unwilling or unable to
suppress a serious break-down of law and order or refuses to seek the aid of the armed forces of the Union.
In such a situation, fast drifting towards anarchy or physical break-down of the State administration, the
Union may, of its own motion, deploy its forces under its control and take whatever other steps are
considered reasonably necessary for suppressing the disturbance in discharge of its duty under Article 355.
This will also be consistent with its power under Entries 2 and 2A of the Union List read with Article 73.
6.3.13 It is important to distinguish 'internal disturbance' from ordinary problems relating to law and
order. Maintenance of public order, excepting where it requires the use of the armed forces of the Union, is
a responsibility of the States (Entry 1, List II). That being the case, 'internal disturbance' within the
contemplation of Article 355 cannot be equated with mere breaches of public peace. In terms of gravity and
magnitude, it is intended to connote a far more serious situation. The difference between a situation of
public disorder and 'internal disturbance' is not only one of degree but also of kind. While the latter is an
aggravated form of public disorder which endangers the security of the State, the former involves relatively
minor breaches of the peace of purely local significance. When does a situation of public disorder
aggravate into an “internal disturbance' justifying Union intervention, is a matter that has been left by the
Constitution to the judgement and good sense of the Union Government.
6.3.14 Under Article 355, a whole range of action on the part of the Union is possible depending on the
circumstances of the case, the nature, the timing and the gravity of the internal disturbance. In some case,
advisory assistance by the Union to the State for the most appropriate deployment of its resources may
suffice. In more serious situations, augmentation of the State's own efforts by rendering Union assistance in
men, material and finance may be necessary. If it is a violent upheaval or a situation of external aggression
(not amounting to a grave emergency under Article 352), deployment of the Union forces in aid of the
police and magistracy of the State may be sufficient to deal with the problem.
6.3.15 Normally, a State would actively seek assistance of the Union to meet such a crisis. However, as
already noted above, the scope of Article 355 is wide enough to enable the Union to render all assistance
including deployment of its armed forces, notwithstanding the fact that the State Government has made
specific request. The Union will be entitled to do its own motion, in discharge of its paramount liability
under Article 355. Action to be taken may include measures to prevent recurring crisis.
6.3.16 This, in short, in the legal position. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that what is legally
permissible may not be politically proper. Situations of internal disturbance can effec-tively be tackled only
through concerted and coordinated action of the Union Forces and the State instrumentalities concerned. In
practice, before deploying its Forces in a State, the Union should sound the State Government and seek its
cooperation. We have dealt with these aspects in detail in Chapter VII.
6.3.17 We are of the view that, when an 'external aggression' or 'internal disturbance' paralyses the State
administration creating a situation drifting towards a potential break-down of the constitutional machinery
of the State, all alternative courses available to the Union for discharging its paramount responsibility under
Article 355 should be exhausted to contain the situation.
6.3.18 The third limb of Article 355 casts a duty on the Union to ensure that the Government of the State
is carried on in accordance with the Constitution. The remedy for break-down of constitutional machinery
has been provided in Article 356. Out Constitution provides a constitution both for the Union and for the
States and demarcates their powers and responsibilities, executive and legislative. An important federal
principle underlying this scheme is the right of every State to function undisturbed within its demarcated
sphere in accordance with the Constitution. At the same time, States are also under a liability not to carry
on the Government in a manner which will bring about a failure of the Constitutional machinery22.
Article 356—Scope and Effect
 6.3.19 Article 356 provides for a Proclamation by the President if he is satisfied that a situation has
arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution. This satisfaction of the President is a condition precedent to the exercise of this power. Such a
Proclamation may declare that the powers of the State Legislature shall be exercisable by or under the
authority of Parliament. By virtue of Article 357, Parliament may confer that legislative power on the
President and authorise him to further delegate it to any other authority. By the Proclamation, the President
may assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State and all or any of the
powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or any body or authority in the State other than the
Legislature of the State. In the result, the executive power of the State which is normally exercisable by the
Governor with the aid and advice of his Council of Ministers, becomes exercisable by the Union
Government, and the legislative power of the State by or under the authority of Parliament. The
Proclamation may make consequential provisions including suspension of the operation of Constitutional
provisions relating to any body or authority of the State. The administration of the State, for all practical
purposes, is taken over by the Union Government.
6.3.20 Clause (3) of the Article requires the Proclamation to be laid before each House of Parliament,
and unless approved by them, it ceases to operate at the expiration of two months. If the Proclamation is
approved by resolutions of both the Houses, it will remain operative for a period of six months from the
date of its issue. This period can be extended for another six months if it is further approved by both the
Houses. But, no such approval may be given continuing the operation of a Proclamation beyond one year
from the date of its issue, except as provided in clause (5) of the Article. If, however, both the conditions
laid down in clause (5) of the Article are satisfied, the Proclamation can be continued for a further period
not exceeding three years in all. These conditions are : (i) a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation in
the State, and
(ii) the Election Commission has certified that the continuance in force of the Proclamation is necessary on
account of difficulties in holding general elections.
6.3.21 There is, however, no provision in Article 356 similar to that in clauses (7) and (8) of Article 352,
which enables the House of the People to disapprove by resolution the con-tinuance in force of such a
Proclamation.
6.3.22 Imposition of President's Rule thus brings to an end, for the time being, a government in the State
responsible to the State Legislature. Indeed, this is a very drastic power. Exercised correctly, it may operate
as a safety mechanism for the system. Abused or misused, it can destroy the con-stitutional equilibrium
between the Union and the States.
6.3.23 In Article 356, the expression, “the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance
with the provisions of the Constitution”, is couched in wide terms. It is, therefore, necessary to understand
its true import and ambit. In the day-to-day administration of the State, its
various functionaries in the discharge of their multiparious responsibilities take decisions or actions which
may not, in some particular or the other, be strictly in accord with all the provisions of the Constitution.
Should every such breach or infraction of a constitutional provision, irrespective of its significance, extent
and effect, be taken to constitute a “failure of the constitutional machinery” within the contemplation of
Article 356. In our opinion, the answer to the question must be in the negative. We have already noted that
by virtue of Article 355 it is the duty of the Union to ensure that the Government of every State is carried
on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Article 356, on the other hand, provides the
remedy when there has been an actual break-down of the constitutional machinery of the State. Any abuse
or misuse of this drastic power damages the fabric of the Constitution whereas the object of this Article is
to enable the Union to take remedial action consequent upon break-down of the constitutional machinery,
so that that governance of the State in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, is restored. A
wide literal construction of Article 356 (1), will reduce the constitutional distribution of the powers
between the Union and the States to a licence dependent on the pleasure of the Union Executive23. Further,
it will enable the Union Executive to cut at the root of the democratic Parliamentary form of government in
the State24. It must, therefore, be rejected in favour of a construction which will preserve that form of
government. Hence, the exercise of the power under Article 356 must be limited to rectifying a 'failure of
the constitutional machinery in the State'. The marginal heading of Article 356 also points to the same
construction.
6.3.24 Another point for consideration is, whether 'external aggression' or 'internal disturbance' is to be
read as an indispensable element of the situation of failure of the constitutional machinery in a State, the
existence of which is a pre-requisite for the exercise of the power under Article 356.
We are clear in our mind that the answer to this question should be in the negative. On the one hand,
'external aggression' or 'internal disturbance' may not necessarily create a situation where government of
the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. On the other, a failure of the
constitutional machinery in the State may occur, without there being a situation of 'external aggression' or
'internal disturbance'.
4. FAILURE OF CONSTITUTIONAL MACHINERY
6.4.01— A failure of constitutional machinery may occur in a number of ways. Factors which contribute
to such a situation are diverse and imponderable. It is, therefore, difficult to give an exhaustive catalogue of
all situations which would fall within the sweep of the phase, “the government of the State cannot be
carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”. Even so, some instances of what does
and what does not constitute a constitutional failure within the contemplation of this Article, may be
grouped and discussed under the following hands:
(a) Political crisis.
(b) Internal subversion.
(c) Physical break-down.
(d) Non-compliance with constitutional directions of the Union Executive.
It is not claimed that this categorisation is comprehensive or perfect. There can be no water-tight
compartmentalisation, as many situations of constitutional failure will have elements of more than one
type. Nonetheless, it will help determine whether or not, in a given situation it will be proper to invoke this
last-resort power under Article 356.
Political Crisis
6.4.02 A constitutional break-down may be the outcome of the political crisis or dead-lock. This may
occur where—
(i) after a General Election no party or coalition of parties or groups is able
to secure an absolute majority in the Legislative Assembly, and, despite
exploration of all possible alternatives by the Governor, a situation
emerges in which there is complete demonstrated inability to form a
government commanding confidence of the Legislative Assembly;
(ii)a Ministry resigns or is dismissed on loss of its majority support in the Assembly and no alternative
government commending the confidence of the Assembly can be formed;
(iii) the party having a majority in the Assembly refuses to form or continue the Ministry and all
possible alternatives explored by the Governor to find a coalition Ministry commending a
majority in the Assembly, have failed.
6.4.03 In all the above situations, one or more alternatives may be available to the Governor before he
recommends Proclamation of President's rule under Article 356. He may dissolve the Assembly so that
fresh elections may be held, thereby leaving the political deadlock to be resolved by the electorate. In the
situation described at (ii) of para 6.4.02 above, the Governor may, in addition, continue the outgoing
Ministry for a short period as a caretaker government until elections are held and a new Ministry takes
over. But the legality of these alternative courses is one thing and their propriety or feasibility another.
6.4.04 Normally, the power of dissolution of the Assembly is to be exercised by the Governor on the
advice of his Ministry. But such advice ceases to be binding on him as soon as the Ministry loses majority
support and the requirement of Article 164(2) that the Ministry shall be collectively responsible to the
Legislative Assembly is no longer fulfilled. Some State Governments have suggested that, even when
President's rule is proclaimed on account of a political crisis, fresh elections should invariably be held as
early as possible, say, within 3 to 6 months. The question whether the Assembly should be dissolved has to
be examined from a number of angles.
6.4.05 If the Assembly has continued for more than, say, half its normal duration, dissolution may be a
preferred course of action. The political views of the electorate and their support to the different political
parties in the State may have got substantially transformed since the elections were last held. There may be
strong reasons to presume that the relative strength of the political parties in the Assembly will very likely
undergo a radical alteration if fresh elections are held. Circumstances such as these will clearly indicate that
fresh elections should not be postponed.
6.4.06 In any situation other than those described in the preceding paragraph, the question whether fresh
elections should be held, will have to be decided by the Governor after carefully weighing all relevant
considerations. Frequent elections disturb the continuity of administration and put a brake on the pace of
development activities. They also stir up emotions of the people and tend to distract their attention for
prolonged periods from their normal business. Also, holding of elections at short intervals is a luxury which
the nation's exchequer can ill-afford. At the same time, the People of a State should not be denied the
earliest opportunity to elect an Assembly and Government of their choice.
6.4.07 In deciding the question of having fresh elections, the Governor should consult the leaders of the
political parties involved and the Chief Election Commissioner. The Governor should also consider
whether, in the law and order situation obtaining in the State, free and fair elections can be held, without
avoidable delay.
6.4.08 We recommend that, in a situation of potential political break-down, the Governor should explore
all possibilities of having a government enjoying majority support in the Assembly. If it is not possible for
such a government to be installed and if fresh elections can be held without avoidable delay, he should ask
the outgoing Ministry, if there is one, to continue as a caretaker government, provided the Ministry was
defeated solely on a major policy issue, unconnected with any allegations of maladministration or
corruption and is agreeable to continue. The continuance, in these circumstances, of the out-going Ministry
as a caretaker government would be unexceptionable and indeed proper. The Governor should then
dissolve the Legislative Assembly, leaving the resolution of the constitutional crisis to the electorate.
During the interim period, the caretaker government should be allowed to function. As a matter of
convention, the caretaker government should merely carry on the day-to-day government and desist from
taking any major policy decision.
6.4.09 If the important ingredients described above are absent, it would not proper for the Governor to
dissolve the Assembly and install a caretaker government. The Governor should recommend proclamation
of President's rule without dissolving the Assembly.
Internal Subversion
6.4.10 As a corollary of Article 355, it follows that correlated to the duty of the Union to preserve the
democratic Parliamentary' form of government in the States contemplated by the Constitution, the States
are also under a liability not to carry on the government in a manner contrary to or subversive of the
provisions of the Constitution. In the light of these principles, the following are some instances of a
situation of constitutional break-down due to internal subversion :
(i) Where the government of a State, although carried on by a Ministry enjoying majority support in
the Assembly, has been deliberately conducted for period of time in disregard of the Constitution
and the law;
(ii) Where the Government of the State deliberately creates a dead-lock, or pursues a policy to bring
the system of responsible government envisaged by the Constitution, to a stand till;
(iii) Where the State Government, although ostensibly acting within the constitutional forms,
designedly flouts principles and conventions of responsible Government to substitute for them
some form of dictatorship;
And in each of the situations (i), (ii) and (iii) the alternative steps, including other correctives and
warnings, fail to remedy the distortion or bring back the errant State Government to the
Constitutional path;
(iv)Where a Ministry, although properly constituted, violates the provisions of the Constitution or seeks to
use its constitutional powers for purposes not authorised by the Constitution and other correctives
and warnings fail;
(v) Where the State Government is fomenting a violent revolution or revolt with or without the
connivance of a foreign power.
Physical break-down
6.4.11 The following are some instances of physical break-down:
(i) Where a Ministry, although properly constituted, either refuses to discharge its responsibilities to
deal with a situation of 'internal disturbance', or is unable to deal with such a situation which
paralyses the administration, and endangers the security of the State.
(ii) Where a natural calamity such as an earthquake, cyclone, epidemic, flood, etc. of unprecedented
magnitude and severity, completely paralyses the administration and endangers the security of
the State and the State Government is unwilling or unable to exercise its governmental power to
relieve it.
Non-compliance with constitutional Directions of
the Union Government
6.4.12 The following are illustrations of a breakdown due to non-compliance by a State Government
with the directions of the Union Government:—
(i) Where a direction issued by the Union in the exercise of its executive power under any provision
of the Constitution, such as, Articles 256, 257 and 339(2) or, during an Emergency under Article
353, is not complied with by the State Government inspite of adequate warning and opportunity,
and the President thereupon holds under Article 365 that a situation, such as that contemplated in
Article 356, has arisen;
(ii) If public disorder of any magnitude endangering the security of the State, takes place, it is the
duty of the State Government to keep the Union Government informed of such disorder, and if
the State fails to do so, such failure may amount to impeding the exercise of the executive power
of the Union Government and justify the latter giving appropriate directions under Article 257(1).
If such a direction given to the State by the Union Executive under Article 257(1) is not complied
with inspite of adequate warning, the President thereupon may hold that a situation such as
contemplated in Article 356, has arisen.
5. ILLUSTRATIONS OF IMPROPER INVOKING OF ARTICLE 356
6.5.01— In the preceding paragraphs we have noticed some instances of situations involving failure of
the constitutional machinery where the power under Article 356 could be properly invoked. Some examples
are given below of situations in which it may be improper, if not illegal, to invoke the provisions of Article
356:
(i) A situation of maladministration in a State where a duly constituted Ministry enjoying majority
support in the Assembly, is in office. Imposition of President's rule in such a situation will be
extraneous to the purpose for which the power under Article 356 has been conferred. It was made
indubitably clear by the Constitution-framers that this power is not meant to be exercised for the
purpose of securing good government.
(ii) Where a Ministry resigns or is dismissed on losing its majority support in the Assembly and the
Governor recommends, imposition of President's rule without exploring the possibility of
installing an alternative government enjoying such support or ordering fresh elections.
(iii) Where, despite the advice of a duly constituted Ministry which has not been defeated on the floor
of the House, the Governor declines to dissolve the Assembly and without giving the Ministry an
opportunity to demonstrate its majority support through the 'floor test', recommends its
supersession and imposition of President's rule merely on his subjective assessment that the
Ministry no longer commands the confidence of the Assembly.
 (iv) Where Article 356 is sought to be invoked for superseding the duly constituted Ministry and
dissolving the State Legislative Assembly on the sole ground that, in the General Elections to the
Lok Sabha, the ruling party in the State, has suffered a massive defeat.
(v) Where in a situation of 'internal disturbance', not amounting to or verging on abdication of its
governmental powers by the State Government, all possible measures to contain the situation by
the Union in the discharge of its duly, under Article 355, have not been exhausted.
(vi) The use of the power under Article 356 will be improper if, in the illustrations given in the
preceding paragraphs 6.4.10, 6.4.11 and 6.4.12, the President gives no prior warning or
opportunity to the State Government to correct itself. Such a warning can be dispensed with only
in cases of extreme urgency where failure on the part of the Union to take immediate action,
Article 356, will lead to disastrous consequences.
(vii) Where in response to the prior warning or notice or to an informal or formal direction under
Articles 256, 257, etc. the State Government either applies the corrective and thus complies with
the direction, or satisfies the Union Executive that the warning or direction was based on
incorrect facts, it shall not be proper for the President to hold that “a situation has arisen in which
the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provi-sions of the
Constitution”. Hence, in such a situation, also Article 356 cannot be properly invoked.
(viii) The use of this power to sort out internal differences or intra-party problems of the ruling party
would not be constitutionally correct.
(ix) This power cannot be legitimately exercised on the sole ground of stringent financial exigencies
of the State.
(x) This power cannot be invoked, merely on the ground that there are serious allegations of
corruption against the Ministry.
(xi) The exercise of this power, for a purpose extraneous or irrelevant to the one for which it has been
conferred by the Constitution, would be vitiated by legal mala fides.
6. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 356
6.6.01— The main point of the criticism in regard to the use of Article 356 is that, more often than not,
it has been interpreted and applied differently in similar situations to suit the political interests of the party
in power in the Union. It has been alleged that, motivated by such extraneous consideration.—
(i) Opposition parties or group had not been given a chance to form alternate government.
(ii) Legislative Assemblies were dissolved or kept in a state of suspended animation.
(iii) President's rule was used for partisan purposes like buying time to realign party strengths of
sorting out intra-party differences or for resolving leadership crisis, etc.
(iv) President's rule was used to dislodge State Govern-ments run by parties or coalitions other than
the party in power at the Union, on plea of corruption, political instability, maladministration,
unhappy state of law and order, etc. even though they commended the confidence of their
respective Assemblies.
6.6.02 Thus, the principal issue that calls for consideration is, how far there is substance in this
criticism? For this purpose, basic information relevant to the numerous cases of imposition of president's
rule use collected from various sources. Efforts were also made as far as possible to get the factual
information, thus collected, verified from the original sources. Annexure VI, 3 gives a chronological list of
all the instances wherein proclamations under Article 356 were made. Annexure VI, 4 contains the gist of
circumstances of the situation of each case in which this provision was invoked. Factual information
relating to these cases was studied and analysed in the light of the criteria indicated in the forgoing
paragraphs 6.4.02 to 6.4.01—2. A synopsis of the study thus made, is given in the following paragraphs.
Wholesale use of article 356 in 1977 and 1980 for
political purpose
6.6.03 The cases which are considered under this marginal sub-head are : instances furnished by the
proclamation of President's rule by Janta Government on April, 1977, in nine States and simultaneous
dissolution of their Assemblies, and the repetition of the same in nine States in similar grounds by the
Congress (I) Government in 1980. The facts of the first group of cases were as follows.
6.6.04 In the 1977 Elections to the Lok Sabha, the ruling Congress (I) lost its majority in nine states,
namely, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh
and Rajasthan, securing only 153 seats as against 350 in the 1971 Elections. On March 24,1977, the Janta
Party which had obtained an overwhelming majority of seats in the Elections formed the new Government
in the Union. On that date, Congress (I) Governments were func-tioning in these nine States enjoying
majority support in their respective Assemblies. The Union Home Minister on April 18, 1977 addressed a
letter25 to the Chief Ministers of these States stating that “the most unprecedented political situation arising
out of the virtual rejection, in the recent Lok Sabha elections, of candidate's belonging to the ruling party in
various States”, with “the resultant climate of uncertainty........causing grave concern to use”, “has already
given rise to serious threats to law and order”. On these premises, he “earnestly commended” for their
consideration that they may advise the Governors of their respective States “to dissolve the State
Assemblies in exercise of powers under Article 174(2)(b) and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate”.
Thereafter, on April 22, 1977, in an interview,26 reported in the Press, the Union Minister of Law said that
“a clear case has been made out for the dissolution of the Assemblies in nine Congress ruled States and
holding of fresh elections” since a “serious doubt has been cast on their enjoying the people's confidence,
their party having been rejected in the recent Lok Sabha elections”.
Rajasthan and others Vs Union of India, AIR 1977 SC 1361
6.6.05 Six of these States filed suits27 under Article 131 of the Constitution in the Supreme Count
praying for a declaration that the letter of the Home Minister was illegal, and ultra vires of the Constitution and prayed for an
interim injunction restraining the Union Government from resorting to Article 356, and for a permanent injuction restraining the
Union Government from taking any step to dissolve their Assemblies before the expiry of their term fixed by the Constitution.
Three Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Punjab also field a Writ Petition in the Supreme Court
impugning the same matter and praying substantially for the same relief.
Preliminary objections of the Union
6.6.06 The Union raised three preliminary objections :
(a) That the suit was not maintainable under Article 131:
(b) that the questions which arise for gauging the existence of a situation calling for action under
Article 356 are, by their very nature, non-justiciable and they are also expresely made non-
justiciable by Clause (5) of the Article;
(c) that the suit and the writ petition were premature as the process which was being challenged might
or might not actually produce the apprehended result or action.
On Preliminary Grounds Court held the question non-Justiciable
6.6.07 Although the learned Judges constituting the Bench gave separate reasons, they were agreed that
the suit/petition was liable to dismissal on any one or more of the preliminary grounds. Goswami, Fazal Ali
and Untwalia, JJ,were of the view that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to maintain the suit. Untwalia J. did
not want to rest his judgement on this technical ground alone. Beg CJ. and Fazal Ali J. held that the suit
was premature. There was general agreement among all the judges that the matter in question was beyond
the range of judicial review either because it was of a political nature, regarding which the President's
subjective satisfaction was conclusive, or was otherwise non-justiciable in view of the bar to the Court's
jurisdiction in Clause (5) of the Article. The Court, however, made it clear that the President's 'satisfaction'
would be open to judicial review only in those exceptional cases where on facts admitted or disclosed, it is
manifest that it is mala fide or is based on wholly extreneous or irrelevant grounds. After an elaborate
discussion, the court held that the case before it did not fall within this exception.
6.6.08 Although all the learned Judges did not refer to clause (5), expressely or in detail, they were very
much conscious of this formidable hurdle in their way. Clause (5) as it then stood, was as under:
“Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the satisfaction of the President mentioned in Clause (1)
shall be final and conclusive and shall not be questioned in any Court on any ground”.
 The Forty-Fourth Amendment has removed this impedi-ment to the Court's jurisdiction.
6.6.09 All said and done, it will not be correct to read the judgement in Rajasthan case as settling the
question of the constitutional propriety of the use of Article 356, for the purpose of dismissing the Ministry
and dissolving the Legislative Assembly of a State on the sole ground that, in Elections to the Lok Sabha,
the ruling party in the State has suffered an overwhelming defeat. The court guarded against the possibility
of drawing from its judgement any such inference, when, speaking through Bhagwati J., it observed:
”..........merely because the ruling party in a State suffers defeat in the elections to the Lok Sabha..........by
itself can be no ground for saying that the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with
the provisions of the Constitution. The Federal Structure under our Constitution clearly postulates that there
may be one party in power in the State and another at Centre”28. At the state when the case was heard and
decided, the matter was premature. No action under Article 356(1) had yet been taken. The court therefore
observed. “It would be hazardous in the extreme to proceed on the assumption that this would be the only
ground before the Council of Ministers when it considers whether or not to take action under Article 356
clause (1), and that “new grounds may emerge”.29
6.6.10 An overwhelming majority, including former Governors, Ministers, statesmen, parliamentarians
and political scientists, of those who were interviewed by us, were unanimous in expressing the view that
the use of Article 356(1) in 1977 by the then Union Government and dissolution of the Assemblies in the 9
States and the repetition of the same experiment on the same grounds by the successor Government in
1980, was clearly improper. In our opinion, these 18 cases are typical instances of wholesale misuse of
Article 356 for political purposes, extraneous to the one for which the power has been conferred by the
Constitution.

Rajasthan case highlighted in efficacy of constitutional Checks

6.6.11 Be that as it may, Rajasthan case is important in as much as it highlighted the inadequacy of the
two checks explicitly or implicitly recognised by the Constitution against the capricious use of this
extraordinary power. Firstly, it exposed the utter inefficacy of the control of each House of Parliament as a
safeguard provided in clause (3) of Article 356. The Court found that, for two months from its issue, a
proclamation under clause (1) of the Article remains in full force and effect, irrespective of any approval or
no-approval of parliament. If, within these two months, on the basis of that Proclamation an irrevocable
order, such as dissolution of the State legislative Assembly, is passed, either House of parliament cannot,
when the proclamation is laid before them as enjoined by clause (3), undo the same. In our opinion, it is
high time that this loophole is plugged and the control of parliament over the exercise of the drastic power
in Article 356(1) made more effective.
6.6.12 One State Government has suggested that Article 356(3) may be amended so that a Proclamation
which is not placed before Parliament or is not approved by it becomes inoperative from the time of its
issue and all action taken in pursuance of such a proclamation becomes void ab initio.
6.6.13 Proclamations have necessarily to be placed before each House of Parliament under Article
356(3). We, therefore, need consider only two situations a Proclamation may not be approved or may be
specifically disapproved by Parliament.
6.6.14 As noticed in para 6.6.11 ante, a proclamation under Article 356(1), notwithstanding that it has
not been approved or has been disapproved by Parliament, remains in full force and effect for a period of
two months from the date of its issue, unless revoked earlier under clause (2) of the Article. A law made
during this period by the appropriate authority in accordance with Article 357(1)(a) continues—by virtue of
clause (2) of this Article—in force even after the proclamation has ceased to operate, till the law is altered
or repealed or amended. As executive power is generally co-extensive with legislative power, this principle
of continuity applies also to administrative action duly taken by the State and the union Governments in
pursuance of proclamation.
6.6.15 The Constitution does not, therefore, contemplate that actions duly taken, the rights acquired or
liabilities incurred during the operation of the proclamation, should get affected by reason of the
proclamation ceasing to be in force. This is in conformity with the general principle underlying section 6 of
the General Clauses Act, 1897.
 6.6.16 Another noteworthy feature is that it is for the Union Executive to determine in its subjective
judgement whether a situation in a state in such as to warrant its intervention and action under Article
356. Thus, a proclamation under Article 356(1) carries a strong presumption of its validity which cannot be
questioned in court except on the limited ground of mala fides.
6.6.17 If the sections duly taken by the Union Executive on the strength of a proclamation issued under
Article 356(1) are to be deemed void ab initio in the event of Parliament not approving the proclamation, it
will not only be repugnant to the basic principles underlying these provisions, but also lead to undesirable
and anomalous consequences. All actions taken, rights acquired, liabilities incurred, obligations
undertaken, and penalties suffered thereunder, will ipso fecto stand vacated and become non est in law.
Such a 'no-government' interregnum or vacuum is anti-thetical to the scheme of the Constitution. In fact,
the confusion and chaos resulting from the regression might precipitate a situation necessitating imposition
of the President's rule once again. Moreover, it will not be a workable proposition because all actions taken
by the union Executive under the proclamation, may not be inherently revocable. Many of them may be of
the nature of a fait accompli, or a matter settled and closed, and therefore, irreversible.
6.6.18 For the above reasons, we cannot support the suggestion referred to in para 6.6.12 above.
6.6.19 Two divergent suggestions have been received by us in regard to the dissolution of the
Legislative Assembly. One suggestion is that the President should not, immediately on, or simultaneously
with, the imposition of President's Rule, dissolve the State Assembly till the proclamation is approved by
Parliament. This implies that the Legislative Assembly should be kept in a State of suspended animation till
the proclamation is laid before Parliament for approval. As against this, it has been argued that, to prevent
defection and horse treading during the President's Rule, it is necessary to dissolve the Assembly
immediately. We have considered carefully both the points of view. We agree that the Union Executive
should not be allowed to make the control of Parliament provided in Clause (3) of the Article wholly
ineffective by an irreversible decision before Parliament has had an opportunity to consider the
Proclamation. In regard to the other; suggestion that the Assembly should be dissolved immediately to curb
the possibility of defection. We note that Parliament has passed the Constitution (Fifty-second
Amendment) Act, 1985 to check this evil.
6.6.20 We recommend that the State legislative Assembly should not be dissolved either by the
Governor or the President before the Proclamation has been laid before Parliament and it has had an
opportunity to consider it. Article 356 should be suitably amended to ensure this.
6.6.21 It has been further suggested by some eminent persons that safeguards analogous to those in
clauses (3), (6), (7) and (8) of Article 352 should be drafted on Article 356, also. Article 352, in terms,
deals with a situation of grave emergency; while Article 356(1) does not use the word 'emergency' in the
context of the situation contemplated by it. The consequences of a proclamation of emergency issued under
Article 352 are far more drastic and far-reaching than of the one issued under Article 356. The safeguards
provided in clauses (3) and (6) of Article 352 are far more stringent than those contained in its clauses (7)
and (8).
6.6.22 We are, therefore, not in favour of suggesting in corporation in article 356 provisions similar to
those of clauses (3) and (6) of Article 352.
6.6.23 We recommend that, in principle, safeguards corresponding to clauses (7) and(8) of Article which
are less stringent—should be provided through an amendment in Article 356. Such an amendment will
make the control of Parliament over the exercise of this extraordinary power under Article 356 more
effective. This will also be consistent with an complementary to our recommendations in the preceding
paragraphs.
6.6.24 Secondly, the Rajasthan case has highlighted the limitations and difficulties of judicial review.
Though the bar to the Court's jurisdiction in clause (5) of Article 356 has since been removed by the Forty-
fourth Amendment, the judicial remedy of seeking relief, even against a mala fide exercise of the power,
will remain more or less illusory, if the basic facts on which the President, in effect, the Union Council of
Ministers, reaches the satisfaction requisite for taking action under Article 356(1), are not made known.
Clause (2) of Article 74 bars the jurisdiction of the Courts to enquire into the question whether any, and if
so what, advice was tendered by the Ministers to the President for taking action under Article 356(1). If in a
given case, the Union Government taking shelter behind this clause, refuses to disclose all such basic facts
and grounds, it can effectively defeat even this tenuous remedy of judicial review. It is another matter that,
by withholding such information, it may run the risk of court censure and public opprobrium.
6.6.25 We recommend that to make the remedy of judicial review on the ground of mala fides a
little more meaningful, it should be provided, through an appropriate amendment, that
“notwithstanding anything in clause (2) of Article 74 of the Constitution the material facts and
grounds on which Article 356 (1) is invoked should be made an integral part of the proclamation
issued under that Article. This will also make the control of Parliament over the exercise of this
power by the Union Executive, more effective.
6.6.26 The power under Article 356 can be invoked if the President is satisfied about the existence of a
situation “in which the Government of a State can not be carried on in accordance with the provisions of
this Constitution”. Most often, the President is moved to action on the report of the Governor although he
can also act on information received “other-wise”. We note that the report of the Governor is being placed
before each House of Parliament. We would emphasis that such a report of the Governor should be a
“speaking document” containing a precise and clear statement of all material facts and grounds on the basis
of which the President may satisfy himself as to the existence or otherwise of the situation contemplated in
Article 356.
6.6.27 Likewise, the information received “other wise” by the President must contain all the important
facts to enable the President to form the requisite opinion. If the report or the information is vague or
contains facts which are wholly irrelevant or extraneous to the purpose for which the power has been
conferred, President's proclamation, based on such a report or information, will be vulnerable to the charge
of legal mala fides. Statement of all the basic facts in the Governor's report and its publication has become
all the more necessary after the Forty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution which has removed the bar
to the jurisdiction of the Courts from the Article.
6.6.28 Indeed, we understand, that the Union Government are not averse to the practice of publishing the
Governor's report on the basis of which a Proclamation under Article 356(1) is issued. Recently, the
Governor's report on which the President's Rule was imposed in Punjab with effect from May 11, 1987,
was published promptly and in full, in all the important newspapers in India. This is a very healthy practice.
We recommend that its observance with firm consistency should continue in future also.
6.6.29 We further recommend that normally, President's Rule in a State should be proclaimed on the
basis of the Governor's report under Article 356(1). This practice will operate not only as a check against
arbitrary or hasty exercise of this extraordinary power but also save the Union Government from
embarrasement in case of an error. It will also protect them against an unwarranted accusation of malicious
dismissal or suspension of the State Government. The Union Government is accountable for its action to
Parliament. If the promulgation of the President’s Rule is questioned in Parliament on the ground of mala
fides or otherwise, the Union Government can dispel that charge on the ground that it had acted in good
faith on the basis of the Governor's Report.
Use of Article 356
A—When Ministry Commanded Majority
6.6.30 President's Rule was imposed in 13 cases even though the Ministry enjoyed a majority support in
the Legislative Assembly. These cover instances where provisions of Article 356 were invoked to deal with
intra-party problems or for considerations not relevant for the purpose of that Article. The proclamation of
President's Rule in Punjab in June, 1951 and in Andhra Pradesh in January, 1973 are instances of the use
of Article 356 for sorting out intra-party disputes. The imposition of President's rule in Tamil Nadu in 1976
and in Manipur in 1979, were on the consideration that there was maladministration in these State.
B—Chance not given to form alternative Government
6.6.31 In as many as 15 cases, where the Ministry resigned, other claimants were not given a chance to
form an alternative government and have their majority support tested in the Legislative Assembly.
Proclamation of President's rule in Kerala in March, 1965 and in Uttar Pradesh in October, 1970 are
examples of denial of an opportunity to other claimants to form a Government.
C—No caretaker Government formed
 6.6.32 In 3 cases, where it was found not possible to form a viable government and fresh elections were
necessary, no care-taker Ministry was formed.
D—President's rule inevitable
6.6.33 In as many as 26 cases (including 3 arising out of States Reorganisation) it would appear that
President's rule was inevitable.
6.6.34 Situations arising out of non-compliance with directions of the type contemplated in Article 365
have not occurred so far.

7. SUGGESTIONS BEFORE THE COMMISSION

6.7.01— We have received valuable suggestions from the State Governments and many eminent
persons. These cover a wide range dealing with the scope of Article 356 and the safeguards to be
built into the system, to prevent misuse of the same. However, at the outset, it is necessary to deal
with the drastic suggestion made by some that this Article may be deleted. As noted in Chapter I
on “Perspective”, there has been a growth in sub-nationalism which has tended to strengthen
divisive forces and weaken the unity and integrity of the country. Linguistic chauvinism has also
added a new dimension in keeping people apart. Dim memories of the historical past are being
actively revived, to whip up animosities. Unity and integrity of the country is of paramount
importance. Unless there is a will and commitment to work for a united country, there are real
dangers that regionalism, linguistic, chauvinism, communalism, casteism, etc. may foul the
atmosphere to a point were secessionist thoughts start pervading the body politic. It is, therefore,
necessary to preserve the overriding powers of the Union to enable it to deal with such situations
and ensure that the government in the State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution. We are firmly of the view that Article 356 should remain as ultimate Constitutional
weapon to cope with such extreme situations.
6.7.02 Among the suggestions received, some seek to restrict the scope of Article 356 only to a serious
breakdown of law and order paralysing the State administration and where the State Government lacks the
will and capability to meet the situation. Some others are of the view that action under Article 356 may also
be taken where there is a complete failure to induct a government which can command a majority in the
State Legislature. One State Government has stated that the provisions of this Article may also be invoked
in a situation “where the State Government undoubtedly engages in connivance at sabotage of national
defence in case of actual or impending war”.
6.7.03 We have already explained that failure of constitutional machinery may occur in several ways
due to various causes, all of which cannot be foreseen or put in the strait jacket of a statute and it is difficult
to give an exhaustive catalogue of all situations or combinations of situations, though, for convenience,
four broad heads have been mentioned in paragraph 6.4.01—. Government connivance at sabotage is very
serious matter. We have already pointed out in para 6.4.10 that States are under a liability not to carry on
the government in a manner contrary to, or subversive of, the provisions of the Constitution. It would be a
dangerously narrow view of cognizance of a situation of connivance at sabotage should be taken only in the
context of national defence and only in the case of actual or impending war. We are, therefore, of the view
that it would not be possible to limit the scope of action under Article 356 to specific situations.
6.7.04 Having considered these suggestions carefully we recommend that article 356 should be used
very sparingly, in extreme cases, as a measure of last resort, when all available alternatives fail to prevent
or rectify the break-down of the constitutional machinery. All attempts should be made to resolve the crisis
at the State level before taking recourse to the provisions of Article 356. The availability and choice of
these alternatives will depend on the nature of the constitutional crisis, its causes, and exigencies of the
situation. Since these factors are variable, any enumeration of such alternatives can, at best, be illustrative.
Nor can the exhaustion of these alternative courses, before invoking Article 356, be insisted upon as an
absolute rule. These can be dispensed with in a case of extreme urgency, where failure on the part of the
Union to take immediate action under Article 356 may lead to disastrous consequences.
6.7.05 A number of safeguards have been suggested to prevent possible misuse of the provision of this
Article. Some State Governments and others have suggested that the Inter-State Council should be
consulted before a proclamation under Article 356 is issued. One State Government has suggested that
Article 356 should be amended to provide for prior approval of the Inter-State Council or its Standing
Committees. They have also suggested that, in case elections cannot be held within six months after
proclamation of President's rule, the Inter -State Council should be consulted again and its opinion placed
before Parliament. It has been noticed earlier that the power under Article 356 is drastic precisely because it
is required to deal with an extraordinary situation. Although it is a power of last resort, yet, once it is
invoked and the proclamation issued, the consequences follow immediately. The exigencies of a situation
of constitutional break-down often require swift and effective action. Prior consultation with any other
body or authority will hamper the speedy and efficacious exercise of this power in such urgent situations.
Further, this will dilute the responsibility of the Union Executive for the action taken under Article 356, to
Parliament.
6.7.06 It has been suggested to us that principles of natural justice should be followed before a State
Government is dismissed and President's rule imposed. It is suggested that, before sending his report, the
Governor should communicate it to the State Government and obtain its comments. Again, before issue of
a proclamation, the President should convey the reasons for the action contemplated and take into
consideration the clarifications of the State Government before taking a final decision to impose President's
rule. Yet another suggestion is that, in keeping with the principles of fair-play and justice, warning should
be given.
6.7.07 We have carefully considered the above suggestions. We have emphasised the need to exhaust all
possible alternative courses of action to resolve the crisis before resorting to the provisions of Article 356.
It is apparent that the Governor, as the constitutional head of the State, and the President, in fulfilment of
the duties cast upon the Union Executive under Article 355, would have exhausted all possible steps
including consultation with the State Council of Ministers, where necessary, to prevent a situation of
breakdown of the constitutional machinery of the State, before reporting to action under Article 356.
Therefore, there is no need for any show-cause notice to be issued by the Governor before sending his
report or by the President before issue of proclamation.
6.7.08 However, we fully endorse the suggestion for issue of a warning before taking action under
Article 356. The Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly had made similar
observations at the time of framing the Constitution. The warning to the errant State should be in specific
terms to indicate that it is not carrying on the Government of the State in accordance with the Constitution.
Before taking action under Article 356 , the explanation, if any, received from the State should be taken
into account. However, this may not be possible in a situation when not taking immediate action would lead
to disastrous consequences.
6.7.09 Article 356 was amended by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, Clause (5) of
Article 356 so amended, provides that a resolution with respect to the continuance in force of a
proclamation for any period beyond one year from the date of issue of such proclamation shall not be
passed by either House of Parliament unless two conditions are satisfied. Firstly, a Proclamation of
Emergency is in operation in the whole of India or as the case may be, in the whole or any part of the State,
and secondly, the Election commission certifies that the continuance in force of the proclamation during the
extended period is necessary on account of difficulties in holding general elections to the Legislative
Assembly of the State concerned. It has been urged before us by some that the new clause (5) has made for
rigidity. The case of Punjab has been cited, where in order to continue the President's rule beyond the
period of one year, a constitutional amendment became necessary. On the other hand, it has been argued
that keeping in view the alleged misuse of the provisions of Article 356 in the past, there is need for severe
restrictions in respect of any extension beyond one year. While several State Governments consider that the
existing provisions or appropriate, two have suggested that the position as was obtaining prior to the forty-
Fourth Amendment should be restored. Two other State Governments have suggested that a little more
flexibility could be introduced without detracting from the present limitations by substituting the word 'or'
for the word 'and' between Sub-Clauses (a) and (b) of Clause (5) of Article 356.
6.7.10 We have given careful consideration to both points of view. We do appreciate that it may become
necessary to extend the period of the Proclamation further if there is an 'Emergency' covering the whole of
India or that State or any part of that State. Again, it may be necessary in case general elections cannot be
held to the Legislative Assembly of the State. However, it is not clear why the co-existence of these two
conditions should be a prerequisite to enable the continuance of the President's rule in a State beyond one
year as there is no apparent causal relation between the two. We are of the view that it is not desirable to
amend the Constitution from time to time merely for this purpose. We note that, after the Forty-fourth
Amendment, while instances of Proclamation of 'Emergency' under article 352 may be rare, situations
where it is difficult to hold general elections to the State Assembly may occur from time to time. In such a
situation continuance of President's Rule may become necessary. The balance of advantage would seem to
lie in delinking the two conditions so that, whenever either condition is satisfied, president's rule could be
continued even beyond one year with the approval of Parliament and repeated amendments of the
constitution avoided. The crux of the whole issue is that the situation obtaining in the State at the time
when the continuance of the President's rule is sought, should be such that the Government of the State
cannot yet be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
6.7.11 We recommend that in clause (5) of Article 356, the word 'and' occurring between sub-clauses (a)
and (b) should be substituted by 'or' so that, if either condition is satisfied, the proclamation can be
continued in force beyond one year.
6.7.12 We note that in certain cases, President's Rule was continued beyond two months by issuing a
fresh Proclamation on the expiry of the first one. Approval of Parliament is necessary if the proclamation is
to be continued beyond two months (Clause (3), Article 356). The provisions of Clause (3) are
circumvented and the control of Parliament diluted if technically a 'fresh' proclamation is issued
substantially on the same facts, on the expiry of the first one. This will not be a desirable practice.
6.7.13 We recommend that every Proclamation should be placed before each House of Parliament at the
earliest and in any case before the expiry of the period of two months from its issue.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
6.8.01— Article 356 should be used very sparingly, in extreme cases, as a measure of last resort, when
all available alternatives fail to prevent or rectify a break-down of constitutional machinery in the State. All
attempts should be made to resolve the crisis at the State level before taking recourse to the provisions of
Article 356. The availability and choice of these alternatives will depend on the nature of the constitutional
crisis, its causes and exigencies of the situation. These alternatives may be dispensed with only in cases of
extreme urgency where failure on the part of the Union to take immediate action Under Article 356 will
lead to disastrous consequences.
(Paragraph 6.7.04)
6.8.02 A warning should be issued to the errant State, in specific terms, that it is not carrying on the
government of the State in accordance with the Constitution. Before taking action under Article 356, any
explanation received from the State should be taken into account. However, this may not be possible in a
situation when not taking immediate action would lead to disastrous consequences.
(Paragraph 6.7.08)
6.8.03 When an 'external aggression' or 'internal disturbance' paralyses the State administration creating
a situation drifting towards a potential breakdown of the Constitutional machinery of the State, all
alternative courses available to the Union for discharging its paramount responsibility under Article 355
should be exhausted to contain the situation.
(Paragraph 6.3.17)
6.8.04 (a) In a situation of political breakdown, the Governor should explore all possibilities of having a
government enjoying majority support in the Assembly. If it is not possible for such a government to be
installed and if fresh elections can be held without avoidable delay, he should ask the outgoing Ministry, if
there is one to continue as a caretaker government, provided the Ministry was defeated solely on a major
policy issue, unconnected with any allegations of maladministration or corruption and is agreeable to
continue. The Governor should then dissolve the Legislative Assembly, leaving the resolution of the
constitutional crisis to the electorate. During the interim period, the caretaker government should be
allowed to function. As a matter of convention, the caretaker government should merely carry on the day-
to-day government and desist from taking any major policy decision. (Para graph 6.4.08)
(b) If the important ingredients described above are absent, it would not be proper for
the Governor to dissolve the Assembly and install a caretaker government. The Governor
should recommend proclamation of President's rule without dissolving the Assembly.
 (Paragraph 6.4.09)
6.8.05 Every Proclamation should be placed before each House of Parliament at the earliest, in any case
before the expiry of the two month period contemplated in clause (3) of Article 356.
(Paragraph 6.7.13)
6.8.06 The State Legislative Assembly should not be dissolved either by the Governor or the President
before the Proclamation issued under Article 356(1) has been laid before Parliament and it has had an
opportunity to consider it. Article 356 should be suitably amended to ensure this.
(Paragraph 6.6.20)
6.8.07 Safeguards corresponding, in principle, to clauses (7) and (8) of Article 352 should be
incorporated in Article 356 to enable Parliament to review continuance in force of a Proclamation.
(Paragraph 6.6.23)
6.8.08 To make the remedy of judicial review on the ground of mala fides a little more meaningful, it
should be provided, through an appropriate amendment, that notwithstanding anything in clause (2) of
Article 74 of the Constitution, the material facts and grounds on which Article 356(1) is invoked should be
made an integral part of the Proclamation issued under that Article. This will also make the control of
Parliament over the exercise of this power by the Union Executive, more effective.
(Paragraph 6.6.25)
6.8.09 Normally, the President is moved to action under Article 356 on the report of the Governor. The
report of the Governor is placed before each House of Parliament. Such a report should be a “speaking
document” containing a precise and clear statement of all material facts and grounds on the basis of which
the President may satisfy himself as to the existence or otherwise of the situation contemplated in Article
356.
(Paragraph 6.6.26)
6.8.10 The Governor's report, on the basis of which a Proclamation under Article 356(1) is issued,
should be given wide publicity in all the media and in full.
(Paragraph 6.6.28)
6.8.11 Normally, President's Rule in a State should be proclaimed on the basis of the Governor's report
under Article 356(1).
(Paragraph 6.6.29)
6.8.12 In clause (5) of Article 356, the word and occurring between sub-clauses (a) and (b) should be
substituted by 'or'.
(Paragraph 6.7.11)
 CHAPTER VIII
ALL INDIA SERVICES

ANNEXURE VI. I
Federal Supremacy in the U.S.A.
1. The American Constitution, in the language of Article VI (2), ordains:
"This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which
shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall
be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
The import of the Supremacy Clause has been considerably amplified through judicial interpretation. As early as 1819, in
MacCulloch v. Maryland, Chief Justice John Marshall of the United States, enunciated that the acts of the Federal Government done
in pursuance of the Constitution are operative as Supreme Law throughout the Union and, as a basic consequence of this supremacy,
the States have no power to impede, burden or in any manner control the operation of the laws enacted by the Government of the
nation. This is also the principle underlying Articles 256 and 257 of the Constitution of India. Marshall further elaborated the
implications of the Supremacy Clause in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824). These have been neatly summed up by Schwartz, to mean that
"federal action (whether in the form of a statute, a treaty, a court decision, or an administrative act), if itself Constitutional, must
prevail over State action inconsistent therewith".30
2. The legislative facets of this principle are embodied in Articles 246 and 254 of the Indian Constitution.
3. There is another provision of the American Constitution which gives paramount power to the Federal Government to interfere
with the functioning of the State Governments. This is contained in Article IV (4), which runs as follows:
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them
against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against
domestic Violence".
The first part of this provision is known as the Guarantee Clause. Its second part is called the Protection Clause. The principles
involved in these Clauses are analogous to those which underlie Article 355 of our Constitution.
4. A vast potential is rooted in the sweeping and unqualified language of the Guarantee Clause. Indeed, in the course of American
history, it has assumed protean forms. President Lincoln in 1861 sought in this clause an authorisation for extraordinary national
action to put down rebellion, to strike down slavery, to assume certain basic civil and potential rights for freed 'blacks' and to
effectuate programmes to deal with problems during the Reconstruction (1861-1877).
5. The Guarantee Clause is considered as "a tremendous store-house of power to reshape the American federal system". An
American author who has made an exhaustive survey of the past uses of the31 Guarantee Clause, sums up his views about the nature,
the potential uses and dangers of this power, as follows.
"This Clause is, in Summer's simile, a giant, and should be watched carefully, since its tremendous power can be dangerous as
well as protective to republican liberty.........The guarantee is prophylactic; the federal government is to ‘protect as well as restore’
republican government in the States. It imposes affirmative obligations on both nation and states; it 'still exists as an independent
and untapped source of federal power, by which the Central Government can assume the fuller realisation of our society's
democratic goals'......the characteristics of republicanism must be 'dictated by contemporary values. Those values will not only
include the present spirit of the national government, but also the current expectations of the American peoples, such as access to
the ballot and equal access for all to housing, employment, education, transportation and numerous other things, when sufficiently
touched with a public interest".
6. Article IV(4) of the American Constitution does not prescribe the manner in which the guarantee as to the republican form of
government may be enforced against a State. It has no provision analogous to Articles 356 and 357, authorising the Union
Government or the President to suspend or supersede the Constitutional machinery in a State.
7. Article 1, Section 8(18) of the American Constitution empowers the Congress to "make all Laws which shall be necessary and
proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof". Article 1, Section 8(15) of that Constitution authorises the Congress to make
laws "to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute 'the Laws of the Union suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions". The
consent or request of a State is not a condition precedent to the exercise of this power. By virtue of these provisions, the Congress
enacted the Enforcement Act, 1795, delegating this power to the President, The Act was supplemented by a 1807 statute which
authorises the President to use the regular armed forces to supplement the federalised Militia, for law enforcement purposes.
8. Article II, Section 3 of the American Constitution, confers on the President the duty and power 'to take care that the Laws of the
United States be faithfully executed.'
9. In discharge of their obligations under the Constitution, buttressed by statutes, the Presidents of United States have, on
occasions, deployed the Federal Forces in the States for suppressing domestic violence and resistence to the enforcement of the Union
and State Laws, even without there being any application from the affected State for such aid.
 10. In course of time the President's power to employ the military forces in the enforcement of laws of the United States, has
undergone enlargement, due in part to the President's initiative and in part to Congresional legislation.32 During the great railway
strikes of 1877 there was violence in 10 States. President Hayes without waiting for any formal application from those States, sent
Federal Forces and ammunition to the scenes of trouble for the purpose of aiding "in the enforcement of the laws of the Union" and "to
protect property of the United States".
11. The practice initiated by Hayes was extended by President Cleveland. In the Pullman strike of 1894, the President, acting
against the vehement protests of the State's Governor, deployed the military forces in Chicago to protect the property of the United
States and "to remove obstructions to United States mails".32
12. In Re Eugene Debs (158 US 564), the Supreme Court of United States not only justified the course adopted by President
Cleveland but further amplified the basis for such action. Delivering the unanimous opinion of the Court, Justice Brewer affirmed that
"the entire strength of the nation may be used to enforce in any part of land the full and free exercise of all national powers and the
security of all rights entrusted by the Constitution to its care".
13. In April, 1871, the Congress passed an Act, which enlarged the scope of Presidential authority. Its object was to ensure that
"the due course of justice" is not obstructed, and no class is denied the equal protection of its Constitutional rights. The Act conferred
on the President the right and the duty to take such measures by the employment of the militia or the and of naval forces of the United
States, or of either, or by other means, as he may deem necessary, for the suppression of any insurrection, domestic violence or
combinations in a State which hinder the execution of the laws, state or national.
14. After re Debs' case, the requirement of an application for aid under the Protection Clause in Article IV, from the affected State,
for suppressing domestic violence in the State, has, in practice, lost its importance. The result is that "today we have to go further and
recognize that the line, which Article IV impliedly draws between the 'general peace' and the domestic peace of the individual states
has become an extremely tenuous one".33
15. The paramountcy of the duty and power of the Federal Government to put down serious disorders and unconstitutional refusal
of a State or States to enforce constitutional guarantees, Federal Laws and decisions of the Federal Courts on racial de-segregation,
was again demonstrated on two occasions, recently.
16. The facts giving rise to the first occasion were as follows:
The Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and Bolling v. Sharpe (1954) decided that school segregation, both in
the States and in the District of Columbia, violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. By the same decision they over-
ruled the old doctrine of 'separate but equal', that had been enunciated in Plessy v. Ferquson. In May, 1955, the Court after
rearguments in Brown v. Board (second case) remanded the cases to the lower courts concerned to work out equitable solutions to
eliminate 'the variety of obstacles' in the way of admissions "to public schools on a racially non-discriminatory basis with all
deliberate speed." The second Brown decision triggered a protracted legal and political battle over school desegre gration throughout
the South. There was a calculated move and "massive resistance" in an effort to block implementation of the Brown decision in
several Southern States. The National Association For Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) countered by equally massive
program of litigation in courts. The litigation sparked off political maneuvering, rioting and violence necessitating the imposition of
martial law. In September 1957, Governor Orval Faubus called out the Arkansas National Guards and by proclaiming the necessity of
maintaining law and order, effectively barred prospective Negro students from entering the white High School building at Little Rock.
He disregarded a series of court's orders commanding immediate compliance with the integration plan. A conference between Faubus
and President Eisenhower failed to produce any result. On the President's instructions, the Attorney General obtained an injunction
against the Governor ordering him and the National Guards to cease forthwith from blocking enforcement of the Federal Courts'
orders. The Governor thereupon withdrew the National Guards. However, when Negro students again attempted to enter the High-
school they were prevented from doing so by a large and unruly mob. Thereupon, President Eisenhower on September 25, 1957
despatched several companies of United States Army to Little Rock, in effect putting the city under martial law. This action was taken
by him under the aforesaid Federal Act of 1871 which authorised the President to suppress insurrection and unlawful combination that
hinder execution of any State or Federal law. As a result, mob resistance immediately disappeared and several Negro students
thereupon entered the school without further interference.34
17. On September 12, in a unanimous decision in Cooper v. Aaron (1958), the Supreme Court formally reiterated the ratio of the
decision in Brown v. Board of Education and affirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeals, refusing to suspend the integration plan
of the School Board. It was pointed out that the constitutional right not to be discriminated against in schools maintained by or with
the aid of a State cannot be nullified openly and directly by state legislators or state executive or judicial officers, nor indirectly by
them through evasive schemes for segregation whether attempted ingeniously or ingenuously; and that the ruling of the Brown Case
was the supreme law of the land and Article VI of the Federal Constitution makes it of binding effect on the States, "anything in the
Constitution or laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding".
18. This decision "constituted a solemn admonition to the States of Arkansas on the folly and futility of attempting to frustrate the
sovereign will of the Supreme Court and the national government".35
19. The next occasion on which the President had to call out the Army to enforce the constitutional guarantees, and rights of the
United States arose in September, 1962. Following a protracted litigation, the Supreme Court directed the officials of the University of
Mississippi to admit one James Meredith, a Negro student. The Governor virtually took charge of the University and using state and
local police blocked repeated attempts of Meredith, now escorted by United States marshals, to register. The Court of Appeals
thereupon convicted the governor for contempt when attempts to persuade the Governor to recede failed, President Kennedy on
September 29, 1962 issued a proclamation addressed to the officials and people of the State of Mississippi, warning them to cease
their resistence to federal authority. On the following day, the University officials capitulated and agreed to allow Meredith to register.
When Meredith accompanied by several hundred United States marshals, went to the University to get registered, massive riots
approaching the proportions of an insurrection broke out in and around the college campus. President Kennedy then sent several
thousand regular U.S. Army troops, as well as several units of the Mississippi Nation 1 Guards, to put down the disorder and
resistance to the federal law and the Constitution. Resistance collapsed and Meredith registered and began attending classes.

20. Yet another instance of such intervention by the President in a State, arose early in 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson
mobilised the Alabama National Guard to protect persons participating in a massive Civil Rights "March" in Montgomery

ANNEXURE VI.2
Test of Articles 355, 356, and 357 of the Constitution of India, as Originally Enacted, and Modifications made therein by
constitution Amendment Acts

Text of the Articles, as Originally enacted, (Portions which have been Omissions Additions/substitutions made by amending Acts
affected by subsequent amending by acts have been underlined)
1 2
355. Duty of the Union to protect states against external aggression and No Change

Internal disturbance.

It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State

against external aggression and internal disturbance and to

ensure that the Government of every States carried on in accordance

with the provisions of this Constitution

356. Provisions in case of failure of constitutional (3) Every Proclamation under this article shall be laid
machinery in states before each House of Parliament and shall, except where it is
a Proclamation revoking a previous Proclamation, cease to
(1) If the President, on receipts of a report from the operate at the expiration of two months unless before the
Governor or Rajpramukh of a State or otherwise, is satisfied expiration of that period it has been approved by resolutions
that a situation has arisen in which the government of the of both Houses of Parliament:
state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions
of this Constitution, the President may be Proclamation— Provided that if any such Proclamation (not being a
Proclamation revoking a previous Proclamation) is issued at
(a) assume to himself all or any of the functions of the a time when the House of the people is dissolved or the
Government of the State and all or any of the powers dissolution of the House of the People takes place during the
vested in or exercisable by the Governor or period of two months referred to in this clause, and if a
Rajpramukh, as the case may be, or any body or resolution approving the Proclamation has been passed by the
authority in the State other than the Legislature of the Council of States, but no resolution with respect to such
State; Proclamation has been passed by the house of the People
(b) declare that the powers of the Legislature of the State before the expiration of that period, the Proclamation shall
shall be exercisable by or under the authority of cease to operate at the expiration of thirty days from the date
Parliament; on which the House of the People first sits after its
(c) make such incidental and consequential provisions as reconstitution unless before the expiration of the said period
appear to the President to be necessary or desirable for of thirty days a resolution approving the Proclamation has
giving effect to the objects of the Proclamation, been also passed by the house of the People.
including provisions for suspending in whole or in part
the operation of any provisions of this Constitution Clause (1)
relating to any body or authority in the State: The words "or Rajpramukh" omitted by C.A. 7, Section 29
Provided that nothing in this clause shall authorise the and Schedule w.e.f. 1.11.1956.
President to assume to himself any of the powers vested in or
exercisable by a High Court, or to suspend in whole or in part
the operation of any provision of this Constitution relating to The Words "or Rajpramukh, as the case may be", omitted
High Courts. by C.A. 7, Section 29 and Schedule w.e.f. 1.11.1956.
(2) Any such Proclamation may be revoked or varied
by a subsequent Proclamation.
 (4) A Proclamation so approved shall, unless revoked, "one year" by C.A. 42), re-substituted for "one year" by
cease to operate on the expiration of a period of six months C.A. 44, Section 38(1)(ii) & (iii) w.e.f. 26.6.1979.
from the date of the passing of the second of the resolutions Clause (5) (NEW)
approving the proclamation under Clause (3): (i) The following new clause (5) inserted by C.A. 38,
Provided that if and so often as a resolution approving Section 6 (retrospectively):
the continuance in force of such a Proclamation is passed by "(5) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the
both Houses of Parliament, the Proclamation shall, unless satisfaction of the President mentioned in clause (1)
revoked, continue in force for a further period of six months shall be final and conclusive and shall not be
from the date on which under this clause it would otherwise questioned in any court on any ground".
have ceased to operate, but no such Proclamation shall in any (ii) for class (5) inserted earlier by C.A. 38, the following
case remain in force for more than three years: clause was substituted by C.A. 44, Section 38(b) with
effect from 20.5.79:
Provided further that if the dissolution of the House of the "(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (4)
People takes place during any such period of six months a resolution with respect to the continuance in force of a
Proclamation approved under clause (3) for any period
and a resolution approving the continuance in force of
beyond the expiration of one year from the date of issue
such Proclamation has been passed by the Council of of such Proclamation shall not be passed by either
States, but no resolution with respect to the continuance House of Parliament unless—
in force of such Proclamation has been passed by the (a) a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, in
House of the People during the said period, the the whole of India or, as the case may be, in the whole
Proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of or any part of the State, at the time of the passing of
such resolution, and (b) the Election Commission
thirty days from the date on which the House of the certified that the continuance in force of the
People first sits after its reconstitution unless before the Proclamation approved under clause (3) during the
expiration of the said period of thirty days a resolution period specified in such resolution is necessary on
account of difficulties in holding general elections to
approving the continuance in force of the Proclamation
the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned."
has been also passed by the House of the People. (iii) The following proviso was inserted at the end by CA
Clause (4) and the first and second provisos thereunder: 48, Section 2, w.e.f. 26.8.84.
(i) The words "one year", substituted for the words, "six
months" by C.A. 42, Section 50 w.e.f. 3.1.1977. "Provided that in the case of the Proclamation
(ii) (A) In Clause (4), for the words "one year from the date issued under Clause (1) on the 6th day of October, 1983
of passing..... clause (3)", the following words
substituted by C.A. 44, Section 38 (a) (i) with effect with respect to the State of Punjab, the reference in this
from 20.6.79. "Six months from the date of issue of the clause to "any period beyond the expiration of one Year"
Proclamation". shall be construed as a reference to "any period beyond
(B) In the first and the second provisses, the words "six the expiration of two Years".
months" (which were earlier replaced by the words

357. Exercise of Legislative powers under Proclamations which Parliament or the President or such other authority
issued under Article 356. would not, but for the issue of a Proclamation under
(1) Where by a proclamation issued under clause (1) of Article 356, have been competent to make, shall, to the
article 356, it has been declared that the powers of the extent of the incompetency, cease to have effect on the
Legislature of the State shall be exercisable by or under the
expiration of a period of a one year after the
authority of Parliament, it shall be competent—
Proclamation has ceased to operate except as respects
(a) for Parliament to confer on the President the power of
the Legislature of the State to make laws, and to authorise the things done or omitted to be done before the expiration of
President to delegate, subject to such conditions as he may the said period, unless the provisions which shall so
think fit to impose, the power so conferred to any other cease, to have effect are sooner repealed or re-enacted
authority to be specified by him in that behalf;
with or without modification by Act of the appropriate
(b) for Parliament, or for the President or other authority
in whom such power to make laws is vested under sub- Legislature.
clause (a), to make laws conferring powers and imposing Clause (2)
duties, or authorising the conferring of powers and the
imposition of duties, upon the Union or officers and The existing clause replaced by new clause (2) by CA 42,
authorities thereof; Section 51(1), with effect from 3.1.77. The net effect was
(c) for the President to authorise when the House of the that the following was substituted for the expression
People is not in session expenditure from the Consolidated
Fund of the State pending the sanction of such expenditure underlined in column (1):............... after the
by Parliament. Proclamation has ceased to operate, continue in force
until altered or repealed or amended by a competent
(2) Any law made in exercise of the power of the
Legislature or other authority.
Legislature of the State by Parliament or the President or
other authority referred to in sub-clause (a) of clause (1)
 ANEXURE VI. 3
President's rule in States under Article 356 of the Constitution of India.
Sl. State Date of Date of Duration of President's Rule Whether
Assembly dissolved/
No. Proclamation revocation Years Months Days suspended
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Punjab . . . . . 20.6.1951 17.4.1952 0 9 28 Assembly
suspended
2. Pepsu . . . . . 4.3.1953 7.3.1954 1 0 3 Assembly
dissolved
3. Andhra . . . . . 15.11.1954 28.3.1955 0 4 13 -do-
4. Travancore-Cochin . . 23.3.19561.11.1956 0 7 9 -do-
5. Kerala . . . . . 1.11.1956 5.4.1957 0 5 4 On
reorganisation
of States,
Kerala came
into being.
6. Kerala . . . . . 31.7.1959 22.2.1960 0 6 22 Assembly
dissolved
7. Orissa . . . . . 25.2.1961 23.6.1961 0 3 29 -do-
8. Kerala . . . . . 10.9.1964 24.3.1965 0 6 14 -do-
9. Kerala . . . . . 24.3.1965 6.3.1967 1 11 10 -do-
10. Punjab . . . . . 5.7.1966 1.11.1966 0 3 27 State
reorganised
11. Rajasthan . . . . 13.3.1967 26.4.1967 0 1 13 Assembly
suspended
12. Haryana . . . . . 21.11.1967 21.5.1968 0 6 0 Assembly
dissolved.
13. West Bengal . . . . 20.2.1968 25.2.1969 1 0 5 Assembly
dissolved.
14. Uttar Pradesh . . . 25.2.1968 26.2.1969 1 0 1 Assembly
suspended and
sub-sequently
dissolved on
15.4.1968.

15. Bihar . 29-6-1968 26-2-1969 0 7 28 Assembly

dissolved.
 ANNEXURE VI. 3-Contd.
Sl. State Date of Date of Duration of President's Rule Whether
Assembly dissolved/
No. Proclamation revocation Years Months Days suspended

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
16.Punjab . . . . . 23-8-1968 17-2-1969 0 5 25 Assembly
dissolved.
17. Bihar . . . . . 4-7-1969 16-2-1970 0 7 12 Assembly
suspended.
18. West Bengal . . . . 19-31970 2-4-1971 1 0 14 Assembly
suspended and
sub-sequently
dissolved on
30-7-1970
19. Kerala . . . . . 4-8-1970 3-10-1970 0 2 0 Assembly
dissolved on
26-6-70 by the
Governor.
20. Uttar Pradesh . . . . 1-10-1970 18-10-1970 0 0 17 Assembly
suspended.
21. Orissa . . . . . 11-1-1971 23-1-1971 0 0 12 Do.
22. Orissa . . . . . 23-3-1971 22-2-1971 0 2 0 Assembly
dissolved.
23. Orissa . . . . . 23-3-1971 3-4-1971 0 0 11 Assembly
suspended.
24. Mysore . . . . . 27-3-1971 20-3-1972 0 11 22 Assembly
suspended but
subsequently
dissolved on
14-4-1971.
25. Gujarat . . . . . 13-5-1971 17-3-1972 0 10 4 Assembly
dissolved.
26. Punjab . . . . . 15-6-1971 17-3-1972 0 9 2 Assembly
dissolved by
the Governor
on 13-6-1971.
27. West Bengal . . . . 29-6-1971 20-3-1972 0 8 22 Assembly
dissolved on
25-6-1971 by
the Governor.
28. Bihar . . . . . 9-1-1972 8-3-1972 0 1 29 Assembly
dissolved on
29-12-71 by
the Governor.
29. Bihar . . . . . 9-3-1972 19-3-1972 0 0 10 Fresh
Proclamation
was issued as
the earlier one
ceased to
operate on
8-3-1972.
30. Manipur . . . . . 21-1-1972 20-3-1972 0 2 0 New State
formed on
re-
organisation.
31. Tripura . . . . . 21-1-1972 20-3-1972 0 2 0 New State
formed on
re-
organisation.
32. Andhra Pradesh . . . 18-1-1973 10-12-1973 0 10 22 Assembly
suspended.
33. Orissa . . . . . 3-3-1973 6-3-1974 1 0 3 Assembly
dissolved.
 34. Manipur . . . . . 28-3-1973 4-3-1974 0 11 4 Do.
35. Uttar Pradesh . . . 13-6-1973 8-11-1973 0 4 26 Assembly
suspended.
36. Gujarat . . . . . 9-2-1974 18-6-1975 1 4 9 Assembly
suspended but
sub-sequently
dissolved on
15-3-1974.
37. Nagaland . . . . . 22-3-1975 25-11-1977 2 8 3 Assembly
suspended but
sub-sequently
dissolved on
20-5-1975.
38. Uttar Pradesh . . . . 30-11-1975 21-1-1976 0 1 22 Assembly
suspended.
39. Tamil Nadu . . . . 31-1-1976 30-6-1977 1 4 29 Assembly
dissolved.
40. Gujarat . . . . . 12-3-1976 24-12-1976 0 9 12 Assembly
suspended.
41. Orissa . . . . . 16-12-1976 29-12-176 0 0 13 Do.
42. Punjab . . . . . 30-4-1977 20-6-1977 0 1 21 Assembly
dissolved.
43. Rajasthan . . . . 30-4-1977 22-6-1977 0 1 23 Do.
44. Orissa . . . . . 30-4-1977 26-6-1977 0 1 27 Do.
45. Haryana . . . . . 30-4-1977 21-6-1977 0 1 22 Do.
46. Himachal Pradesh . . . 30-4-1977 22-6-1977 0 1 23 Do.
47. Madhya Pradesh . . . 30-4-1977 23-6-1977 0 1 24 Do.
48. Uttar Pradesh . . . . 30-4-1977 23-6-1977 0 1 24 Do.
49. West Bengal . . . . 30-4-1977 21-6-1977 0 1 22 Do.
50. Bihar . . . . . 30-4-1977 24-6-1977 0 1 25 Do.
51. Manipur . . . . . 16-5-1977 29-6-977 0 1 13 Assembly
suspended.
52. Tripura . . . . . 5-11-1977 4-1-1978 0 2 0 Assembly
dissolved.
53. Karnataka . . . . 31-12-197727-2-1978 0 1 27 Do.
54. Sikkim . . . . . 18-8-1979 17-10-1979 0 2 0 Assembly
dissolved by
the Governor
on 13-8-1979.
55. Manipur . . . . . 14-11-1979 13-1-1980 0 1 29 Assembly
dissolved.
56. Kerala . . . . . 5-12-1979 25-1-1980 0 1 21 Assembly
dissolved by
the Governor
on 30-11-
1979.

57. Assam. .. 12-12-1979 6-12-1980 0 11 24 Assembly suspended.

StateDate of Date of Duration of President's RuleWhether Assembly dissolved/
No. Proclamation revocation Years Months Days suspended

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
58.Rajasthan . . . . 17-2-1980 6-6-1980 0 3 18 Assembly
dissolved.
59. Gujarat . . . . . 17-2-1980 7-6-1980 0 3 19 Do.
60. Punjab . . . . . 17-2-1980 7-6-1980 0 3 19 Do.
61. Bihar . . . . . 17-2-1980 8-6-1980 0 3 20 Do.
62. Tamil Nadu . . . . 17-2-1980 9-6-1980 0 3 21 Do.
63. Orissa . . . . . 17-2-1980 9-6-1980 0 3 21 Do.
64. Madhya Pradesh . . . 17-2-1980 9-6-1980 0 3 21 Do.
65. Maharashtra . . . . 17-2-1980 9-6-1980 0 3 21 Do.
66. Uttar pradesh . . . 17-2-1980 9-6-1980 0 3 21 Do.
67. Manipur . . . . . 28-2-1981 19-6-1981 0 3 21 Assembly
suspended.
68. Assam . . . . . 30-6-1981 13-1-1982 0 6 13 Do.
69. Kerala . . . . . 21-10-1981 28-12-1981 0 2 7 Do.
70. Kerala . . . . . 17-3-1982 24-5-1982 0 2 7 Assembly
dissolved.
71. Assam . . . . . 19-3-1982 27-2-1983 0 11 9 Do.
72. Punjab . . . . . 6-10-1983 29-9-1985 1 11 24 Assembly kept
in suspended
anima-tion
and dissolved
on 26-6-1985.
73. Sikkim . . . . . 25-5-1984 8-3-1985 0 9 14 Assembly
dissolved.
74. Jammu & Kashmir . . 7-9-1986 6-11-1986 0 2 0 Assembly
suspended.
75. Punjab . . . . . 11-5-1987 President's Do.
rule is continuing.

Cases of President's Rule—Categorywise

ANNEXURE VI. 4

Category (A)-18 Cases of special category.

The general elections to the Lok Sabha held in March, 1977 led to land-slide victory of the Janata Party which formed the
government at the Centre. The Union Home Minister wrote to the Chief Ministers of the Congress ruled States of Punjab, Rajasthan,
Orissa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar suggesting that they should seek a fresh
mandate from the people as the rout of the Congress party indicated that they had lost the peoples' support. Six of these States
(Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa) filed suits against the Union of India under Article 131 of
the Constitution seeking a declaration that the letter of the Union Home Minister which was described by them as a "directive" was
unconstitutional, illegal and ultra vires. The Court held that the letter neither constituted a threat nor was unconstitutional and
therefore dismissed the suits. President's rule was thereafter proclaimed in these 9 States on April 30, 1977.
In a similar situation when the Congress gained a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha elections in 1980 and replaced the Janata
Government at the Union level, President's rule was imposed on February 17, 1980 in the non-congress ruled States of Punjab,
Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
The proclamations issued by the Janata Government and the Congress Government were not based on any report from the
Government of the States.
Category (B)—President's rule when Ministry Commanded 'majority'.
(i) Punjab—(20-6-1951) The congress Parliamentary Board decided that the Chief Minister, Dr. Bhargava, should resign. The
Congress enjoyed absolute majority in the State legislature at that time. Alternate leader was not immediately elected by the Congress
party. In these circumstances, President's rule was imposed following the Chief Minister's resignation. The Assembly was kept in a
state of suspended animation.
 (ii) Kerala.—(31-7-1959) There was a mass upsurge against the State Government on various issues. The ruling party headed by
the Chief Minister, Shri E.M.S. Namboodripad, however, continued to enjoy majority support in the Assembly. President's rule was
imposed following the mass upsurge.
(iii) Punjab.—(5-7-1966) There was a split in the ruling party—some were for the partition of the State while others were totally
opposed to it. As soon as a decision for reorganising Punjab on a linguistic basis was announced, the Chief Minister Shri Ramkishan
tendered his resignation. The Governor consulted other Ministers and ex-Ministers of the Congress party to explore the possibility of
an alternative Ministry and as none were ready to form a government, President's rule was proclaimed following the Chief Minister's
resignation despite the Congress party continuing to enjoy a majority in the Assembly.
(iv) Haryana.—(21-11-1967) A week after the formation of a Congress government in Haryana on March 10, 1967, the official
Congress nominee for Speakership was defeated by Rao Birendra Singh (Congress) supported by the opposition. 12 other
Congressmen who has also voted against the official nominee resigned. This resulted in the resignation of Congress Ministry on
March 22, 1967. Rao Birendra Singh who was elected as Leader of the Haryana Samyukt Vidhayak Dal claimed 'majority' and was
sworn in as Chief Minister. There were large numbers of defections. About 20 members had defected once, 6 members twice, 2
members thrice and 2 members four times. One member of the opposition who had crossed the floor and was made a Minister,
defected back within 4 days. Thereafter, the Ministry managed to continue in power by offering constant lure of office to cope with
defections. The Government was thus all the time pre-occupied with the problem of survival which had an adverse effect on the
administration. In this circumstances, when defections had become endemic in Haryana politics, the Governor felt that defections
"Had made a mockery of the constitution and had brought democracy to ridicule."
(v) Andhra Pradesh.—(18-1-1973) Even though the Ministry enjoyed absolute majority, President's rule was proclaimed in order
to deal with the split within the party on the questions of separation of Andhra and Telangana regions of the State.
(vi) Uttar Pradesh.—(13-6-1973) Shri Kamalapati Tripathi Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, took the unusual step of tendering
resignation, even though his Ministry enjoyed an absolute majority in the State Legislature, because the disturbances arising out of
indiscipline in the PAC had affected the morale and performance of the State administration. The Chief Minister felt that the efforts of
the State Government to meet situations of drought and scarcity conditions, shortage of power and students' unrest would be hindered
because of the indiscipline in the Civil Police and PAC. In his view, direct involvement of the Union Government would help in
restoring peace and safe-guarding the security of the State. President's rule was therefore proclaimed on the recommendation of the
Governor.
(vii) Gujarat.—(9-2-1974) The anti-price-rise agitation in Gujarat turned into a mass movement with demands for removal of the
Ministry and dissolution of the Assembly. Army had to be called in at some places to deal with violence. Ultimately, the Government
had to resign despite having a 'majority'. The Chief Minister also recommended suspension of the Assembly. President's rule was
proclaimed consequent to the resignation of the Council of Ministers and the Assembly was kept suspended. The agitators also started
requesting or coercing legislators to resign. The Union Government passed the Thirty-third amendment to the Constitution
empowering the speaker or Chairman not to accept letters of resignation if he was satisfied that they were not voluntary and genuine.
On March 11, 1974 Shri Morarji Desai went on an indefinite fast demanding the dissolution of the Assembly which was conceded on
March 15, 1974.
(viii) Uttar pradesh.—(30-11-1975) Shri Bahuguna the Chief Minister resigned. The Governor's recommendation for President's
rule for a short period to give time to the Congress Legislature Party to elect a new leader was accepted.
(ix) Tamil Nadu.—(31-1-1976) President's rule was proclaimed on the basis of allegations of corrupt practices, non-
implementation of Union's instructions during 'Emergency' regarding censorship, misuse of powers under DISIR etc. despite the DMK
Ministry enjoying a majority in the Assembly.
(x) Orissa.—(16-12-1976) President's Rule was proclaimed because the Council of Ministers had lost faith in the leadership of the
Chief Minister, despite the Congress party continuing to enjoy a majority in the Assembly.
(xi) Karnataka.—(31-12-1977) The Congress Party had an absolute majority in the Assembly. In December, 1977, the President of
Karnataka Provincial Congress informed the Governor that Shri Devraj Urs, the Chief Minister, had been suspended from the
membership of the Indian National Congress and was therefore no longer the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. The Chief
Minister took the stand that he still had a majority and that it should be tested on the floor of the House. The Governor also received
memoranda from other political parties to the effect that Shri Urs had forfeited his right to continue. A joint session of both houses had
been summoned on 3-1-78. A section of the legislators was of the view that such a session would be illegal and unconstitutional and
that an address by the Governor prepared by a cabinet which had lost its majority would be unwholesome. The President of the
Karnataka Provincial Congress claimed the right to from a Government with a new leader but no efforts had been made to convene a
meeting of the legislature party to elect a new leader. In view of the special features of the situation the Governor recommended
President's rule and dissolution of the legislative assembly. President's Rule was proclaimed notwithstanding the fact that the Congress
continued to have a majority in the Assembly.
(xii) Manipur.—(14-11-1979) President's rule was imposed on grounds of corruption and demoralised administration even though
the Ministry continued to enjoy a 'majority' in the Assembly.
(xiii) Punjab.—(6-10-1983) The Chief Minister informed the Government in his letter of resignation that the developments in the
State (the Akali agitation) had acquired a very large dimension not confined to the State alone but with serious implications for the
whole country. He therefore suggested direct intervention of the Union for a temporary period even though he continued to have an
absolute majority in the assembly. This recommendation was accepted and President's rule proclaimed.
Category (C)—Proclamation of President's Rule without giving a chance to claimants.
 (i) PEPSU.—(4-3-1953) Shri Gian Singh Rarewala who headed the United Front Ministry was unseated through an election
petition. Despite his request for continuing for a period of six months before getting re-elected and a request from the United Front
party for continuing the government with another leader, President's rule was proclaimed and the Assembly was dissolved. For a long
period, after May 1952, no serious business had been transacted in the House. It met on 19th November and was adjourned on
November 25, 1952 amidst disturbances and confusion. It was reconvened on December 22, 1952, but no worthwhile business was
transacted. President's Rule was imposed in view of the instability of the Ministry, the fact that the budget session was to commence
and the possibility of further unseating of a number of members against whom election petitions were still pending. There were also
some law and order problems in the State. Dr. Ambedkar who participated in the Lok Sabha debate on the extension of this President's
rule in September, 1953, was highly critical of the Government's action.
(ii) Andhra.—(15-11-1954) After the creation of Andhra as a separate State on linguistic basis, a Government headed by Shri T.
Prakasam (Congress) was sworn in on October, 6 1953. This Government resigned on November, 6, 1954 as a result of a no-
confidence motion. The Governor, on his assessment, concluded that there was no possibility of a stable government and
recommended president's rule which was proclaimed on November 15, 1954. The opposition (PSP and Communist parties) was not
given a chance to try to form a Government.
(iii) Travancore-Cochin.—(23-3-1956) On the fall of the Ministry due to defections, the Praja Socialist Party was not given a
chance.
(iv) Kerala.—(24-3-1965) While the elections did not result in conclusive majority to any party, the largest majority party was not
given a chance to form the Government.
(v) Rajasthan.—(13-3-1977) While there was no clear majority after elections, the United Front, which claimed support for a
viable majority was not given a chance as some of the legislators who had broken away from Congress and joined Janata Party after
the elections, were not recognised as belonging to that Party. This led to an agitation and the leader of the Congress Party refused to
form a Government in the situation.
(vi) Uttar Pradesh.—(25-2-1968) Upon resignation of the Samyukta Vidhayak Dal Government, the opposition was not given an
opportunity to form a Government. In a secret vote in the Assembly, the Congress Party was able to defeat the Samyukta Vidhayak
Dal. Notwithstanding this, the opposition was not called upon to form a Government on the plea that they should have a substantial
majority for forming a viable government.

(vii) Bihar.—(4-7-1969) The ruling Government resigned on July 1, 1969 after 9 days in office. Against a background of 6
ministries and a period of President's rule during June 29, 1968 to February 28, 1969, the Governor did not recognise the claim of the
opposition (Congress) as their numerical strength included 'unpredictables'.

(viii) West Bengal.—(19-3-1970) Upon resignation of Sri Ajay Kumar Mukherjee, Shri Jyoti Basu CPI (M) asked for time to
explore possibility of forming a Ministry. Later, he refused to disclose the names of his supporters on the plea that his party had
rejected the Governor's request for revealing of such names. Meanwhile, 10 other parties had represented to the Governor against the
formation of a CPI(M) led Ministry. The Congress also declined the Governor's invitation to try a form a Ministry. Taking into
account these factors and the deteriorating law and order situation, President's rule was proclaimed. CPI(M)'s claim could have been
tested on the floor of the House.
(ix) Uttar Pradesh.—(1-10-1970) Congress was the major partner in a Congress-BKD coalition though the Chief Ministry
belonged to BKD. Upon failure of the talks of merger of the two parties, serious differences arose and the Chief Minister demanded
resignation of 14 Ministers belonging to the Congress. As he belonged to a minority party, the Governor sought the opinion of the
Attorney General in the matter. The Attorney General held that the Chief Minister did not have a constitutional right to dismiss the 14
ministers and, as he did not command the confidence of the Legislative Assembly, the Governor could call for his resignation and, if
he failed to resign, dismiss the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister insisted that he may be permitted to face the Assembly on September 30, 1970 or October 1, 1970 as he had
the requisite support from others. The Governor however took the view that the Chief Minister "cannot be permitted to construct a
new edifice on the debris of the old one." The leader of the Congress Party wrote to the Governor of the State that he would be in a
position to form a Government. However, President's rule was proclaimed.
(x) Orissa.—(23-3-1971) Following elections, while the State was under President's rule, the leader of the Congress (R)
Legislative Party (with 51 members in a House of 139) claimed a majority with support from 20 Utkal Congress and Swatantra
members in addition to 2 independents and 1 Congress(O) member. The Utkal Congress had not made any announcement supporting
Congress(R) nor had the Governor any final list from Dr. Mahatab till March 22, 1971. President's rule was proclaimed after revoking
the earlier proclamation, even though Dr. Mahatab had issued a statement that the Governor should ask him to form a Government.
(xi) Orissa.—(3-3-1973) Upon resignation of the Chief Minister on 3-3-73, during the budget session because of defections
resulting in loss of majority, the Governor did not give and opportunity to the leader of the Orissa Pragati Legislature Party who
claimed the support of 72 out of 139 members. In his view, a combination of differing political ideologies would not be able to form a
stable government.
(xii) Kerala.—(5-12-1979) In November, 1979 the Kerala Congress (Mani Group) withdrew their support to the Mohammad Koya
coalition Ministry. This was followed by the Janata Party withdrawing its support. On November 28, 1979, the Chief Minister
suggested dissolution of the State Assembly to the Governor in the interest of a stable Government even though he still had a majority.
The opposition claimed a majority to enable formation of a Government and opposed dissolution of the Assembly, even though,
earlier, they had suggested such a course of action. After discussions with leaders of various political parties, the Governor concluded
that even if the left Democratic Front was allowed to form a Government it was unlikely to be stable. In the circumstances, President's
Rule was proclaimed.
 (xiii) Manipur.—(28-2-1981) Upon resignation of the Ministry due to defections, the Governor did not consider a People's
Democratic Front claim with a slender majority, in view of the background of 8 years of political instability in a situation of insurgent
activity.
(xiv) Assam. (30-6-1981) Upon resignation of the Ministry headed by Smt. Syeda Anwara Taimur, the opposition staked their
claim for forming a government with their combined strength and support of other groups. The Communist Party of India and
Socialist Unity Centre did not support the formation of any Ministry. Some Political parties appear to have been in favour of
President's rule without dissolving the Assembly. The large number of defections amongst the members of the Assembly since 1878
elections reflected the extent of political instability. Considering the changes in party loyalties and the multiplicity of parties when no
party had adequate majority to ensure a stable ministry with a coherent policy, the Governor recommended President's rule which was
proclaimed on 30-6-1981.
(xv) Jammu and Kashmir.—(7-9-1986) As the Congress (I) Legislators of the State withdrew their support, the government of Shri
G. M. Shah lost its majority in the Assembly. As no Alternative government was feasible, Governor's rule was proclaimed under
Section 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution on March, 7, 1986. Under Section 92, the proclamation was operative only upto
September 6, 1986 and not beyond that date. Early in September 1986, the Governor reported to the President that the security of the
State was under threat and that the composition and strength of the political parties and groups in the Legislative Assembly were such
that political instability continued. On the basis of this report, President's rule was proclaimed on September 7, 1986.

Category (D)—Cases where no caretaker Ministry was constituted.

(i & ii) Bihar.—(9-1-1972 & 9-3-1972) The Chief Minister though claiming a majority resigned 3 days before the Assembly
session which was to consider a no-confidence motion, because of ill-effects of the Government being formed at short intervals which
has an impact on the activities of the States Governments. The State policies could not remain valid for long. This situation during a
state of 'Emergency' was considered unsatisfactory. Bihar had remained under President's rule for 529 days during the period 1968-72.
No attempt was made to keep a caretaker Government in position pending elections.
(iii) Sikkim.—(18-8-1979) The Chief Minister resigned because the life of the Assembly would have expired after 4 years but for
the 42nd Amendment which extended its life by one more year. 44th The Amendment restored the original position but the relevant
provision was not brought into force in respect of Sikkim. Therefore the Chief Minister could have continued. In any case, perhaps the
proper course would have been to continue a caretaker government and have elections.

Category (E)—President's rule proclaimed in the context of Reorganisation of States.

(i) Kerala.—(1-11-56) When the new State of Kerala was created by uniting parts of Travancore-Cochin and Madras, Travancore-
Cochin was already under President's rule. A fresh proclamation was issued on November 1, 1956 to continue the President's rule with
reference to the new State, till the legislature was formed.
(ii) Manipur.—(21-1-72) It was already under direct administration of the President by virtue of his order dated October 16, 1969
under Section 51 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, when it was made into a full-fledged State on January 21, 1972
by the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act 1971. A fresh proclamation was issued under Article 356 on that date for
continuance of President's rule till a new legislature was formed.
(iii) Tripura.—(21-1-72) It was under direct administration of the President by virtue of an order dated November 1, 1971 under
Section 51 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, when it was made a full-fledged State with effect from January 21,
1972 by the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971. A proclamation under Article 356 was issued on that date pending
completion of general elections and formation of a legislature in the State.

Category (F).—President's rule inevitable.

In the following cases, it appears that there was no alternative to President's rule:—
(i) Orissa.—(25-2-1961) No one came forward to form an alternative ministry upon resignation of the Ministry during budget
session.
(ii) Kerala.—(10-9-64) On September 8, 1964 a no-confidence motion was passed against the Congress Ministry headed by R.
Sankar. Other political parties expressed their inability to form a Ministry either singly or jointly.
(iii) West Bengal.—(20-2-68) The Speaker created a deadlock and prevented the Legislative Assembly from functioning. The
Strength of the Ministry could not be tested.
(iv) Bihar.—(29-6-68) In the background of failure of 3 successive ministries, the Governor did not agree to give 4 days to Mahesh
Prasad Sinha (Leader of the Congress which was numerically the largest group) to form a Ministry as the Appropriation Bill had to be
passed before June 30, 1968.
(v) Punjab.—(23-8-1968) Upon break up of the People's United Front coalition Ministry, Sardar Lachman Singh Gill formed a
Ministry on November 25, 1967 with the support of some defections from the Akali Dal and a few independents. The Congress
Legislature Party which initially supported the Gill Ministry split into ministerialist and anti-ministerialist factions. In this situation
Shri Gill as well as the leaders of the People's United Front and the Congress Legislature Party advised the Governor to recommend
President's Rule. As no single party or combination of parties could provide a stable Government, President's rule was proclaimed.
(vi) Kerala.—(4-8-1970) On the recommendation of the Chief Minister of the coalition, Government, the Governor dissolved the
Legislative Assembly on June, 1970. The Chief Minister Achuta Menon continued as head of a caretaker government till Auguest 1,
1970 when he resigned, President's Rule was, thereofore, proclaimed.
 (vii) Orissa.—(11-1-1971) On the break up of the Singh Deo coalition Ministry, the Chief Minister declined to continue as head of
a caretaker government, unless his conditions for dissolution of the Assembly and a commitment to mid-term poll were accepted. As
the Governor was yet to explore possibilities of an alternative government, the conditions could not be accepted and President's Rule
was imposed.
(viii) Orissa.—(23-1-1971) On January 20, 1971 the Governor reported that no party had come up with any concrete proposal with
demonstrable majority. The earlier proclamation was revoked and a fresh proclamation was issued on January 23, 1971 dissolving the
Legislative Assembly.
(ix) Mysore.—(27-3-71) Upon the resignation of the government, the Governor could not accept the Samyukta Socialist Party's
claim to prove the majority in a 'day or two' because the budget had to be passed before April 1, 1971.
(x) Gujarat—(13-5-71) The Chief Minister resigned due to defection. The State Legislative Assembly had passed an appropriation
Bill for 4 months. In view of the fluid situation and the need for passing the budget before July 31, 1971 and difficulties in holding
elections before that date President's rule was imposed.
(xi) Punjab—(15-6-71) The withdrawal of support by Jana Sangh to the Badal Minister led to instability. It however, survived a
no confidence montion in July 1970, but its strength was adversely aftected by further defections when one of its Ministers resigned
and demanded enquiry into charges of corruption against some Ministers. The Chief Minister alleged that the Congress (R) was trying
to encourage defections. he recommended dissolution of the assembly which was accepted by the Governor. The Government had
obtained a vote on account for only 3 months upto June, 71 and the budget was yet to be passed. This situation necessitated
proclamation of President's rule.
(xii) West Bengal—(29-6-71) The Chief Minister resigned following the fluid situation due to split in Bangala Congress. The
budget had to be passed by the end of June and there was also an abnormal situation due to influx of refugees from Bangaladesh.
President's rule was imposed in these circumstances.
(xiii) Manipur—(28-3-73) Upon the resignation of the Government on a motion of no-confidence, the Governor did not invite the
opposition which had a claim to a tenuous majority because the budget had to be passed before March 31, 1973. Therefore, President's
rule was proclaimed.
(xiv) Nagaland—(22-3-75) Upon the fall of the Jasokie Minister (NNO) due to defections, the United Democratic Front claimed a
majority. It was contended that this claim was not valied, because 10 members of the Naga National Organisation were held under
duress, while actually they were said to be present in the House and had informed the Speaker of their joining the United Democratic
Front. The Speaker adjourned the House on March 20, 1975 after heated discussions. The fall of Jaokie Ministry had been preceded by
frequent defection. The budget had to be passed. In these circumstances President's rule was imposed which however lasted for more
than 2 years.
(xv) Gujarat—(12-3-76) Upto the defeat of the Ministry in the vote for grants of one of the departments's President's rule was
proclaimed in view of the urgency of passing the budget.
(xvi) Manipur—(16-5-77) 26 Congress legislators defected and joined the Janata Party. As a result, the Government, having only a
minority support in the legislatutre, resigned on May 13, 1977. No other party was prepared to form a Government. President's rule
was imposed but the Legislative Assembly was kept suspended even though the Chief Minister had recommended its dissolution.
(xvii) Tripura—(5-11-77) The Janata—CPI(M) Coalition Government broke down when the latter withdraw support on October
26, 1977. Leaders of CPI(M), Congress, CFD and the CPI were opposed to a Janata Caretaker Government. President's rule was,
therefore, proclaimed.
(xviii) Assam—(12-12-79) The Asom Janata Vidhayani Dal Coalition Government lost support when Congress (U) and the CPI
group withdrew their support. The leaders of CPM, the RCPI, the PTCA and the Janata (S) were in favour of a short period of
President's rule Shri Hazarijka, the Chief Minister' who was no longer the leader of the Asom Janata Vidhayani Dal, was unwilling to
resign. President's rule was therefore, imposed.
(xix) Kerala—(21-10-81) The Nayanar Coalition Ministry resigned on October 20, 1981 after two of the constituents—Congress
(S) and the Kerala Congres (Mani Group) withdrew their support. As not viable alternative Ministry could be formed, President's rule
was imposed.
(xx) Kerala—(17-3-82) The UDF Ministry resigned on March 17, 1982 when it lost majority with the withdrawal of support by
the Kerala Congress (Mani Group). As there was no possibility of forming an alternate viable Ministry, the Governor dissolved the
Assembly and recommended President's rule.
(xxi) Assam—(19-3-82) The Gogoi Ministry resigned on March 18, 1982. With a history of large scale defections during the post 4
years when 4 Ministries had changed, the, Governor did not consider stable Ministry feasible. President's rule was, therefore,
proclaimed.
(xxii) Sikkim—(25-5-84) The majority of the Gurng Ministry felling jeopardy with "frequent shift in loyalties of the legislators due
to various tactics including intimidation, kidnapping, blackmail and monetary inducements'. Attempts to form an alternative
Government were considered futile, The life of the Assembly was also to expire in a few months. President's rule was therefore,
proclaimed.
(xxiii) Punjab—(11-5-87) The Akali Dal (L) Ministry was unable to combat the fundamentalist movement and the terrorist and
the extremist forces within the State. As a result murders, lootings and other acts of lawlessness had sharply increased leading to
total chaos and anarchy, particularly in the rural areas. The Ministry found itself helpless in the matter of restoring even a
semblance of order anywhere. According to the Governor's report, the situation was further aggrevated by the fact that some of
the Ministers were deeply involved with terrorists and extremists.