Manipur BJP leaders have the doubt whether there is Article 355 in state

Subject: Polity

Section: Federalism

Context: Manipur BJP leaders have the doubt whether there is Art 355 in state

More about the news:

The Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, faced public outrage as mobs tried to storm his residence.
Senior Manipur BJP members wrote to the national BJP president, expressing concern over public anger and the government’s perceived failure and called for the revocation of Article 355 and restoration of Unified Command control to regain public trust.
Despite denials by the Union government, the situation hints at external interference in the state’s affairs, exacerbating the divide between the valley and hill districts.
The opposition and civil society organizations also question the state government’s efficacy.

What is Article 355:

It is a part of emergency provisions contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution of India, from Article 352 to 360.
It empowers the central government to take all necessary steps to protect a state against internal disturbances and external aggression.
This article empowers the Centre to take necessary steps to protect a state from any kind of threat, be it internal or external.
The provision is designed to ensure that the government can act swiftly and decisively in the event of any disturbance or threat to the peace and security of the country.
The exact definition of Article 355 is “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”
Article 355, as it currently exists, was not in the 1948 draft constitution, and was only added in September 1949 as draft Article 277A.
It was inserted with the objective of providing a legitimate ground for the application of Article 356 of the constitution, which allows the Union government to issue a proclamation of President’s Rule in a specific state.

What is the difference between Article 356 and Article 355

Article 356 empowers the President to impose President’s Rule in a state in case of a failure or breakdown of constitutional machinery, while Article 355 empowers the Union government to protect every state in India against external aggression and internal disturbances and issue directions to any state to ensure compliance with the Union’s laws and regulations.