refugees streamed to India which had to feed and house them. Meanwhile, a liberation movement started in Bangladesh and India was asked to assist in it. In 1971, a war broke out between India and Pakistan and India decisively intervened to ensure the liberation of Bangladesh and its establishment as an independent country. India was able to do this not only because it had built up its military strength but also because it skillfully used its non-aligned position between the two super powers to ensure that they did not intervene in the war.

Indira Gandhi charted a new path for the Congress and herself by introducing new policies and programmes. This policy also helped her get control over the party organisation.

Until 1971, the elections to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly were held simultaneously in most States. Indira Gandhi broke this pattern, by calling for early elections in 1971 rather than 1972. The Congress went to elections using popular slogan “Garibi Hatao”. It also promised radical restructuring of the system to benefit the poor and marginalised. The Congress won with a record margin and this raised the popularity of Indira Gandhi. The opposition was decimated, her critics were silenced and she became the darling of the masses. Soon after, there was the war with Pakistan and India’s victory further raised the popularity of Indira Gandhi. In the legislative assembly elections held subsequently in 1972, the Congress did well and was riding on the popularity wave of Indira Gandhi. She now had control over both the party as well as the parliament.

Among the important legislations that were passed during this period apparently to achieve the goal of social and economic transformation were the nationalisation of many private banks and abolishing of princely pensions. Both these legislations were challenged in the Courts and this, in a way, made the Court appear as if it was coming in the way of the political goals.

The judiciary, however, had other ideas regarding the policies and programmes. The Supreme Court was afraid that the Constitution was being amended rapidly in the name of achieving social and