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NCERT Class 12 Political Science Chapter 15 Regional Aspirations
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Regional Aspirations
Chapter: 15
POLITICAL SCIENCE
PART – II: CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING
TEXTBOOK QUESTION ANSWER
Q. 1. Match the following:
| ‘A’ Nature of regional aspirations | ‘B’ States |
| (a) Socio-religious identity 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.
| ‘A’ Nature of regional aspirations | ‘B’ States |
| (a) Socio-religious identity leading to statehood | (iii) Punjab |
| (b) Linguistic identity and tensions with Centre | (iv) Tamil Nadu |
| (c) Regional imbalance leading to demand for statehood | (ii) Jharkhand/ Chattisgarh |
| (d) 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 movement against outsiders, movement for greater autonomy and move- ment 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.
Q. 3. What were the main provisions of the Punjab accord? In what way can they be the basis for further tensions between the Punjab and its neighbouring states?
Ans. After coming to power following the general election in 1984, the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi initiated a dialogue with moderate Akali leaders. In July 1985, he reached an agreement with Saint Harchand Singh Longowal, the then president of the Akali Dal. This agreement, known as the Rajiv Gandhi- Longowal Accord or the Punjab Accord, was a step towards bringing normalcy to Punjab.
Provisions of Punjab Accord:
(i) It was agreed that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
(ii) Separate Commission would be appointed to resolve the border dispute between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
(iii) The agreement also provided for compensation to and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.
(iv) The withdrawal of the application of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab.
Peace position after Accord:
(i) Peace did not come easily or immediately. The cycle of violence continued nearly for a decade.
(ii) Militancy and counter insurgency violence led to excesses by the police and violations of human rights.
(iii) Politically it led to fragmentations of the Akali Dal. The central government had to impose President’s rule in the State and the normal electoral and political process was suspended.
(iv) In fact, it was not easy to restore the political process in the atmosphere of suspicion and violence. When elections were held in Punjab in 1992, only 24 percent of the electors turned out to vote.
(v) Militancy was eventually eradicated by the security forces. But the losses incurred by the people of Punjab-Sikhs and Hindus alike were enormous.
Q. 4. Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?
Ans. There are many reasons to be controversial of Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
Some of them are as follows:
1. It was in this context that during the 1970s a section of Akalis began to demand political autonomy for the region. This was reflected in a resolution passed at their conference at Anandpur Sahib in 1973.
2. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine centre-state relationship in the country.
3. The Resolution also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation) and declared its goal as attaining the bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs.
4. The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation.
5. The Resolution had a limited appeal among the Sikh masses. A few years later, after the Akali Government had been dismissed in 1980, the Akali Dal launched a movement on the question of the distribution of water between Punjab and its neighbouring states.
6. 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’.
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 Jammu and Kashmir are:
(i) Jammu.
(ii) Kashmir Valley. and
(iii) Ladakh.
Separatist politics which surfaced in Kashmir from 1989 has taken different forms and is made up of various strands. There is one strand of separatists who want a separate Kashmiri nation, independent of India and Pakistan. Then there are groups that want Kashmir to merge with Pakistan.
Besides these, there is a third strand which wants greater autonomy for the people of the state within the Indian Union.
The idea of autonomy attracts the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions in a different way. They often complain of neglect and backwardness. Therefore the demand for intra-state autonomy is as strong as the demand for the state autonomy.
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the living examples of plural society and politics. Not only are there diversities of all kind (religious, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, tribal) but there are also divergent political aspirations.
Despite all these diversities and divergence on the one hand, and the continued situation of conflict on the other, the plural and secular culture of the state has remained largely intact.
The initial period of popular support to militancy has now given way to the urge for peace. The Centre has started negotiations with various separatist groups. Instead of demanding a separate nation, most of the separatists in dialogue are 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. The various positions on the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir are as given below:
(i) There is a section of people outside of J & K that believes that the special status of the State conferred by Article 370 does not allow full integration of the State with India. This section feels that Article 370 should, therefore, be revoked and J & K should be like any other State in India.
(ii) The second section, mostly Kashmir is believe that the autonomy conferred by Article 370 is not enough.
(iii) Another section of Kashmiris has put forward following three grievances:
(a) The promise that Accession would be referred to the people of the State after the situation created by the tribal invasion was normalised has not been fulfilled. They argue that ‘plebiscite’ should be held.
(b) It is argued that the federal status guaranteed by Article 370 has been eroded in practice. They want restoration of autonomy or ‘Greater State Autonomy’.
(c) The third grievance is that democracy which is practiced in the rest of India has not been similarly institutionalised in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
(d) I agree with the demand that as the Article 370 does not allow full integration of the State with India, it should be revoked. Kashmir is an integral part of India and many free and fair elections have been conducted in the State. Thus, it should be like any other State in India. People from all over India should be allowed settle there and have right to property.
Q. 7. The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. Explain.
Or
‘Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backward-ness.’ Do you agree with this statement? Substantiate your answers with any three arguments.
Ans. Yes. It is fact that the Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. It may be proved with the points given below:
1. The movement demanded that all outsiders who had entered the State after 1951 should be sent back. The agitation followed many novel methods and mobilised all sections of Assamese people, drawing support across the state. It also involved many tragic and violent incidents leading to loss of property and human lives. The movement also tried to blockade the movement of trains and the supply of oil from Assam to refineries in Bihar.
2. The Assam movement from 1979 to 1985 is the best example of such movements against ‘outsiders’. The Assamese suspected that there were huge numbers of illegal Bengali Muslim settlers from Bangladesh.
3. They felt that unless these foreign nationals are detected and deported they would reduce the indigenous Assamese into a minority.
4. There were other economic issues too. There was 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.
5. In 1979 the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), a students’ group not affiliated to any party, led an anti foreigner movement. The movement was against illegal migrations against domination of Bengalis and other outsiders and against faulty voters’ register that included the names of lakhs of immigrants.
6. Eventually after six years of turmoil, the Rajiv Gandhi-led government entered into negotiations with the AASU leaders, leading to the signing of an accord in 1985. According to this agreement those foreigners who migrated into Assam during and after Bangladesh war and since, were to be identified and deported. With the successful completion of the movement, the AASU and the Asom Gana Sangram Parishad organised themselves as a regional political party called Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). It came to power in 1985 with the promise of resolving the foreign national problem as well as to build a ‘Golden Assam’.
Q. 8. All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands. Explain by giving examples from this chapter.
Ans. There is a great reality that all regional movements need not lead to separatist demands. The inhabitants of Mizo Hills in Assam demanded seciession from the Indian Union and established Mizo National Front to get their demand conceded. The Mizos organised armed agitation and commenced guerilla warfare. The MNF was banned during Chinese aggression. The government, keeping their aspirations in view decided to make Mozo hills area a Union Territory, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on 21st January, 1972. It was named Mizoram. However, Mizos headed by Laldenga were not satisfied with this arrangement. Ultimately in 1986, a peace agreement was signed between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga. Under this agreement Mizoram was elevated from the status of a Union Territory to be the 23rd state of India. Laldenga was made the Chief Minister of Mizoram.
Q. 9. Regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle of unity with diversity. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Ans. It is correct to say that the regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle of unity and diversity. The reasons in support of these statements are as given below:
(i) In India, different regions and linguistic groups have the right to retain their own culture.
(ii) India has adopted a democratic approach to the question of diversity and, therefore, allows the political expression of regional aspirations.
(iii) Regional issues and problems receive adequate attention and accommodation in the policy making process.
(iv) Indian approach does not see regionalism and cultural diversity as a threat to the nation.
(v) During the period since independence- regional aspirations from demands of statehood and economic development to autonomy and separation have been raised. But the democratic politics has accommodated the demands of different sections of the society. Regional aspirations are very much a part of democratic politics.
(vi) Jammu and Kashmir is one of the living examples of plural society and politics. In Spite of diversities and conflicts, the plural and secular culture of the state has remained largely intact. Similarly, in Punjab regional identities continue to be important for the people, but politics has been on secular lines.
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 went own mother…… ‘Meghalaya 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 left in the present day Asam-‘the Karbis and the Mising brothers and sisters are our dear ones’.
– Sanjib Baruah
Questions
1. Which unity is the poet talking about?
Ans. The poet is talking about to keep the unity of the Assamese with other smaller nationalities.
2. Why were the states of North-East created separately out of the erstwhile state of Assam?
Ans. The states of North-East created separately out of erstwhile state of Assam for the purpose of some cultural and economic developments.
3. Do you think that the same theme of unity could apply to all the regions of India? Why?
Ans. Yes, we think that the same theme of unity could apply to all the regions of India because we know all that unity is strength.
