Proclamation of Emergency
Proclamation of Emergency
Proclamation of Emergency
Article 352
Reference Books:
1. V.N. Shukla’s Constitution of India
2. Constitutional Law-I, Udai Raj Rai
Article 352
• In the background of internal emergency
1975-1977 44th Amendment of the
Constitution introduced several changes in
Article 352 in 1979
Conditions
• If the President is satisfied that
• a grave emergency exists whereby
• the security of India is threatened
• whether by
– War or
– external aggression or
– Armed rebellion
• He may by proclamation make a declaration to
that effect
War etc.
• A war would exist in India if a violent struggle against a
foreign power takes place through the use of armed
forces
• The words external aggression cover act which did not
amount to actual war or were less than war
• Armed rebellion was introduced by the 44th
Amendment replacing the original expression “internal
disturbances”.
– It is likely to pose a threat to the security of the country or
a part thereof, while ‘internal disturbance’, though serious
in nature, would not pose a threat to the security of the
country or a part thereof
Satisfaction of the President
• The President may issue a proclamation of
emergency not only after the actual occurrence
of the events specified in Article 352 but also
before such occurrence if, as provided in the
Explanation to Article 352 (1), he is satisfied of an
imminent danger of its occurrence
• A proclamation of emergency is generally notified
by publication in the Official Gazette. But such
publication is not obligatory either for bringing
into effect or for the operation and continuance
of the proclamation
Duration
• A proclamation of emergency may be revoked at any time
by a subsequent proclamation
• Emergency must not be continued for any period beyond
what is absolutely necessary
• Such a proclamation shall be laid before both Houses of
Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of
one month unless, before the expiration of that period, it
has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of
Parliament
• When a proclamation is laid before a House, it may-
– Approve the proclamation by passing a resolution; or
– Take no action
– Reject or disapprove it
…Duration
• Approve the proclamation by passing a resolution
– The proclamation shall remain in force for six months from
the date of such resolution and
– may be extended by passing similar resolutions at the
expiry of every six months,
– till it is revoked by the President either of his own or on a
resolution of the House of the People disapproving the
proclamation
…Duration
• Take no action
– Neither House takes any action or only one House approves the
proclamation, it still cease to operate at the expiration of one month
– Notably the proclamation must be approved by both Houses of
Parliament with a majority of total number of members in each House
as well as two thirds of the members present and voting
– If any such proclamation is issued at a time when the House of the
People has been dissolved, or if the dissolution of the House of the
People takes place during the period of one month referred to above,
• and the proclamation has not been approved by a resolution passed by the
House of the People before the expiration of the period,
• the proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of 30 days from the
date on which the House of the People first sits after its, reconstitution,
• unless before that period resolutions approving the proclamation have been
passed by both Houses of Parliament
…Duration
• Reject or disapprove it
– During the emergency Parliament continues to function and
exercise its control over the actions of the CoMs
– It may be argued that the President may continue the period of
emergency by issuing fresh proclamation every one month and
thus bypass Parliament for its approval of the proclamation
– But such a situation will bring the President in conflict with
Parliament and in such an event either a vote of no-confidence
may be passed by Parliament and CoMs may be thrown out of
office, or
– The President may be impeached in Parliament and thrown out
of office
– The House of the People can disapprove a proclamation and on
such disapproval, the President is bound to revoke it
Consequences
1. The executive authority of the Union extends
to the giving of directions to any State as to
the manner in which the executive power
vested in it is to be exercised
2. The legislative power of the Parliament is
enlarged it can make laws for a State or any
part thereof with respect to the matters
enumerated in the State List
…Consequences