A national emergency is a situation of crisis or urgent circumstances that is beyond the control of the government and requires immediate action. It is usually declared when the country is facing a significant threat such as war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. The Indian Constitution, under Article 352, empowers the President to declare a national emergency when there is a grave threat to the security of India or any part of it due to these reasons.
Originally, the Constitution used the term 'internal disturbance' to denote a situation that could prompt a national emergency. However, this was replaced by the phrase 'armed rebellion' after the 44th Amendment Act of 1978. This change was made to prevent the misuse of power by the central government and ensure that a national emergency is declared only in cases of serious threats to national security.
For additional information on similar topics, please refer to the following resources:
- Understanding Article 356 – President’s Rule
- The Impact of the 42nd Amendment on the Indian Constitution
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