Class 12 Political Science Chapter 17 Regional Aspirations and Conflicts
If you are a Class XII student searching for high-quality AHSEC Class 12 Political Science Chapter 17 Regional Aspirations and Conflicts Notes to improve your exam performance, then this Ready Guide is for you. It includes all the important question-answers prepared by a team of experts. Our language is very easy to understand and remember. Begin your study journey with us for a bright future.
Selected Questions-Answers
1. Very Short Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
(a) When did the ‘Assam Movement’ begin?
Ans: In 1979.
(b) In which year did Goa become a constituent state of India?
Ans: In 1987.
(c) Who was the leader of the Naga National Council?
Ans: A. Z. Phizo.
(d) When was the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’ adopted?
Ans: In 1973.
(e) Who was Hari Singh?
Ans: At the time when India attained independence, he was the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.
(f) Which Article of the Indian Constitution mentions Jammu andKashmir?
Ans: Article 370.
(g) In which year was the ‘Akali Dal’ of Punjab formed?
Ans: In 1920.
(h) Who was Laldenga?
Ans: Laldenga was the founder of the Mizo National Front.
(i) Under which Article of the Indian Constitution was special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir? H.S. ’16
Ans: Article 370.
(j) When did the Government of India conduct ‘Operation BlueStar’?
Ans: In 1984.
(k) When was the first Legislative Assembly election held in Sikkim?
Ans: In 1974.
(l) When did Sikkim join India?
Ans: In 1975.
(m) What is the full form of AASU?
Ans: All Assam Students’ Union.
(n) When was the National Conference formed?
Ans: In 1932.
(o) Who was the founding president of the ‘Telugu Desam’?
Ans: N. T. Rama Rao.
(p) In which year was the state of Nagaland formed?
Ans: In 1963.
Note: Nagaland officially became a state of India in 1963. The year 1960 refers to the 16-Point Agreement, not the formation of the state.
(q) Mention any one factor responsible for the rise of regionalism.
Ans: Economic disparity.
(r) In which year was the reorganization of the North-Eastern region completed?
Ans: In 1987.
(s) Sikkim is the ______ state of India. (Fill in the blank)
Ans: 22nd.
(t) What is the full form of MNF?
Ans: Mizo National Front.
(u) What is the full form of MGP?
Ans: Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.
(v) When was the movement for the formation of ‘Punjabi Suba’launched?
Ans: In 1960.
(w) When was the ‘Punjab Accord’ signed?
Ans: In 1985.
(x) When was Indira Gandhi assassinated?
Ans: On 31 October 1984.
(y) Before 1961, under whose control was Goa?
Ans: Under the Portuguese.
(z) When was the ‘Assam Accord’ signed? H.S. ’20
Ans: In 1985.
(aa) Name the first regional party formed in any state of India. H.S. ’16
Ans: D.M.K. (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).
(ab) What is the full form of NFA?
Ans: North-East Frontier Agency.
(ac) The Shimla Agreement was signed between India and ______. (Fill in the blank) H.S. ’16
Ans: Pakistan.
(ad) Where was the first Non-Aligned Summit held? H.S. ’20
Ans: In Belgrade.
(ae) Write the full form of ‘NEDA’. H.S. ’20
Ans: North East Democratic Alliance.
2. Short Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 2)
(a) What is ‘Operation Blue Star’?
Ans: ‘Operation Blue Star’ refers to the military operation conducted bythe Government of India in June 1984 against the militant movement that had been started by some leaders of the Akali Dal demanding a separate Sikhstate called Khalistan. The militants had established their base inside theGolden Temple at Amritsar. During the operation, the temple suffered considerable damage and many Akali leaders were arrested.
(b) When and between whom was the ‘Assam Accord’ signed?
Ans: The ‘Assam Accord’ was signed in August 1985 between the Government of India and the All Assam Students’ Union.
(c) Mention two main causes of the Assam Movement.
Ans: The two main causes of the Assam Movement were—
(1) Foreign infiltration, and
(2) Economic disparity.
(d) What is meant by ‘Regionalism’?
Ans: Regionalism refers to the narrow regional sentiment developed whenthe people of a particular region give greater importance to their own regional interests over national interests.
(e) Mention the significance of Article 370 of the Constitution.
Ans: Article 370 of the Constitution granted special status to Jammu andKashmir. According to this Article, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed greater autonomy compared to other states of India. The state had its own Constitution. Not all provisions of the Indian Constitution were applicable to this state.
Note: Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019. The special status is no longer in force.
(f) What is meant by ‘Seven Sisters’?
Ans: The term ‘Seven Sisters’ refers collectively to the seven North-Eastern states—Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
(g) Mention any four regional political parties of India. H.S. ’15, ’17
Ans: Four regional political parties of India are—
(1) Asom Gana Parishad,
(2) Akali Dal,
(3) D.M.K.,
(4) Telugu Desam Party.
(h) Write two factors responsible for the growing importance ofregional political parties in India. H.S. ’14, 15, 17, 19
Or
Write two causes for the rise of regionalism in India. H.S. ’13, ’16
Ans: The importance of regional political parties in India has graduallyincreased. Two factors are—
(1) Regional aspirations,
(2) Indifference of national parties towards regional problems.
(i) Which two Articles of the Indian Constitution granted greaterautonomy to Jammu and Kashmir? H.S. ’15
Ans: Articles 370 and 371.
Note: Article 371 does not specifically grant autonomy to Jammu andKashmir; it contains special provisions for several other states. The primaryArticle concerning Jammu and Kashmir was 370.
(j) Mention two causes for the beginning of regional movements inNorth-East India.
Ans: Two causes for the beginning of regional movements in North-East India are:
(1) Negligence of the Central Government in solving regional problemsof North-East India.
(2) The desire to preserve the distinct culture and civilization of the region.
3. Medium Length Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 4)(a) What is the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’? Discuss its objectives. H.S. ’17
Ans: On 11 December 1972, the Akali Dal formed a 12-member committee to review the situation of the state and to reassess the party’s policies andprogrammes. After review, the committee adopted a resolution known as the‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’. It included the main policies, plans, andprogrammes of the Akali Dal. The Resolution had seven objectives, such as—
(1) Transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab from Union Territory administration.
(2) Merger of Punjabi-speaking and Punjabi-populated areas with Punjab.
(3) Limiting the role of the Central Government and ensuring decentralization of powers to the states under the existing Constitution.
(4) Protection of the rights of weaker sections in Punjab along with landreforms and industrialization.
(5) Enactment of an All-India Gurdwara Act.
(6) Protection of minorities living outside Punjab but within India.
(7) Review of recruitment policy regarding reserved positions for Sikhsin the armed forces.
(b) What is the Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord? Write its mainprovisions.
Ans: On 24 July 1985, an agreement was signed between the then PrimeMinister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, and the President of the Akali Dal, HarchandSingh Longowal. This agreement is known as the ‘Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord’ or the ‘Punjab Accord’. Its main provisions were—
(1) Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
(2) A commission would be formed to resolve the boundary dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
(3) A tribunal would be set up to decide the distribution of Ravi-Beas riverwaters among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
(4) The Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab would be withdrawn.
(5) Better facilities would be provided to those affected by terrorism inPunjab.
(c) How do the demands of regionalism reflect unity in diversity inIndia? Discuss.
Ans: Unity in diversity is a characteristic feature of the Indian nation. The demands of regionalism reflect this diversity. For example—(1) Regional aspirations are a part of the democratic system. India is thelargest democracy in the world. A strong democratic system should efficientlyaddress regional aspirations.
(2) The best way to respond to regional aspirations is through democraticdialogue and mutual understanding among different groups. Suppression byforce may endanger national integration.
(3) Regional aspirations can be fulfilled through sharing of power. Everyregion plays a special role in national development; therefore, representationof regional parties in state and central governments is necessary.
(4) Regional imbalance in economic development may create disparities; hence, the Centre should emphasize balanced economic growth.
(d) What were the main objectives behind the formation of the‘Asom Gana Parishad’?
Ans: In 1985, a regional party named ‘Asom Gana Parishad’ was formedin Assam. Its main objectives were—(1) To stop the influx of foreign infiltrators into Assam.
(2) To identify and expel foreigners residing in Assam.
(3) To protect the existence of the Assamese people.
(4) To give Assam equal priority with other states in economic matters.
(5) To construct two new bridges over the Brahmaputra River for bettertransport facilities.
(6) To establish two central universities and one All-India technical institution in Assam.
(7) To set up a cultural complex (Kalakshetra).
(8) To arrange fencing with barbed wire along the border betweenBangladesh and Assam.
(e) Write a note on the Kashmir problem. H.S. ’17
Ans: At the time when India gained independence from British rule, Kashmir was a princely state. At that time, Pakistan attempted to invade Kashmir. To protect his state from Pakistani aggression, Maharaja Hari Singh signedthe Instrument of Accession with India.
Since then, misunderstanding and conflict have continued between Indiaand Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. From time to time, the two countrieshave engaged in wars, such as the 1971 war and the 1999 Kargil War. In 1947, Pakistan took control of a portion of Kashmir (now known asPakistan-occupied Kashmir). Since then, Pakistan has allegedly supportedmilitant activities in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. As a result, conflict between the two countries has continued since independence. India has repeatedly tried to reach a peaceful settlement with Pakistan, but tensions persist. At present, the Jammu and Kashmir issue remainsone of the most significant political issues in India.
(f) Briefly discuss the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Do you considerit justified? Give reasons.
Ans: In the 1980s, a large development project was initiated in theNarmada Valley in central India. It required the construction of several small and large dams on the Narmada River. Being aware of the far-reaching adverse effects of these dams, local people organized a movement known as the‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’.
Medha Patkar led this movement, and later Booker Prize-winning authorArundhati Roy also joined it. It was claimed that the dam projects wouldbenefit the people of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. However, the opponents argued that the project would bring severe environmental andsocial consequences to the region. The protesters demanded proper rehabilitation and compensation for those directly and indirectly affected. They alsodemanded local control over natural resources such as water, land, and forests. The movement is considered justified because it aimed to protect theinhabitants of the Narmada Valley from potential disaster and displacement.
(g) Discuss the demand for autonomy in North-East India. H.S. ’20
Or
Discuss the separatist movements in North-East India. H.S. ’18, 19
Ans: After India attained independence, demands for autonomy arose inthe North-East region. In almost every state, movements were organized inthe name of regionalism, with the primary demand being self-governance. At the time of independence, except Manipur and Tripura, most of theother states were part of greater Assam. Attempts to impose Assamese language and culture on various tribal communities created resentment amongnon-Assamese groups. As a result, several North-Eastern states graduallyemerged separately. After the passing of the Assam Official Language Act, the combined movements of the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia communities led tothe formation of Meghalaya in 1972. Similarly, due to various movements, Nagaland was formed in 1963 and Mizoram in 1987. At present, in Assam, groups such as the Bodos, Karbis, Koch, Dimasas, and Koch Rajbongshis are demanding separate states.
(h) Write briefly about defection in the Indian party system. H.S. ’19
Ans: Joining another political party from one’s original party for personal interest or other reasons is called ‘defection’. In the Indian party system, defection has been a common phenomenon since 1967. It is sarcastically referred to as “Aya Ram, Gaya Ram.” Defection damages the political image ofleaders and sometimes disrupts unity within parties. It is not a healthy sign ina democracy. Therefore, laws have been enacted to curb the practice of defection.
(i) Give two suggestions to prevent communalism in India. H.S. ’19
Ans: At present, communalism has become a common phenomenon inIndia. It poses a serious threat to the progress and unity of the country. Two suggestions to prevent communalism are—
(1) Emphasis should be given to equal development of all communities.
(2) Individuals and organizations spreading communalism should bebanned and strict legal action should be taken against them.
4. Essay Type Questions: (Marks for each – 6)
(a) Discuss the causes behind the rise of regional political parties. H.S. ’20
Ans: Although India has several strong national parties, many regional parties also exist. There are several reasons behind the rise of regional parties.
(1) Negligence of the Central Government: The Central Government isnot always equally sympathetic to all states. As a result, neglected states of-ten form regional parties to secure their rightful demands.
(2) Religious causes: Sometimes regional parties are formed based on religion. People of the same religion in a region unite to protect or promotetheir religious identity, which may eventually lead to the formation of a regional party.
(3) Language: India is home to people speaking many languages. If a particular language is imposed upon others, people unite to protect their linguistic identity and form regional parties. For example, opposition to the imposition of Hindi led to the rise of the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
(4) Political ambition of leaders: Some leaders who fail to secure important positions in national parties form regional parties to fulfill their ambitions.
(5) Delay in solving problems: When the Central Government delays orneglects regional issues, regional parties are formed to ensure prompt solutions.
(6) Geographical diversity: Due to geographical differences, people ofcertain regions form regional parties to preserve their distinct culture andheritage. For example, in the hill areas of Assam such as Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, Naga Hills, and Jaintia Hills, regional parties were formed to highlight their specific problems.
(b) Suggest measures to solve the problem of regionalism.
Ans: Regionalism is a major challenge to the unity of India. The following measures may help to solve the problem—
(1) Proper economic policies should be formulated so that regionalismdoes not reach an extreme level and threaten national unity.
(2) Emphasis should be laid on balanced development of the entire country and industries should be decentralized.
(3) The Central Government should abandon neglectful and repressivepolicies towards border areas.
(4) The government and political parties should act promptly in solvingregional problems.
(5) Instead of attempting to destroy diversity, it should be accepted as anational heritage and efforts should be made to establish unity in diversity.
(6) Greater autonomy should be granted to states through decentralization of powers.
