Supreme Court’s Reaction: The Supreme Court expressed surprise at a petition requesting the implementation of Article 355 in West Bengal, related to violence during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad district.
Purpose of Article 355: It empowers the central government to safeguard states from internal disturbances and external aggression.
Scope of Power: Allows the Centre to intervene in a state’s law and order without dissolving the government, a less drastic measure than President’s Rule.
Constitutional Duty: Article 355 mandates the Union to protect states from external aggression and internal unrest, ensuring governance aligns with the Constitution.
Emergency Provisions: Article 355 is included in Part XVIII of the Constitution, which deals with emergency provisions (Articles 352-360).
