The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Party Government. Why was it appointed and what were its findings?
The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Party Government to investigate the implementation of Emergency rule and examine how it was enforced through the police and administration.
According to the Shah Commission Report, the administration and police became vulnerable to political pressures during the Emergency. These institutions could not function independently and were turned into political instruments of the ruling party. The Commission found that the actual implementation of Emergency rule took place through these institutions, which lost their autonomy.
Explanation
The question asks about the Shah Commission's purpose and findings. From the context, we learn that the Commission was appointed by the Janata Party government after the 1977 elections. The context explicitly states the findings: 'according to the Shah Commission Report, the administration and the police became vulnerable to political pressures' and that 'These institutions could not function independently. They were turned into political instruments of the ruling party.' The answer is derived directly from these statements in the textbook context.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify why the Commission was appointed - to investigate Emergency implementation
Step 2: Extract findings from context - administration and police became vulnerable to political pressures
Step 3: Note that institutions were turned into political instruments of the ruling party