Explanations:The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution was a landmark piece of legislation that brought about significant changes to the Constitution. It was passed in 1976 during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The amendment was introduced in the backdrop of the Emergency period in India, which lasted from 1975 to 1977. The Emergency was a period of political turmoil and the suspension of civil liberties, and the 42nd Amendment was seen as a way to consolidate the government's power and make certain changes to the Constitution that were deemed necessary at the time.
The 42nd Amendment made several important changes to the Constitution. It extended the term of the Lok Sabha from five to six years, and it also made changes to the fundamental rights and the federal structure of India. The amendment introduced the concept of "national emergency" and allowed the government to suspend certain fundamental rights during such emergencies. It also made changes to the distribution of powers between the central and state governments, giving more power to the central government.
Understanding the context of the 42nd Amendment is crucial for comprehending the political and constitutional landscape of India during the 1970s. The Emergency period and the subsequent amendment were significant events that shaped the political and legal framework of the country. Indira Gandhi, as the Prime Minister at the time, played a pivotal role in the passage of this amendment, which is why she is correctly identified as the Prime Minister during this period.
It is important to note that the 42nd Amendment was later partially repealed by the 44th Amendment in 1978, which restored some of the fundamental rights that were curtailed during the Emergency. However, the 42nd Amendment remains a significant part of India's constitutional history and is often discussed in the context of the Emergency and the balance of power between the central and state governments.