B-2 Ch-8 Regional aspirations

CBSE Class 12 Political Science

(Politics in India since Independence)
NCERT Solutions
Chapter-8 Regional Aspirations

Q 1. Match the following:

A. Nature of Regional aspirations.	B. States
(a) Socio-religious identify leading to statehood	(i) Nagaland/ Mizoram
(b) Linguistic identity and tensions with Centre	(ii) Jharkhand/ Chattisgarh
(c) Regional imbalance leading to demand for Statehood.	(iii) Punjab
(d) Secessionist demands on account of tribal identity	(iv) Tamil Nadu.

Ans.

Socio religious identify leading to statehood -(iii) Punjab.
Linguistic identity and tensions with Centre -(iv) Tamil Nadu.
Regional imbalance leading to demand for Statehood -(ii) Jharkhand/ Chattisgarh.
Secessionist demands on account of tribal identity -(i) Nagaland/ Mizoram.

Q 2. Regional aspirations of the people of North-East get expressed in different ways. These include movements against outsiders, movement for greater autonomy and movement for separate national existence. On the map of the North-East, using different shades for these three, show the States where these expressions are prominently found.
Ans. Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Q 3. What were the main provisions of the Punjab accord? In what way can they be the basis for further tensions between Punjab and its neighbouring States?

Ans. Punjab Accord was an agreement signed between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, the then President of Akali Dal in July 1985 to be known as ' Rajiv Gandhi Longowal Accord' also create normalcy in Punjab.

The main provisions of the Punjab accord were:

Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
To appoint a separate commission to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
To set up a tribunal settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
To provide an agreement for compensation to and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.
To withdraw the Armed Forces Special powers Act in Punjab.

But, peace could not be established easily in Punjab a resulted as follows:

Militancy and counter insurgency violence led to excesses by the police and violations of human rights.
Politically, it led to the fragmentation of the Akali Dal.
President’s rule was imposed and the normal electoral process was suspended.
Hence, the Political process could not be restored in the atmosphere. Even during elections in 1992, only 24 per cent of the electors tuned out to vote. Consequently above mentioned added to the tension between Punjab and its neighbouring states.

Q 4. Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?

Ans. Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at the conference of Akali Dal at Anandpur Sahib in 1973:

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine the centre-state relationship in the country.
The resolution also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation).
Sikhs aspirations aimed at bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs.
The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation.

However, it became controversial because:

Due to the lack of popularity of Akali Dal resolution had a United appeal.
Akali government was dismissed in the 1980s it lost its importance.
The Akali Dal launched a movement on the question of the distribution of water between Punjab and its neighbouring States.
A section of the religious leaders raised the question of autonomous Sikh identity.
The more extreme elements started advocating secession from India and the creation of ‘Khalistan’.
So, the movement went into the hands of extremist elements from moderate Akalis and converted into an armed insurgency for which Anandpur Sahib Resolution considered responsible.

Q 5. Explain the internal divisions of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and describe how these lead to multiple regional aspirations in that State.

Ans. The internal divisions of the State of Jammu and Kashmir comprise three social and political regions: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Kashmir region is the Kashmir valley consisting of Kashmiri speaking and mostly Muslim with a small Kashmiri speaking Hindu minority.
Jammu region consists of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs and speakers of various languages, in the areas of foothills and plains.
Ladakh region is equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims and maintains a little population area.

These internal divisions led to multiple regional aspirations as below:

Internally, there is a dispute about the status of Kashmir within the Indian union. Kashmir was given a special status by Article 370 in our Constitution giving greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir compared to the other States of India.

This section feels that Article 370 should, therefore, be revoked and J&K should be like any other State in India.
Another section, mostly Kashmiris, believe that the autonomy conferred by Article 370 is not enough.
A section of Kashmiris has expressed at least three major grievances.

First, the promise that Accession would be referred to the people of the State after the situation created by tribal invasion was normalised, has not been fulfilled. This has generated the demand for a ‘plebiscite’.
Secondly, there is a feeling that the special federal status guaranteed by Article 370, has been eroded in practice. This has led to the demand for restoration of autonomy or ‘Greater State Autonomy’.
Thirdly, it is felt that democracy which is practised in the rest of India has not been similarly institutionalised in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

In the present scenario, most of the separatist in the dialogue is trying to re-negotiate a relationship of the state with India.

Q 6. What are the various positions on the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir? Which of these do you think are justifiable? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. On the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir, the following positions are states as:

Kashmiris were promised to make accession on the reference of people after a situation created by tribal invasion, becomes normal. But it has not been fulfilled, hence, it generated the demand for “Plebiscite”.
Sometimes, it was felt that special federal status guaranteed by Article 370 has been eroded practically which led the demand for restoration of autonomy or “Greater State Autonomy”.
It is felt that democracy, which is practised in the rest of India has not been similarly institutionalised in Jammu and Kashmir. We prefer the first position because "Plebiscite" seems to be justifiable because it provides a better opportunity to people of Jammu and Kashmir to protect themselves and sustain their regional autonomy in a very democratic manner.

Q 7. The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. Explain.

Ans. The Assam movement was a combination of cultural and economic backwardness because:

The Assam Movement from 1979 to 1985 is the best example of movements against ‘outsiders’.
The Assamese suspected that there were huge numbers of illegal Bengali Muslim settlers from Bangladesh.
It was against outsiders to maintain cultural integration of Assam.
There were widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam, despite the existence of natural resources like oil, tea and coal.
It was felt that these were drained out of the State without any commensurate benefit to the people.

Q 8. All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands. Explain by giving examples from this chapter.

Ans. All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands becasue:

Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics.
Expression of regional issues is not an abnormal phenomenon.
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland have regional aspirations in the United Kingdom.
Regional movements are responded through democratic negotiations rather than suppression.
Its examples are in the eighties, military erupted in Punjab, problems persisted in the North-East, students agitated in Assam and Kashmir valley was on the boil.
The government of India settled down some negotiations with these regional aspirations to reduce tensions in many regions.
Mizoram is an example of a political settlement to resolve the problem of separation effectively.

Q 9. Regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle of unity with diversity. Do you agree? Give reasons.

Ans. Yes, we agree with the statement because India adopted a democratic approach on these regional aspirations in place of considering them as anti-national:

India's democratic politics allows people and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration, and specific regional problems.
The Government of India reached negotiated settlement with regional movements to reduce tensions in many regions.
Mizoram is an example of a political settlement to resolve the problem of separation effectively.
India’s democratic politics allows people and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration, and specific regional problems.
India’s democratic politics focus on regional issues and problems to receive adequate attention and accommodation in the policy making process, i.e. regional aspirations of Assam, Punjab and North-East, Kashmir etc.
Its examples are in the eighties, military erupted in Punjab, problems persisted in the North-East, students agitated in Assam and Kashmir valley was on the boil.

It can be concluded that regional aspirations do not encourage separation but these respect diversity to retain unity in the nation.

Q 10. Read the passage and answer the questions below:

One of Hazarika’s songs........ dwells on the unity theme; the seven states of north-eastern India become seven sisters born of the same mother.......... ‘Meghalaya went own way ...., Arunachal too separated and Mizoram appeared in Assam’s gateway as a groom to marry another daughter.’ The song ends with a determination to keep the unity of the Assamese with other smaller nationalities that are Ieft in the present-day Assam- The Karbis and the Missing brothers and sisters are our dear ones.’—Sanjib Baruah

Which unity is the poet talking about?
Why were some States of North- East created separately out of the erstwhile State of Assam?
Do you think that the same theme of unity could apply to all the regions of India? Why?

Ans.

The poet is talking about the Unity of Assamese.
Some states of North East created separately out of the erstwhile state of Assam because these states face that Assamese government was imposing the Assamese language on them. Hence, regional aspirations began.
Yes, the same theme of unity could apply to all regions of India, because the Indian government deals with all these regional aspirations with re-unity are India's strength aspect to accommodate regional diversities. Unity in Diversity is the important feature of India.

B-2 Ch-8 Regional aspirations - Solutions