Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Recent Developments in Indian Politics
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Selected Questions-Answers
1. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
(a) Write one feature of India’s New Economic Policy. H.S. ’17, ’19
Ans: Economic liberalization.
(b) When did the Godhra incident take place?
Ans: On 27 February 2002.
(c) What does ‘Bhaichara’ mean?
Ans: Social harmony or brotherhood.
(d) Who was the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
Ans: Kanshi Ram.
(e) Who was the Chairman of the Mandal Commission?
Ans: Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal.
(f) Which government adopted the New Economic Policy in India?
Ans: The P. V. Narasimha Rao Government.
(g) What is the ‘Silent Revolution’?
Ans: The rise of the Other Backward Classes and lower strata in Indianpolitics was described as the ‘Silent Revolution’ by Christopher Jaffrelot.
2. Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 2)
a) Write the two main features of the New Economic Policy adoptedin India in 1991. H.S. ’15, ’20
Ans: The two main features of the New Economic Policy adopted byIndia in 1991 are as follows—
(1) Liberalization: The New Economic Policy adopted measures to freethe economy from unnecessary state controls. It abolished the industrial licensing system.
(2) Privatization: Another important feature of the New Economic Policyis privatization. It implies the introduction of private ownership in public sector enterprises along with private management and control.
(b) Write two causes for the rise of communalism in India.
Ans: The two causes for the rise of communalism in India are—
1) The ‘Divide and Rule Policy’ of the British rulers.
(2) The formation of various communal organizations in India at different times.
3. Medium Length Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
(a) Write a note on the New Economic Policy. H.S. ’17
Ans: To cope with globalization and to overcome economic crisis, Indiaadopted the New Economic Policy in 1991. On 30 December 1994, Indiabecame a member of the World Trade Organization and thereby became apartner in liberal economic policies.
(b) Present the arguments in favour of the New Economic Policy.
Ans: The following arguments may be presented in favour of the NewEconomic Policy adopted by India in 1991—
(1) Through the New Economic Policy, India’s industrial sector gainedthe confidence to compete with the global industrial sector.
(2) After the introduction of the New Economic Policy, the rate of economic growth in India increased.
(3) On the basis of the New Economic Policy, measures were taken toimprove the efficiency and profitability of public sector enterprises.
(4) Due to liberalization, multinational corporations started business operations in India, which increased employment opportunities.
(5) Various measures were introduced for the development of small-scaleindustries, benefiting them considerably.
(c) Present the arguments against the New Economic Policy adoptedby India in 1991.
Ans: The following arguments may be presented against the New Economic Policy adopted by India in 1991—
(1) A serious allegation against the policy is that it neglected the agricultural sector in comparison to industry, business and the government sector. As a result, the condition of farmers became miserable.
(2) Another major criticism is that by adopting the New Economic Policy, India surrendered to two international organizations—the World Bank andthe International Monetary Fund.
(3) The policy increased India’s dependence on foreign technology andfailed to promote indigenous technology.
(4) Reduction of subsidies in various sectors under the direction of theWorld Bank adversely affected the poorer sections directly.
(5) The introduction of a free-market policy led to the growth of consumerism in India, and the younger generation came under the influence of for-eign culture.
(6) The policy had an adverse impact on India’s education system. Due toprivatization of education, the process of receiving education became expensive.
(7) Although the New Economic Policy led to economic development, the benefits were confined to a limited section of people.
(d) Discuss the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. H.S. ’20
Ans: In 1979, the then Janata Party Government constituted a commission to study the social and economic conditions of the backward classes inIndia and to make recommendations. The Chairman of the Commission wasthe former Chief Minister of Bihar, Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal. The Commission came to be known as the Mandal Commission after his name. TheCommission studied and examined the living conditions of the backwardclasses and submitted its report in December 1980. The main recommendations of the report were as follows—
(1) Twenty-seven percent of posts in government jobs and seats in educational institutions should be reserved for the Other Backward Classes.
(2) The Government of India should provide financial assistance for welfare schemes for the Other Backward Classes, similar to those provided forthe Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
(3) Land reforms should be undertaken so that poor farmers in the statesdo not remain excessively dependent on wealthy farmers.
(4) The Other Backward Classes should be encouraged and financiallyassisted to establish small-scale industries.
(5) Special educational schemes should be adopted for the backward classeswith emphasis on vocational training.
4. Essay Type Questions: (Marks for each – 6)
(a) Discuss the main features of the New Economic Policy adoptedby India in 1991.
Ans: The foundation of the New Economic Policy adopted by India in1991 was economic liberalization and free trade. Its main features are—
(1) Liberalization: The policy adopted measures to free the economy fromunnecessary state controls and abolished the industrial licensing system.
(2) Privatization: It introduced private ownership in public sector enterprises along with private management and control.
(3) Economic Globalization: Through the New Economic Policy, Indiaaccepted the challenge of globalization and incorporated various measuresto integrate with the global economy.
(4) New Public Sector Policy: The policy brought changes in government policy regarding the public sector and shifted the emphasis of India’s economic system from the public sector to the private sector.
(5) Modernization: The policy emphasized the adoption of modern technical methods in the production system.
(6) Financial Reforms: As a result of the New Economic Policy, Indiaundertook several financial reforms such as abolition of directed credit programmes, liberal treatment towards foreign banks, and granting greaterautonomy to banks.
(b) Discuss the causes for the rise of communalism in India.
Ans: There are several causes for the rise of communalism in India, such as—
(1) The British policy of ‘Divide and Rule’: The British rulers adoptedthis policy to strengthen their position. They created divisions among different communities in India and attempted to generate distrust among the people. This policy laid the foundation of communalism in India, from which thecountry has not yet fully recovered.
(2) Communal Organizations: Various communal organizations have beenformed in India from time to time. These organizations have fuelled hatredamong different religious communities.
(3) Governmental Indifference in Tackling Communal Conflicts: At times, state governments have failed to effectively control communal riots, whichhas contributed to the spread of communalism.
(4) Politics of Appeasement: Often, decisions taken by political partiesfor political gain have triggered communal tensions. During elections, manypolitical parties attempt to appease particular religious communities. Similarly, ruling parties sometimes try to secure their tenure by appeasing specific religious groups. This leads to resentment among other communitiesand increases communal sentiments.
(5) Use of Hindu Symbolism in Nationalist Thought: During the freedommovement, a strong religious element was sometimes incorporated into nationalist ideology. Many leaders emphasized ancient Indian culture over medieval Indian culture, and Hindu symbols were frequently used in political movements. Due to the above reasons, communalism has emerged in India.
(c) Discuss some measures to prevent communalism in India.
Ans: At present, communalism is a burning problem in India and poses aserious threat to the unity and integrity of the country. Some measures toeradicate communalism are—
(1) The education system should be used as an effective medium to eradi-cate communal attitudes. Religious tolerance and secular values should betaught in educational institutions.
(2) The media should refrain from publishing news that may provoke communal hatred.
(3) Since communal violence often spreads due to provocation by certainleaders, the administration should take prompt action before rumours spreadwidely.
(4) Efforts should be made to reduce economic inequality and disparityso that feelings of discrimination do not arise among minority communities.
(5) Communal attitudes can be removed by fostering mutual trust betweenmajority and minority communities.
(d) Discuss the challenges posed by communalism in India withreference to the Ayodhya and Godhra incidents. H.S. ’13
Ans: Although the seeds of communalism in India were sown during theBritish period, it assumed a serious form in the last decade of the twentiethcentury. Among such incidents, the Ayodhya incident in Uttar Pradesh andthe Godhra incident in Gujarat mark disgraceful chapters in Indian history. On 6 December 1992, nearly two lakh kar sevaks demolished the famousBabri Masjid at Ayodhya under the patronage of the Bharatiya Janata Partyand the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. They argued that a Ram temple had previously existed at the site of the mosque and therefore the mosque should bedemolished to construct a Ram temple. The Ram Temple–Babri Masjid issueled to communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims across India, resulting in the loss of several thousand lives.
Another tragic incident of communalism was the Godhra incident. On 27February 2002, at the town of Godhra in Gujarat, a coach of the Sabarmati Express carrying returning kar sevaks was set on fire, leading to the death ofabout 57 people. Suspecting the involvement of Muslims, large-scale violencewas unleashed against Muslims in Gujarat. The violence spread to various partsof the country, and several thousand people became victims of communalism. These two incidents dealt a severe blow to India’s policy of secularism.
