The essentials
The early 1970s were a time of economic difficulty. The costs of the 1971 war and of looking after refugees, the stopping of US aid, the sharp rise in world oil prices in 1973, and the failure of the monsoon in 1972–73 led to high inflation, food shortages and unemployment. Industrial growth was low. Discontent grew, especially among students and the urban middle class.
Gujarat (Navnirman Andolan): in January 1974 students in Gujarat began protests against rising prices of food grains, cooking oil and other essentials, and against corruption in high places. Major opposition parties joined, and President's rule was imposed in the state. Opposition leader Morarji Desai went on an indefinite fast demanding fresh elections. Assembly elections were held in June 1975, and the Congress was defeated.
Bihar movement: in March 1974 students in Bihar launched a protest against rising prices, food scarcity, unemployment and corruption. They invited Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) to lead the movement. He accepted on the condition that it would remain non-violent and not be confined to Bihar. JP called for “Total Revolution” (Sampoorna Kranti) to establish what he saw as true democracy, and demanded the dismissal of the Bihar government.
Key points
- In 1975 JP led a large march to Parliament in Delhi, one of the largest political rallies held in the capital till then.
- The movement was supported by non-Congress parties such as the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Congress (O), the Bharatiya Lok Dal and the Socialist Party.
- In May 1974 a nationwide railway strike led by George Fernandes demanded better pay and service conditions; the government declared it illegal.
- In this period the Naxalite movement, which began in Naxalbari in West Bengal in 1967, also challenged the state through armed struggle.
Exam tips
- Link Gujarat to the Navnirman Andolan and Bihar to JP and Total Revolution.
- Be able to list the economic causes of discontent in the early 1970s.
Common mistakes
- Thinking JP led the Gujarat movement; he led the Bihar movement.
- Confusing the railway strike leader (George Fernandes) with JP.