Suspension of provisions of article 19 during emergencies
Article 358 — Suspension of provisions of article 19 during emergencies
(1)] 3[While a Proclamation of Emergency declaring that the security of India or any part of the territory thereof is threatened by war or by external aggression is in operation], nothing in article 19 shall restrict the power of the State as defined in Part III to make any law or to take any executive action which the State would but for the provisions contained in that Part be competent to make or to take, but any law so made shall, to the extent of the incompetency, cease to have effect as soon as the Proclamation ceases to operate, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before the law so ceases to have effect: Provided that where such Proclamation of Emergency is in operation only in any part of the territory of India, any such law may be made, or any such executive action may be taken, under this article in relation to or in any State or Union territory in which or in any part of which the Proclamation of Emergency is not in operation, if and in so far as the security of India or any part of the territory thereof is threatened by activities in or in relation to the part of the territory of India in which the Proclamation of Emergency is in operation.] (2) Nothing in clause (1) shall apply—
- (a) to any law which does not contain a recital to the effect that such law is in relation to the Proclamation of Emergency in operation when it is made; or
- (b) to any executive action taken otherwise than under a law containing such a recital.]
Plain English Summary
During a declared Emergency, the government gains extra power to make laws or take actions that it normally wouldn't be able to do under Article 19 (which protects fundamental freedoms). However, these special laws only remain valid as long as the Emergency is in effect.
Key Points
- Suspension of Article 19: During an Emergency, restrictions on fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 can be temporarily lifted for the State's security needs.
- Temporary Validity: Any law made under this provision only stays in force as long as the Proclamation of Emergency is active.
- Recital Requirement: A law must clearly state that it is made in relation to the Emergency for the suspension to apply.
Why It Matters
This article allows the government to quickly implement necessary measures to protect national security during times of crisis, overriding normal legal restrictions temporarily.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.