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Kerala Plus Two History Chapter Wise Questions and Answers Chapter 9 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

Question 1.
The official who discovered the ruined remains of Vijayanagara?
Answer:
Colin Mackenzie

Question 2.
Krishnadevaraya – which dynasty did he belong to?
Answer:
Tuluva

Question 3.
The author of the book ‘Amuktamalyada’?
Answer:
Krishnadevaraya

Question 4.
Where are most of the temples of Vijayanagara seen?
Answer:
Holy Centre

Question 5.
Who is the builder of the Hazara Ram Temple?
Answer: Ramarayan

Question 6.
Who discovered the ruins of Hampi? How were they brought to light?
Answer:
The ruins of Hampi were discovered in 1800. They were discovered and brought to light by Colin Mackenzie. He was an engineer and a collector of antiques. He was an important official of the East India Company. He visited Hampi and made the first survey map of this site. He got the first information about Hampi from the priests in the Virupaksha Temple and the shrine of Pampadevi.

From 1836, calligraphic experts began to make their researches in Hampi. They collected a lot of inscriptions from Hampi and the temples there.

From 1856, photographers began to take pictures of the monuments there. They also took photographs of the various pictures. These pictures helped the scholars to study more about Hampi.

Historians now wanted to recreate the history of Vijayanagara. They used information from these sources to compare it with the descriptions of foreign travellers to this place. They also compared it with the information available in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit books. Thus by studying things in minute detail, the historians tried to recreate the history of Vijayanagara. Further efforts were made by the Archaeological Survey India to find out more things about Hampi.

Question 7.
Cavalry was the most important feature of the army of Vijayanagara Empire. On the basis of this statement, discuss the horse-trade that existed at that time.
Answer:
Cavalry was the most important feature of the Vijayanagara army. It played a major role in battles.

Therefore countries were competing among themselves to import the best breed of horses from other countries. They got their horses from Central Asia and Arabia. The horse trade was initially controlled by the Arabs. Local traders called ‘Kudirai Chettis’ also took part in this horse trade. From 1498, Portuguese traders also came into this field. The Portuguese who reached the Western shores of the subcontinent tried to found trade centres and military establishments there. In military technologies they had the upper hand. This helped them to become a strong political power.

Question 8.
Krishnadevaraya was the most important ruler in the Vijayanagara Empire. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Answer:
Krishnadevaraya ruled from 15Q9 to 1529. It was time of expansion and unification of the Empire. He was one of the best warriors. In 1512, he captured the lands between Thungabhadra and Krishna Rivers. He also defeated the rulers of Orissa in 1514. Later he also overcame the Bijapur Sultan. Thus under Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara army became the best in South India the Empire reached its peak.
Although battles and military preparations were constant, Krishnadevaraya was able to bring prosperity to his country.

He took great pains in unifying the country. He subdued all his enemies. He was a good administrator and an artist. He built many palaces and temples. He was the one who built the Hazara Ramaswami Temple and the Vittalaswami Temple in Vijayanagar. He also built many gate towers in different temples of South India. He founded a township called ‘Nagalapuram’ in memory of his mother Nagaladevi.

He encouraged arts and literature. He was known as ‘Andhra Bhoja’. In his palace there were many famous poets. He was a scholar and writer. It is believed that he wrote many books. Some of his known works are Amuktamalyada in Telugu and Ushaparinayam in Sanskrit.

Amuktamalyada is a book dealing with the strategies a king has to use. In it Krishnadevaraya explains the attitude rulers should have towards trade and traders. He wrote that a king has to develop the ports and thus encourage trading. A ruler should help foreign navigators who are forced to come to his country because of bad climate or illness. A ruler must have cordial relations with traders who import good breed horses and encourage them by giving them proper prices and gifts. If these things are done the good horses will not get into enemy hands.

Question 9.
Assess the position the military commanders had in Vijayanagara.
Answer:
Military commanders had great powers. They controlled the fortresses of the country. They could keep armed guards. They often moved their residence from one place to another. Agriculturists who were interested in getting fertile fields also accompanied them. These military commanders were called ‘Nayakans’. Most of them lived obeying the Vijayanagara kings. But sometimes they also rose in revolt. The revolts of the Nayakas were suppressed by the ruler.

In Vijayanagara Empire there was the system of “Amara Nayaka”. This system had many of the features of the “Iqta system’ of the Delhi Sultans. Amara Nayakas were military commanders. Vijayanagara kings gave them some regions to govern. These regions were called ‘Amara’.

The governing of these regions was done by the Amaranayaks. They collected taxes of different kinds from the farmers. traders, artisans and big merchants. A big portion of the income was used for their personal needs. The other part was spent in maintaining horses and elephants. A small portion was also spent on maintaining temples and irrigation.

Amaranayakas rendered military help to the kings of Vijayanagara. It was by using this military might that the kings brought the Southern Peninsula under their control. Amaranayakas were to give the king tribute every year. They also had to visit the king and give him gifts to show their loyalty to him. To show that the king had power over them, he used to transfer amaranayakas to different places. Even then by the 17th century, the amaranayakas became powerful and some of them started challenging the authority of the king. Some even established independent states. This caused the slow disintegration of Vijayanagara.

Question 10.
How were the water resources protected in Vijayanagara? What arrangements were made to ensure that people got sufficient water for their use?
Answer:
Vijayanagara is a dry area. Therefore rulers took special interest in preserving the water and distributing it to the needy places. Vijayanagara is located in the Thungabhgdra River basin. This river flows into north¬eastern direction. There are beautiful rocky hills all around it. These fills surround the city. From these hills, many streams flow into Thungabhadra.

The rulers of Vijayanagara built dams across these streams. They also made provision to collect rain water and supply it to the cities. They also got many ponds dug to collect water during rains. The most important pond they made was Kamalapuram Pond. It was made in the 15th century. Water from this pond was used for irrigation in the nearby fields. It was from this pond water was taken to the royal centre through small canals.

The most important irrigation work was the making of Hiria Canal. This canal took water from the dam built across Thungabhadra to different parts of the country. It was this canal that made irrigation possible in the fields of the valley that separates the ‘Holy Centre’ and the ‘City Centre’. This canal was built by the rulers of Sangama dynasty.

Question 11.
Do you think the rituals connected with Mahanavami Dibba are important? Explain.
Answer:
Celebrations like Mahanavami are connected to Mahanavami Dibba. Mahanavami means the Great Ninth Day. Mahanavami is a Hindu festival that lasts 10 days. This festival is in the months of September or October in the Autumn season. This feast is known by different names in different regions. In North India it is ‘Dussehra’, in Bengal it is ‘Durga Pooja’ and in South India it is ‘Navaratri’. The Vijayanagara kings exhibited their glory and authority during this festival. Mahanavami is celebrated with many rituals. Idol worship, veneration to the royal horse, animal sacrifice etc. were part of the rituals. The celebrations are made more enjoyable through dance performances, wrestling, processions with adorned horses, elephants, chariots and soldiers. Nayakas and regional chiefs owing loyalty to the main King come with gifts for their king and his guests. All these rituals had their symbolic meanings.

On the last day of the festival, a huge function was conducted in an open place. In that the King examines his army and also those of the Nayaks. On this occasion, the nayaks give tribute to the king. Along with the tribute, the nayaks also gave the king plenty of expensive gifts.

Question 12.
In the Royal Centre there were many buildings. What were the most important? What are their special features?
Answer:
One of the most beautiful buildings in the Royal Centre is the “Lotus Mahal”. This name was given by the British travellers who came here in the 19th century. Historians are not very sure for what purpose this structure was used. Mackenzie feels that this was a Council Chamber in which the King met his advisors. There are many temples in the Royal Centre. Most of the temples of Vijayanagara are seen in the Holy centre. But the Royal Centre is also rich in temples. One of the important temples in tl^e Royal Centre is Hazara Rama Temple. It was built by Ramayan I. It is believed that only the king and his family members used this temple.

The important idols of the Hazara Ramaswami Temple are not yet found. But the inscriptions and sculptures on the walls are still seen there. There are scenes from the Ramayana. They have been inscribed on the inner walls of the temple. When Vijayanagara was destroyed most of the constructions there also were destroyed. Still the tradition of building palatial structures was continued by the Nayaks. Many of the buildings made by them are still standing.

Question 13.
There was much importance for the temples in the history of Vijayanagara. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Answer:
Temples were also centres of knowledge. For maintaining the temples, the King and others gave land gifts. As a result, the temples grew into religious, cultural and economic centres. Kings believed that constructing temples, maintaining them and protecting them would increase people’s faith in them. It was a way to get public recognition of the wealth, authority and generosity of the kings.

The main reason for choosing Vijayanagar as the capital was the presence of the Virupaksha Temple and the Shrine of Pampadevi. The Vijayanagara kings claimed that they were ruling the country in the name of Virupaksha Devan. All royal edicts in Kannada were signed “Sri Virupaksha Deva’. By receiving the title ‘Hindu Suratrana’ the kings tried to establish their close relation with gods. Suratrana is the Sanskrit equivalent of the Arabic Sultan. So Hindu Suratrana means Hindu Sultan.

The kings of Vijayanagar continued with the old temple traditions and they expanded them. They also started new things. The statues of the kings were exhibited in the temples. The visit of the King to the temple was considered a big official event. At this time the major Nayakas of the country accompanied the king.

Question 14.
Describe the architectural styles (Vastu) of the Vijayanagara temples. What were the special features that appeared at that time?
Answer:
In the temple construction, some new features appeared. The most important innovation was the construction of huge gate towers and halls. These were the symbols of royal authority. Therefore these towers were called ‘Rayagopuras’. They were very tall, like skyscrapers, and sometimes they were even bigger than the temple itself. They showed even from a far distance the presence of a temple.
The Vijayanagara kings constructed halls and corridors with tall pillars. These corridors were made in such a way that they went around the main worshipping area. The halls had many pillars with inscriptions. The temples had extensive grounds on all the sides. Two of the temples in the Holy Centre are especially important – Virupaksha Temple and Vittala Temple.

Virupaksha temple was built over centuries. Evidence shows that the first construction was done in the 9th or 10th century. With the establishing of the Vijayanagara kingdom, the temple was expanded. In front of the temple there is a huge hall. It was Krishnadevaraya who got it built. It was a mark of his coronation. This hall is decorated with pillars with inscriptions. The eastern gate tower was also made by him. Because of the halls and towers, the temple itself was confined to a small area.

In the temple complex there were many halls. They were used for different purposes! In some halls there were idols of deities. These halls were used for conducting dance performances, music concerts and such celebrations. Some halls were used for celebrating the wedding of deities. Some were for the deities to swing. On all these occasions special idols were used. They were different from the idols in the main temple.

Vittala Temple is another important one. The main idol here is Vittala, a form of Siva. Vittala is a deity that is commonly revered in Maharashtra. The Vijayanagara kings used different traditions to get acceptability. It was with this purpose that they brought Vittala to Karnataka. There are many halls here. There is a temple here made on the model of a chariot. It is a unique structure.
An important feature of the temple complex is the ‘chariot streets’. From the tempie tower it lies in a straight line. These’streets are paved with stone. There are also pillars with small halls. Traders have their stalls here.

The temple construction tradition was continued by the Nayaks. Some of the most beautiful regional towers were made by Nayaks.

Question 15.
What does Domingo Pius say about the markets of Vijayanagara?
Answer:
Domingo Pius says that the markets were working along the most beautiful and extensive streets of Vijayanagara. The traders stayed there. They had all sorts of ornaments, gems, pearls, jewels and clothes. Everything under the sun was available there. Every evening there was a market there. Not only grains, vegetables and fruits, but even horses were sold in these evening markets.

Kerala Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers Chapter 9 Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Question 1.
Unscramble a bunch of disarranged press clipping file of Unni-Munni… and arrange the file Chronologically.
a) Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir
b) Formation of the Janata Dal
c) The demolition of Babri Masjid
d) Assassination of Indira Gandhi
e) The Formation of NDA government
f) Godhra incident and its fallout.
g) Formation of the UPAgovernment
Answer:
Formation of Janta Dal.
Mandal Recommendation and Anti-Reservation Stir.
Assassination of Indira Gandhi.
The demolition of Babri Masjid.
The formation of NDA government.
Godhra Incident and its fallout.
Formation of the UPA government.

Question 2.
Match the following.

Answer:
a – iv ;b – ii ;c – i ;d – iii

Question 3
Match the following.

Answer:
1 – b
2 – c
3 – d
4 – a

Question 4.
Fill up the table given below.

Hints:-
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Chandrasekhar
V.P.Singh
I.K.Gujarai
H.D.DevaGauda
Answer:
1989-1990-V.P. Singh
1990-1991 – Chandrasekhar
1996- 1997- A.K.Gujral
1997- 1998- H.D. Devagauda
2004-2009 – Dr Manmohan Singh

Question 5.
The first Backward Commission was appointed by the Janata Party Government. What is the popular name of this commission?
Answer:
Mandal Commission

Question 6.
Identify the name of the Prime Minister who implemented Mandal Commission Report,
Answer:
V.P. Singh

Question 7.
Identify the name of the Prime Minister who implemented Mandal Commission Report.
Indira Gandhi, V.P. Singh, Morarji Desai, Lai Bahadur Shastri.
Answer:
V.P. Singh

Question 8.
Prepare a time line
a) Mandal recommendation and Anti reservation stir.
b) The demolition of Babari Masjid.
c) The assassination of Indira Gandhi.
d) The formation of NDA Government.
e) Godhra incident and its fallout.
5 Formation of UPAgovernment.
Answer:
a. 1990
b. 1992
c. 1984
d. 1998
e. 2002
f. 2004

Question 9.
At the end of 1980’s India witnessed five developments that were to make a long lasting impact on our politics. Can you briefly list the five developments.
Answer:

• In 1989, Congress lost the election. With that election the ‘Congress System’ ended.
• Mandal issue in national politics: In the 1990s,the government decided to implement the job reservations recommended by the Mandal Commission. Reservations were also made for Other Backward Classes. This resulted in a move against the Mandal Commission throughout the country.
• The economic policy changed according to the change in the government. A new economic policy was implemented in the name of Structural Adjustment.
• In 1992, theBabri Masjid was demolished as a result of many things. It was an incident that threatened the unity and integration of the country. It happened because of the coming of BJP with its Hindutva agenda.
• The Murder of Rajiv Gandhi (1991): This brought changes in the leadership of Congress. In the next election, Congress won the maximum seats.

Question 10.
The ‘Mandal Commission Report’ was an important land mark in the political rise of other backward classes. Find out the important findings of ‘Mandal Commission Report’
Answer:
Since the 1960s, the South Indian States had made reservations for Other Backward Classes. But this was not done in the Northern Regions. In the 1977­79 period this demand became very strong through­ out the country.

In 1978, the Janta Party appointed Mr Bindeswari Mandal to find out the groups which are socially and educationally backward and study about their condition. This Commission is known as the Second Backward Commission. This Commis­sion was appointed with the intention of solving the backwardness of certain sections of the society.

In 1980, this Commission presented its report. Ac­cording to the Commission, the Backward Sections were to be Backward Classes. Apart from the Sched­uled Tribes, there were many other classes which should be considered Backward. According to a survey conducted by this Commission, it was found out that their representation was very low in educa­tion and jobs. Therefore it recommended t give 27% reservation to these Backward Classes. With the coming of the land reforms, their condition has be­come much better.

Question 11
‘Hindutva’ is a recent development in Indian politics particularly after 1986. This policy gave strength to BJP, which changed the political atmosphere of In­dia. Explain the concept of ‘Hindutva’.
Answer:
Politics in India since Independence It was V.D. Savarkar that brought the concept of ‘Hindutva’. He considered Hindutva as the face of India. The basic concept of Hindutva is considering India their paternal country and their holy land. The belief behind it is that only upon a strong cultural foundation can a nation be built. He believed that only the Hindu culture can give this foundation.

Question 12
During 1986 two major developments happened. This became central to the politics of BJP as a ‘Hindutva party’. These developments are.
1. Sha Bano Case in 1985
2. Ayodhya dispute
Prepare a short note about these two incidents.
Answer:
Sha Bano Case: Sha Bano was a 62 year old Muslim widow. She filed a case to get alimony from her ex-husband. The Supreme Court decided the case in her favour. But some Muslims argued that the verdict of the Court was against the Muslim Personal Law. In 1986, as per the demand of some Muslim Leaders, the government implemented the Muslim Women Act. It was against the judgement of the Court. So Women Organizations, some Muslim groups and intellectuals objected to it. BJP criticised this Act as an example of pampering the Minority by the Congress.

Ayodhya Dispute:
Mir Baqi, who was the com-mander-in-chief of the army of the Mughal Empire was the one who got the Babri Masjid built in the 16th century. (The remaining part of this answer can be seen in the answer to the next question.)

Question 13.
The demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya had badly affected the secular polity of India. Identity the consequences of Ayodhya issue?
Answer:
As soon the news of the demolition of the Masjid came out there were heated arguments between Hindus and Muslims in many places. That State Government was dismissed. In many States with BJP governments, Presidential rule was imposed. A case was filed against the Chief Minister of UP in the Supreme Court. The case was for breaching the court verdict. BJP expressed its regret at the tragic incidents that took place. The Central Government appointed a Commission to study the circumstances which led to the demolition of the Mosque. Liberhan Commission submitted its report after 17 years of the incident.

Question 14.
India is a secular state. As such communal violence is a threat to Indian secularism. But many times the central government and the state governments failed to control communal violence and to foster communal harmony. Anti Muslim riots in Gujarat is an example. Can you carefully explain the Gujarat riot?
Answer:
In the months of February and March, Gujarat witnessed large scale anti-Muslim riots. It was caused by an incident that took place at the Godhra railway station. A compartment in which the “Karsevaks” were travelling after performing ‘karseva’ at Ayodhya was on fire by some people. Many Hindus thought it was the Muslims who set Fire to the compartment resulting in anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat. More than 1100, mostly Muslims, were killed.

The National Human Rights Commission vehemently criticised the Gujarat Government for not preventing the riots. The Election Commission ordered the postponement of elections. Things happened in such a way that many people suspected that the Gujarat Government was favouring the anti-Muslim rioters. Whatever might be the truth, such things are not good for our secularism and democracy.

Question 15.
In India after 1989 the congress dominance declined and the BJP improved its position. So there is severe political competition and conflict among different political parties. But amidst all the conflicts, a consensus appears to have emerged among most of the parties. Identify the consensus.
Answer:
In the 1989 election, Congress tost. But all the parties had some common understanding.

• New Economic policies: Although some groups objected, most political parties supported the new economic policies. They believed that the new policies would lead the country to prosperity.
• Parties realized that the political and social rights of the backward classes should be approved. They realized that the backward classes need reservation in education and jobs.
• The difference between Central and State Parties is getting minimised. In the Central Politics, the State parties also have a big role.
• Even when opinions and ideologies differ, there is a tendency among parties to work together in coalition governments. The NDA did not approve the Hinduta agenda of the BJP, still it was able to complete its term without any major hitch.

Additional Questions 

Question 1
Write a short note about the anti muslim riots in Gujarat.
Answer:
In February and March 2002, there were anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat. The immediate reason for this was the incident that took place at the Godhra Railway Station. A compartment in which Karsevaks were travelling was set on fire. 57 people died. Many Hindus thought Muslims were behind this incident and therefore there as large scale violence against Muslims in Gujarat. For almost a month this violence continued. Some 1100 persons, mostly Muslims, were killed in the riots.

Question 2.
Who was the Chairperson of Mandal Commission?
Answer:
Bindeswari Prasad Mandal

Question 3.
What are the results of the demolition of Babri Masjid?
Answer:
The news of the demolition of the Babri Masjid caused Hindu-Muslim riots in many parts of the country. The Central Government dismissed the BJP government in UP and imposed Presidential rule in the other States where BJP was in power. A case was filed against the Chief Minister of UP for violating the court order.

Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers

Kerala Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers Chapter 8 Regional Aspirations

Question 1.
Match the following.

Answer:
a. iii
b. iv.
c. ii
d. i

Question 2.
The North Eastern part of India comprises seven states. These states are generally known as ‘Seven Sisters’. Which are the states?
Answer:
Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya.

Question 3.
Fill up the table given below. Match the column A with B and C

Answer:

Question 4.
At the time of independence Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state. Who was the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir?
Answer:
Raja Harisingh

Question 5.
One among the following is not included in the north eastern India. Find out.
a) Assam
b) Thripura
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Manipur
Answer:
c) Tamil Nadu

Question 6.
Jammu and Kashmir is broadly classified into three regions. Identify them?

Answer:
Kashmir, Ladakh

Question 7
‘Operation Vijay’ is associated with the integration of a state in the Indian union. Identify the state,
a) Manipur
b) Punjab
c) Arunachal pradesh
d) Goa
Answer:
d) Goa

Question 8.
Identify the year in which the following events occurred.
a) Rio Summit
b) Kyoto Protocol
c) Copenhagen conference
Answer:
a. Rio Summit-1992
b. Kyoto Protocol -1997
c. Copenhagen Conference – 2009

Question 9.
Match the following.

Answer:
Lai Danga – Mizo National Front
Master Thara Singh -Akali Movement
Sheikh Muhammed Abdullah – Autonomy for Jammu & Kashmir
E.V. Ramaswami Naicker-Self Respect Movement

Question 10.
Match the following A with B and C .

Answer:

Question 11.
During 1980’s India faced a major threat due to the rise of regional aspirations for autonomy. Even though we had managed to resolve the problems the process of solutions was always difficult and often violent. As a student in political science can you explain the Indian approach to the regional demand for autonomy?
Answer:
The attitude of India towards its various provinces is based on the idea of unity in diversity. Each State has the right to maintain its language and culture. As per the constitution, all have the right to live with their own individuality without breaching the unity of India. India believes in the principle of unity in diversity.

Maintaining the democratic principle, each political party can address its people with its regional individuality. The States and their needs are protected. Our thinking is different from the thinking of European countries. There, they think diversity is a threat to nationalism.

Question 12.
Jammu and Kashmir is the major challenge that remains unresolved in the unity of India. Prepare a report showing the different aspects of Jammu Kashmir issue.
Answer:
When India got independence, Jammu-Kashmirwas a Princely State. Initially, the King Raja Hari Singh refused to join either India or Pakistan as he wanted to remain independent. The Pakistani leaders believed that since Jammu-Kashmir had a lot of Muslims, it would join Pakistan.

The people there were known as Kashmiris. Under the leadership of Sheikh Abdulla there was an agitation to remove the King from power. But he also did not want to join Pakistan. National Conference was a secular organization. It was also pro-Congress. In October 1947 Pakistan encouraged ,some tribal groups to capture Pakistan. Then the King sought assistance from India.

The King signed the “Instrument of Accession” and so the Indian army helped the Jammu-Kashmir King. There was also a condition that when things become normal there would be a referendum. For the welfare of the people Sheikh Abdulla became the Prime Minister. India granted J&K autonomy.

External and Internal Squabbles:
Because of external and internal problems, J&K is always in th^ttiidst of crises. On one side there is Pakistan, claiming the Kashmir Valley. After the 1947 War, a part of Kashmir came under Pakistani control. India calls it illegal occupation. Pakistan calls this area Azad Kashmir. Internally also the Kashmir problems is a headache for the Centre. According to Article 370, Kashmir is given greater autonomy than other States. This Article is applicable only to Jammu and Kashmir.

The special concession causes problems. Many believe that this autonomy given to Kashmir will adversely affect the unity and indivisibility of the country. They feel that Article 370 should be removed. But the Kashmiris feel that the autonomy they got by Article 370 is not enough. Some Kashmiris put forward 3 complaints.No referendum has taken place so far.

The status promised by Article 370 is only on paper, not in practice. They need more autonomy. They also say that the kind of democracy implemented in other States of India is not found in J&K.

Politics since 1948:
After Sheikh Abdulla became the Prime Minister of Kashmir, many land reforms and other welfare measures were taken to help the masses. But there was a difference of opinion between him and the Central Government. He wanted Kashmir to be completely free. So the Central Government dismissed him and kept him in jail for some time. His successors did not get popular support but they administered the region with Central support. The Kashmiris slowly started believing in democracy. According to the agreement between India Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah, in 1974, he became the Prime Minister. He died in 1982.

Resistance And Later:
In the 1987 election the National Conference won with a huge majority. Farukh Abdulla became the Chief Minister. Many believed that he did some manipulations in the election. From 1980, there have been protests against weak governments there. Some people believed that it was the Centre which made this huge majority possible. It led to the Kashmiri crisis. There was resistance. In 1989, there was an armed struggle for making Kashmir independent.

The insurgents were assisted by Pakistan. For many years, J&K was under Presidential rule. Even as there was strong military presence there, from 1990 there have been frequent clashes between the army and the people who resisted Indian rule. Farooq Abdulla’s government also demanded greater autonomy. In 2002, there was another election. Instead of the National Conference, a PDP Coalition Government came to power.

Secession Movement And After:
The secessionist movement (1969) appeared in many shapes and it took different stances.

• Independent Kashmir without joining either India or Pakistan.
• A group demanding merger with Pakistan.
• A group demanding greater autonomy.
  The demand for greater autonomy attracted the people of Jammu and Ladakh in different ways. Often there were complaints against neglect and backwardness.
• The Central Government discussed the issue with different groups. The secessionists now say that even as they stay with India, they should be given more autonomy.

Question 13.
The violence in Punjab exhibited a dark part of the Indian history. The Akali Dal played a critical role in creating disturbance in Punjab. Can you briefly explain the separatism in Punjab?
Answer:
The Indo-Pakistan division and the formation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh caused the social situation in Punjab change. Punjab State came into existence in 1966 on linguistic basis. Akali Dal propagated an idea called ‘Punjabi Suba’ and Indira Gandhi approved this demand. Thus Punjab was divided into Punjab and Haryana .

Haryana was for the Hindi speaking people and Punjab for the Punjabi speakers. Even in the 1967 election, Akali Dal came to power in Punjab by making agreements first with Jan Sangh and later with Janta Party. Because of certain reasons, the situation became bad for Akali Dal and before completing the term, the government was dismissed by the Centre. The Akali Dai could not get the support of the Hindus.

The Sikh Community itself was divided on tribal and caste lines. The Dalits supported the Congress. In 1970, a group of Akalis demanded political autonomy. They also said that there should be rethinking about Centre State relationship. In 1973, in Anandapur, they passed a resolution supporting this idea. They demanded a Sikh Kaum (Sikh Nation) through this resolution.

This resolution made only the Sikh community happy. In 1980 the Akali Government was dismissed. The Akali Dal leaders tried to prevent the sharing of river water. Some religious leaders also demanded freedom for the Sikh nation. The worst was the demand for an independent Khalistan.

Question 14.
Operation Blue Star’ was a critical incident in the history of India and in the history of Sikh community.Evaluate the reasons and consequences of ‘Operation Blue Star’.
Answer:
After passing the Anandpur Sahib resolution, some religious leaders demanded autonomy. Slowly it became the demand for an independent Khalistan. Slowly power moved from the hands of the moderates to the radicals and they were ready for armed resistance. The Sikh fundamentalists made the Golden Temple itself their centre for operation. Through the Operation Blue Star, the Central Government was able to drive the armed extrem its out of the Golden Temple. But some damage was sustained by the Golden Temple during the operation and this wounded the religious sentiments of some Sikh people.

They looked at the Operation Blue Star as an attack on their faith. In retaliation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was killed by her own Sikh guards. It was a moment of great shock for the country. In Delhi and some North Indian States there was violence against the Sikhs. This violence lasted a week. In Delhi itself some 2000 Sikhs were killed. It took a long time to establish normalcy in the country. The Sikhs felt that the murderers of their fellow, men were not appropriately punished. After 20 years of the incident, in 2005, the then Prime Minister, Man Mohan Singh, expressed regret at the mindless killing of the Sikh people.

Question 15.
Rajiv Gandhi- Longowal or Punjab Accord was a landmark towards bringing normalcy to Punjab. Explain Punjab Accord?
Answer:
After the 1984 general election, Rajiv Gandhi be-came the PM. He started talks with the Akali Dal leaders. In 1985, he signed an accord with the Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal. This is known as the Punjab Accord or the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord. This helped to bring about normalcy in Punjab. The conditions of the Accord:

• Handover Chandigarh to Punjab.
• Appoint a new Commission to solve the border disputes between Punjab and Haryana.
• Establish a Tribunal to share the waters of Ravi Beas with Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Compensation will be given for the daffies done during the Operation Blue Star and people suffering from its aftermath will be given assistance. Even with all these, normalcy did not return immediately. It took nearly ten years for things to become normal. By 1990, the.army was able to suppress the extremists. But both the Sikhs and Hindus suffered a lot for nothing.

Question 16
The North Eastern States in India are referred to as the ‘Seven Sisters’. These states are formed on the basis of certain reasons. This region has only four percent of the country’s population. Explain briefly the reason behind the formation of these states.
Answer:
Since 1947, the North Eastern region has witnessed a lot of changes. So many political changes took place. In 1960, Nagaland was created. In 1,972, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura came into being. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became separate States.
The 1947 division of India made the North Eastern part of the country a region without any sea port. This resulted in its economic decline.

Since it was isolated from the rest of India, development was slow there. The politics of that region was also unique. Moreover, many refugees from the neighbouring countries and neighbouring States migrated to this region, thus bringing radical changes in the social and economic set up of the region.

Question 17.
The North East states expressed complicated sets of demands. This created complicated problems in this region. Through the active interference of the Indian government some of the problems are resolved,but some other problems persist even today. Gan you identify the major problems in the North East states?
Answer:
The North-Eastern States have some geographical peculiarities, it was a region that was not Closely linked to the rest of the country. It has long international orders, but communications facilities were less there its development was neglected to be extent and the problem was made complex by the emigrants that came from other places. In this complex . situation, some complex demands were made:

• Demand for autonomy.
• Demand for independent nations.
• Enmity towards people from other places.

Demand for Autonomy:
At the time of independence, except Manipur and Tripura, the entire North-Eastern region was just one State. After independence, the non-Assamese felt that Assamese language was imposed on them. Therefore they demanded political self-rule. The Adivasi leaders wanted to keep away from Assam. They formed “Eastern India Tribal Union”. Later it was known as “All Party Hill Leaders Conference”. They demanded one Adivasi State, but more Adivasi States like Meghalaya and Mizoram were formed.

Even with this, their demand for self-rule did not end. The Bodos, Karbis and Dimasas etc. demanded their own States. The same area was demanded by more than one community. Because of that the only solution was forming tiny States. Some stayed in Assam and gained their right for self-rule. The Karbis and Dimasas were given self-rule at the District level. The Bodos were given their self-rule council very recently.

Secessionist Movement Mizoram:
India faced demands for secession from two North-Eastern States-Mizoram and Nagaland. After independence, Mizoram region within Assam itself was enjoying self-rule. But many of them . thought that they were not part of British India and so there was no reason for them to join India. In 1959 there was a serious famine in the Mizo hills. But the Assam government could not take appropriate measures to help the suffering people there. This caused the formation of Mizo National Front (MNF) under the leadership of Lai Denga. From 1966, they started an armed struggle to get freedom. Pakistan aided them and gave them refuge in Eastern ‘ Pakistan. In the conflict many ordinary people were killed. This made the local people very angry.

In spite of the 20-year long resistance, no party made any gain. Then they had a rethinking. The exiled Lai Denga returned from Pakistan and started talks with Indian authorities. In 1986, a peace accord was signed between and Rajiv Gandhi. Mizoram thus became a State some specie rights. ‘MNP gave – up their resistance.

The case of Nagaland was very similar’ to that of Mizoram was problem that began even before the Mizoram issue, but it still remains unsolved. In 195-1, under the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo, Nagaland declared its independence. Phizo refused to accept suggestions Tor peace. The Naga National Council made an armed struggle. After some time it made an accord with the India Government. But some other revolutionaries were not agreeable to the terms of the accord. Even today it continues to be an unresolved issue.

Moves Against Outsiders:
There was another problem in the North-Eastern region which faced migration of people from other places. There was rivalry between the local people and the emigrants. The locals thought that lack of foodstuff, unemployment, shortage of land etc, were problems created by the outsiders who Came to the region in large numbers. In Assam, the moves against outsiders were very strong. If the outsiders were not controlled, the locals feared that they would become the minority.

in 1979, the Assam Students’ Union made move against the outsiders. It was against illegal emigrants. There were also many Bengalis in this illegal group. The Student Union protested against the voters’ list which’ included the names of the emigrants. Many unfortunate events took place. Many were killed. After 6 years, Rajiv Gandhi made an accord with the leaders of the Students’ Union. According to that, all the people who came to the region after the Bangladesh War were to be sent away.

Question 18
The Indian democracy is’ strengthening slowly but steadily. The merger of Sikkim and Liberation of Goa can be cited as the extension of Indian democracy to the people of Sikkim and Goa. Explain the process of Sikkim merger and the liberation of Goa.
Answer:
The integration of Sikkim arid the liberation of Goa show that even people outside India wanted to become part of India. India is the largest democracy in the world, geographically and population-wise.

Sikkim Integration:
At the time of our independence Sikkim was a protectorate of India. Its defence and foreign relations were managed by India. The Chogyal rule made Sikkim an autocracy. But the . desire of the people for democracy made ruling difficult for Chogyal
The first election in Sikkim was in 1974. The Sikkim 1 Congress won. The Assembly passed a resolution making Sikkim an Associated State and later In 1975 opted for integration with India. It was done as per the popular will. Thus Sikkim became India’s 22nd State.

Goa’s Liberation:
The liberation of Goa from the Portuguese is another example of the success of Indian democracy. Although the British ended their rule in India in 1947, Portugal refused to quit from Goa, Daman and Diu. They were keeping the people . under their rule by suppressing them, refusing their rights and by forceful conversions.

The Indian Government patiently waited for the voluntary withdrawal of the Portuguese. The Goan people were clamouring for their freedom from Portugal. The Socialist Satyagrahis of Maharashtra also supported ’ them. Finally in 1961, the Indian Government sent an army and made the Portugal ruled areas part of Indian territory. The military operation lasted only a couple of days. In 1987 Goa became a State.

Question 19.
‘Vadakku Vaazhkirathu’Therkku Thaeikirathu”. This was the popular slogan raised by Dravidian movement. This Dravidian movement was one of the first regional movements in Indian Politics. Prepare a short note about Dravidian movement.
Answer:
“Vadakku Vaazhkirathu, Thekku Thaeikirathu” was a slogan of the Dravidian Movement. This is first regional movement in India. Although the Movement wanted to establish a Dravidian Nation, it never resorted to any armed struggle. Using the democratic methods of propaganda and election, the Dravida Munnetta Kazhakam became a strong power.

Dravida Movement:
Dravida Kazhakam (DK) was formed by E.V. Ramaswami, known as ‘Periyor’. This Organization was against Brahmin supremacy and the political and economic supremacy of the Northern States. It was split later and then DMK (Dravida Munneta Kazhakam) came into existence. In 1953 and 54 it made 3 big agitations and they made DMK an influential party in Indian politics.

• The first agitation was to change the name of a railway station. Kallakkudi railway station’s name was changed to Dalrpiapuram. The DMK wanted to retain the name Kallakkudi.
• The second agitation was to make Tamil Cultural history as an important part of the school curriculum.
• The 3rd ope was against the handicraft training in the schools. The DMKsaid that it had a Brahmin touch .The DMK made huge agitations against the plan of making Hindi as the sole official language. The 1965 anti-Hindi protests made DMK very famous. Now there are many Dravidian parties – DMK, AIDMK, Marumalarchi DMK, Pattali Makkal Kakshi, Desiya Moorpoku Dravida Kazhakam arrd so on. Some of them are known even outside Tamil Nadu.

Question 20.
“The period since 1980 faced challenges against national integration”. These challenges tested the capacity of democratic politics to accommodate the demand of diverse sections of the society. Can you point out the lessons that we learned from these problems?
Answer:
We were able to learn the following things:

• Regional demands are part of the democratic system.
• In democracy, suppression is not the solution. We have to look for solutions to problems.
• It is not enough to have democratic structure within the State. There should be such a system in interstate matters. It is not right to demand complete self-rule or autonomy. The nation is made up of various States. Therefore the future fate of the nation is also the responsibility of each part.
• If regional representation is not equal in economic development, it will lead to regional discrimination. When some States remain backward and others go ahead fast, it will spoil the equilibrium. It is schemes with a broad vision that will bring unity in diversity in the Indian context.

Additional Questions

Question 1.
How does regionalism come in the way of bringing about unity in diversity?
Answer:
Regionalism creates obstacles on the path of finding unity in diversity. The reasons are given below

• In the society it brings about divisive tendencies. It badly affects the principle of unity in diversity
• Since people have regional loyalties, they can’t fulfill their national obligations and responsibilities
• Regionalism often degenerates into communalism and linguistic jingoism and this destroy unity.

Question 2.
Define Regionalism.
Answer:
Regionalism is the love and loyalty people feel to the small region in which they live. It becomes bad when their love for their region becomes greater than the love for their country.

Question 3.
What do you know about Master Tara Singh?
Answer:
Master Thara Singh is a famous Sikh political leader. He was one of the early leaders of Siromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee. He was also a leader of Akali Movement.

Question 4.
Which region is known as ’Seven sisters’?
Answer:
North Eastern Region

Question 5 .
Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?
Answer:
In the 1970s, a section of the Akali Dal, demanded greater autonomy for Punjab. They passed a resolution for political freedom in 1973 during the Conference conducted at Anandpur Sahib. This resolution summed up the policies, principles and schemes of the Akali Dal. It became controversial because it was written in Gurumukhi script. The resolution was not clear. Some words were ambiguous, capable of being interpreted in different ways. For the moderates the resolution demanded more autonomy for Punjab, but for the extremists it was full freedom and not mere autonomy.

Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers

Kerala Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers Chapter 7 Rise of Popular Movements

Question 1.
Match the following.

Answer:
1 – B ; 2 – C ; 3 – D; 4 – A

Question 2.
Fill up the following table.

Answer:
Social Movement

Question 3.
Expand the following abbreviations.
a) N.B.A.
b) B.K.U.
c) M.K.S.S.
Answer:
a) Narmada Bachao Andolan
b) Bhartiya Kisan Union
c) Mazdur Kisan Sakti Sanghatan

Question 4.
During June 2005 Indian Parliament passed the law regarding Right to Information. A popular movement originated in
Rajasthan influenced it. Which was that Popular Movement?
Answer:
Mazdoor Kisan Sakti Sanghatan

Question 5.
Fill up the table given below.

Answer:
Rajasthan

Question 6.
Which of these statements is incorrect?
The Chipko Movement
a) was an environmental movement to prevent cutting down of trees.
b) raised questions of ecological and economic exploitation.
c) was a movement against alcoholism started by the women.
d) Demanded that local communities should have control over their natural resources
Answer:
c) was a movement against alcoholism started by the women.

Question 7.
Some of the statements below are incorrect. Identify the incorrect statements and rewrite with necessary correction:
a) Social movements are hampering the functioning of India’s democracy
b) The main strength of social movements lies in their mass base across social sections.
c) Social movements in India emerged because there were many issues that political parties did not address.
Answer:
a) Social movements are hampering the functioning of India’s democracy

Question 8.
Match the following.

Answer:

Question .9
In recent times it is noted that people are organized in a non political manner to deal with the problems they are facing. Agitations in Muthanga, Plachimada, Chengara etc can be cited as examples. Prepare a Politics in India since Independence
brief note about the origin of these types of non political popular movements with examples.
Answer:
It is the dissatisfaction among people that causes them to organize in a non-political manner to find solutions to their problems. Even after 30 years of independence, neither the government nor the party was able to solve some democratic problems. In the 1970s, women, students, subalterns, peasants, etc. realized that politics wouldn’t solve their problems. Therefore they rallied under various social organizations and made their demands.

The presence of social organizations thus became very much felt. Most of these organizations were formed against exploitation of Nature, inequality, exploitation, social evils, alcohol and such things. Women took a major role in all these. Chipko Movement, Dalit Panthers, AntiArrack Movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, National Fish Worker’s Union etc. are some such organizations that gained international attention.

Question 10.
Political Parties are always making efforts to resolve the problems faced by the people. But at the very same time non-party movements are strengthening throughout the country. Find out the reasons behind the formation of non-party movements.
Answer:
ln the 1970s and 80s, there are many groups of people that were not satisfied with the working of the existing political parties. This caused the formation of non-political groupings. In many spheres they were able to bring about changes. Even then economic inequality and poverty remained on a large scale. The benefits of the economic gains did not reach all levels of the population. There was a big gap between the industrial and rural sectors. Many felt this was injustice.

Many political parties lost their faith in the democratic system. Therefore they were forced to adopt new methods. Students, subalterns and Adivas is joined together and worked for the poor people, fighting against social evils. They were known as Voluntary Organizations. They did not support any political party or contest elections. They did not want to work in political parties. They discovered that direct interference was better than seeking political solutions to problems.

They also believed that such interventions would help the democratic government . Therefore they we known as non-political movements. They worked in urban and rural areas. But when more and more money came from outside, some of these groups became weak.

Question 11.
Prepare a seminar note about the most significant Non Political Movements in India.
Answer:
The Most significant Non Political Movements: In the 1970s people became impatient. The Government and the political parties were not ready to solve their problems. Therefore the people at the lowest strata like the Adivasis and Dalits rallied themselves under the umbrella of some social organizations to fight for their rights. They discovered that direct interference was better than seeking the help political parties. Thus in the Indian political history, non-political movements were formed. Some took up environmental issues, some worked for job-related things and some worked against social evils.

A. Movements for the Preservation of Nature and its Resources:
The Most significant Non Political Movements in India were to preserve Nature and its resources. We know about the Plachimada Agitation against the Coca-cola Company. Other examples of such movements are those against biack sand mining in Alapuzha and for protecting the Silent Valley. Two other most important movements were the Chipko Movement under Sundarlal Bahuguna and the Narmada Bachao Movement under Medha Patkar.

Chipko Movement:
This was a Movement that became famous the world over. It was started in 1973 in two or three villages of Uttarakhand. The Forest Department prevented the villagers from cutting down a certain kind of trees with which they made their working implements. But the same Forest Department gave permission to a Sports Equipment Manufacturing Company to cut down such trees for commercial purposes. This provoked the villagers. When the workers came to cut the trees, the villagers stood near the trees embracing them. (Chipko means embrace). This protest spread to many parts of Uttarakhand.

The people raised their voice against the exploitation of nature. They asked the government not to let outsiders come and exploit their resources. They wanted the power to manage them to be given to the local people. They also asked of permission to start small scale industries, protecting Nature and the Environment. They also . demanded minimum wages for the forest workers ,who had no land of their own.As a result of this Movement, the government issued an order prohibiting the cutting down of trees in the Himalayan side for 15 years. The role of women was great in this Movement. They also fought against social evils like drinking alcohol. With Chipko Movement, people realized that solutions to popular problems could be found through non-political movements.

Narmada Bachao Andolan:
This Movement came as a result of the Sardar Sarovar Project. This questioned even the economic policy of the government. It was also a movement against large scale displacement of people for huge developmental projects. People of Kerala had made similar protests against the Vallarpadam Project.

Sardar Sarovar Project is a large scale project. The project was to build a number of big and small dams. The project would cover Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. This project would help Gujarat to have good irrigation and electricity. Narmada Bachao Andolan was to protect Narmada. The Movement demanded the stoppage of constructions in this river.

If this project is completed, 245 villages would be submerged underwater. Some 2.5 lakhs people will have to find new homes. Starting from these villages, the Andolan began to spread. The beginning of the Movement was by demanding to rehabilitate those who would lose their homes.

The argument also came up that the local communities should have power over the land, water and forests. They ask why in a democracy some people should become victims for the benefit of some others. Many large scale schemes have been implemented. Large scale displacement of people would adversely affect them. It also brings harm to Nature. All these were the causes for the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

The NBA met with stiff opposition. The government and the court gave permission to rehabilitate the displaced persons. It was because of this Movement that the Policy of Rehabilitation was formulated in 2003. But the Supreme Court criticised the Andolan saying that it was preventing development.

B. Movements Related to Caste Problems:
The fact is that even today the Dalits are being discriminated against. Although there are laws against such discriminations, they are, often violated. In Kerala we haveAdivasi Khshema Samiti, Ayyankali Pada and Adivasi Gotra Maha Sabha which are caste- related Movements. The Dalit Panthers is a nationwide Movement.

Dalit Panthers:
in the 1970s, many Dalit youths, who were degree holders residing in slums, showed their power. Dalit Panthers is the Movement working for the welfare the Dalits, it was first started in Maharashtra. It fought against caste discriminations. It wants the reservations for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes to be implemented properly. Although untouchability is legally prohibited, we can still see it in many parts of the country.

The activities of the Dalit Panthers are concentrated in areas where Dalits are subjected to discrimination and attacks. It also works in collaboration with Movements who have similar ideologies. In 1989, a law was enacted to give severe punishments to those who harm Dalits. The agenda of the Panthers is making the society equitable where there is no caste discrimination. After independence, the Movement also does activities for the welfare of the poor, wage earners and subalterns. Dalit Panthers made some electoral adjustments with political parties. But the Movement split into various fragments and its strength was lost.

C. People Movements Based On Work:
There are movements related to work. Such movements came up because many lost their traditional jobs and some others, especially peasants, faced many problems in their life. An example is the Muriyad Karshaka Sangham in Trichur District. The important Movements in India are Bhartiya Kisan Union and National Fish Workers’ Forum.

Bhartiya Kisan Union:
In the 1980s, some communities received different benefits as part of development. This caused many complaints against the government and the party. In 1988, in Uttar Pradesh, some 20,000 farmers assembled. They protested against the increased electricity rates. They protested in front of the District Collector’s office for 3 weeks and their demand was approved. It was a show of strength by an organized rural movement. The protesters were members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union. The peasants in Haryana, Punjab and Western Uttar Pradesh got the benefits of the Green Revolution.

Their main cultivation was sugar cane and wheat. With the liberalization policy, these farmers faced a crisis. The Bhartiya Kisan Union made protests. Their demands were: Increase the minimum price given to sugar cane and wheat, remove inter-State controls, give electricity at moderate rates, write off the agricultural debts and grant pension to agricultural workers.

The method of protest included rallies, protests, dharnas, getting arrested and filling jails. The Union pressurized the government to get their demands accepted. The members of this union belonged to one particular community. They met in the manner of traditional panchayats and discussed ways to overcome their economic problems. Until 1990, the Bhartiya Kisan Union kept away from political parties. The Shetkari Sanghatan in Maharashtra and the Rayata Sanghatan of Karnataka also came up with economic demands. In the 1980s these Movements of the peasants made big social impacts.

National Fish Workers’ Forum:
Many people make their livelihood by catching and selling fish. India has the second biggest group of fish workers. There are lakhs offish workers here. There was a problem that adversely affected the fishermen. With the arrival of trawling boats, the fish wealth
was taken away by the boat owners. Ordinary fishermen had to struggle for their livelihood. The Liberalization Policy of the 1980s made their life more difficult. Therefore they united at the national level. People from Kerala were in the leadership positions.

The Forum included women workers also, in 1991 they protested against the policies of the Central Government. The main reason was the government granting permit to international companies to catch fish even close to the Indian shores. In July 2002, the Forum organized a nation-wide strike demanding the ban of foreign trawlers. Now the Forum works for the welfare of the fish workers and also for the protection of Environment.

Movements Against Social Evils:
What is noteworthy in many Social Movements is the increased presence of women. Earlier, women took part in affairs related to the family. Their protests were mainly against dowry, sexual harassment in work places and public places. Most of those protests were carried out by educated or wealthy women.

But the fight against alcohol was led by illiterate women. March against Arrack: In the 1990s, many women in Nellur in Andhra became literate. In the class, women spoke about the drinking habits of their men-folk. Drinking alcohol causes both physical and mental harm. It also adversely affects the economic situation of the family. Men do not go to work. The manufacturers of various kinds of alcoholic beverages make money by using all sorts of illegal means. It is the women that suffer because of the drinking habit of men.

The women in Nellur protested against alcoholism and forced a wine shop to close down. This news spread like wild fire into some 5000 villages. They held meetings and passed resolutions and sent them to the Collectors. The arrack auction in Nellur had to be postponed 17 times. The protest in Nellur spread to the rest of the State. In short, where government s and political parties failed, such social movements won.

Question 12.
There are arguments in favour and against popular movements. Can you make a list showing the merits and demerits of Non-political popular movements.
Answer:
These days the popular movements have a lot of importance in politics. Here are their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• It helps the people to recognize the value of democratic movements.
• It helps people to know the defects of political parties and the importance of social action.
• It represents new social fellowship. In the past the political parties did not pay any heed to the complaints of people.
• Mutual disputes are reduced. Different groups become active in social matters.
• Such popular groups help in the growth and functioning of democracy.

Disadvantages:

• Protests, dharnas, and rallies prevent governments from smooth functioning. Late decisions adversely affect proper ad ministration.
• Most Movements were for or against a particular issue. Thus these movements get the support of only some particular groups of people. Their activities, therefore, are limited.
• For democratic policies, there is a need for broad fellowships and unity. But such broad fellowship is not seen in most of these Movements.
• These Movements can work only for limited objectives. Often there are clashes between these Movements and Parties. There is a big gap between them.

Additional Questions

Question 1.
Enumerate three laws enacted by the Parliament since independence, for the welfare of women.
Answer:
The Indian women are generally in a backward state. Social reformers and freedom fighters have done a lot to improve the condition of women. Movement like Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj and Prarthana Samaj worked for gender equality. They also carried out some schemes for the welfare of women. Law prohibiting Sati (1829), Widow-Remarriage Act (1856),Politics in India since Independence.

Marriage Act (1856) etc. were done with the intention of women’s welfare. After independence, many lawswere passed to improve the lot of women. Some of the most important laws are:

• Hindu Marriage Act (1955)
• Adapting for Succession (1956)
• Anti-Dowry Bill (1961)
• Anti Foeticide Act (1971)
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (Amendment to the 1978 Law).
• Anti-Dowry Act (Amendment done in 1984)

Question 2
What is SardarSarovar Project?
Answer:
Jipl Sardar Sarovar Project was a multipurpose project. The advocates of this project say that this project will bring development to Gujarat and the three States sharing its border. They say it will give drinking water, irrigation, increased electricity production and better agriculture output in all these places.

Question 3.
In which year was All India Kisan Sabha established?
Answer:
The All India Kisan Sabha was established in 1936.

Question 4.
Who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan?
Answer:
Medha Patkar

Question 5.
Do movements and protests in a country strengthen democracy? Justify your answer with examples.
Answer:
All over the world, Movements and Protests are considered to be part of democracy. In the Popular Movements, various groups of people get involved, and therefore the participation of the people is great. Studying about Popular Movements helps people to understand more about democratic policies. For example, the Anti-Arrack protest organized by the Andhra women paved the way for women to have seat reservations in the Parliament and State Assemblies.

Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers

Kerala Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers Chapter 6 The Crisis of Democratic Order

Question 1.
State whether the following statements regarding the Emergency are correct or incorrect.
a) It was declared in 1975 by Indira Gandhi
b) It led to the suspension of all fundamental rights.
c) It was proclaimed due to the deteriorating economic conditions.
d) Many opposition leaders were arrested during the emergency.
e) CPI supported the proclamation of the Emergency
Answer:
a. true b. true c. false d. true e. true

Question 2.

Answer:
a – ii b – i, c – iii; d – iv

Question 3.
Can you identify the writers who had returned their awards such as Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri in protest against the suspension of democracy?
1. Shivarama Karanth.
2. …………………
Answer:
Phaniswar Nath “Renu”

Question 4.
One of the following Commissions is associated with National Emergency of 1975. Identify the commission
a) Justice Pradhan Commisson.
b) Sreekrishna Commission.
c) Shah Commission.
d) Sarkaria Commission.
Answer:
c) Shah Commission.

Question 5.
Identify the leader associated with Naxalite Movement.
a) E.M.S.Namboothiripad
b) Charu Majumdar.
c) A.K.Gopalan.
d) E.K.Nayanar
Answer:
b) Charu Majumdar

Question 6.
Find out the personalities who made the following slogan.
a) Jai Jawan Jai Kissan
b) Garibi Hatao
Answer:
b. Indira Gandhi

Question 7.
Identify the commission appointed by the Janata Party in 1977 to inquire into the actions taken in the wake of the emergecy.
Answer:
Shah Commission

Question 8.
Match the following.

Answer:
Garibi Hatao – Indira Gandhi
Total Revolution – Jay Prakash Narayan
Railway Strike – George Fernandez
Naxalite Movement – Charu Majumdar
Chairman of Enquiry Commission – Justice J.C. Shah

Question 9.
Normally emergency is imposed in connection with war and aggression or with natural disaster. But in June 1975 the emergency was imposed due to the perceived threat of internal disturbance. Briefly evaluate the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency.
Answer:
After the 1971 election, Indira became a popular leader with a lot of support from the people. This time there were serious problems in the Party. There were three main reasons:

• Economic Reasons
• Gujarat & Bihar Movement
• Dispute with the Judiciary

The main slogan in the 1971 election was ‘garibi hatao’. But when the government came to power it could not improve the economic condition of the country, There were a number of reasons for that. First of all there was the refuge problem. Then there was the Bangladesh Crisis, followed by the Indo Pakistan War. All these things created financial problems. Secondly, after the War, America stopped its aids to India.

Thirdly, there was a sharp increase in oil prices. The 4th reason was inflation which made the life of ordinary people very difficult. The 5th problem was negative growth in industrial output. Unemployment increased, especially in the rural sector. Sixthly, the salaries of government employees had to be reduced and even stopped. Seventhly, lack of rain caused serious shortfall in foodstuff.All the above things created an economic crisis in the country. There was general discontentment in the country. This gave the Opposition Parties an opportunity to organise protests.

Gujarat and Bihar Movement:
The second biggest problem was the students’ protest in Gujarat and Bihar which were Congress-ruled States. The main reason was the increase in the prices of essential commodities. Shortage of food, unemployment and corruption made the students angry. In both these States the Opposition Parties supported the students. In Gujarat, Presidential Rule was imposed. At this time the main opponent of Indira Gandhi and the leader of Congress (O), Morarji Desai, decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike.

He did that for demanding elections in Gujarat. In June 1975, because of heavy pressure from various sources, election was conducted. Congress lost the election. In Bihar the students invited Jay Prakash Narayan to lead their protest. He accepted the invitation insisting that the protest must be non-violent.

He asked for the dismissal of the Bihar govemment. He argued that there was a need for a revolution in social, economic and political spheres. But the Bihar government refused to resign. The entire country discussed the issue. Jay Prakash Narayan wanted to spread the protest to all parts of the country. In the meantime the railway workers went on a strike.

It would make the entire country come to a stand-still. In 1975, Jay Prakash Narayan organized a march to the Parliament. It was the biggest rally the capital had ever seen. The Opposition saw in him an alternative to Indira Gandhi. Both the protests were anti-Congress. Voices also rose against the leadership of Mrs. Gandhi. She believed that all this was done to take revenge on her.

Dispute with the Judiciary:
Another reason for the declaration of Emergency was Indira Gandhi’s dispute with the Judiciary.The Supreme Court said that some of the things the government did were against the Constitution. Congress argued that the Supreme Court judgement was against democracy and the authority of the Parliament. The Party said that the Court was standing against some welfare measures taken to help the poor people. The dispute was mainly in three things.

Firstly, Can the Parliament change the Fundamental Rights? The Court said no. Secondly, Can the Parliament change ownership of land? Again the Court said no. Thirdly, the Parliament said that it had the right to reduce fundamental rights. It amended the Constitution. But the Supreme Court objected. Ail these were the reasons for the dispute between the Government and the Supreme Court.

There were two more reasons. In the Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court judged that the Parliament can’t change the basic structure of the Constitution. Soon the post of the Chief Justice became vacant. Normally the senior most judge is appointed as the Chief Justice. But keeping aside 3 eligible Judges, the government appointed A.N. Roy as the Chief Justice. This appointment became controversial. Besides, the Uttar Pradesh High Court declared the election of Indira Gandhi as null and void. All these were the reasons for Mrs Gandhi to declare Emergency in June 1975.

Question 10.
During 1975 the people close to the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi started talking about the need for a judiciary and bureaucracy ‘committed’ to the vision of the executive and the legislature. Express your idea about committed judiciary and bureaucracy.
Answer:
India is a democratic country. So, administration must be done according to the Constitution. We, therefore, do not need a committed judiciary or committed bureaucracy. Committed Judiciary and Committed Bureaucracy are used by autocrats or one party governments to implement their policies.

Examples of such committed judiciary and bureaucracy could be seen in Mao’s China, Mussolini’s. Italy and Hitler’s Germany. India does not need these things. If we go for committed judiciary and bureaucracy, we will be going against democracy.

Question 11.
Jayaprakash Narayan played an important role in the agitations against Indira Gandhi government. Even though he had given up active politics and was involved in social work, he became an alternative to Indira Gandhi. Can you briefly explain the role of Jayaprakassh Narayan in dislodging Indira Gandhi government?
Hints:
Bihar Movement
Total Revolution People’s
March to Parliament 1975
Nationwide Satyagraha Janata Party
Answer:
In March 1974, the students in Bihar organized some agitations. They were voicing their protest against increase in the prices of essential commodities, unemployment, and corruption. They invited Jay Prakash Narayan to lead the struggle. He accepted the invitation insisting that the protests must be nonviolent and they should not be limited to Bihar alone. Thus the protests acquired a political nature. People joined the agitation. JP Narayan asked the Centre to dismiss the Bihar government. He envisaged a total revolution at the social, economic and political levels. Bihar government refused to resign.

This Movement got wide publicity at national level. JP Narayan wanted this Movement to spread across India. When the Railway workers struck work, there was the possibility of the entire country coming to a standstill. In 1975, JPN made a popular march to the Parliament. It was the biggest march Delhi had ever seen. The Opposition looked at JP Narayan as an alternative to Mrs. Gandhi.

By June 1975, the enmity between the ruling party’ and the opposition became very strong. JPN demanded the resignation of Mrs. Gandhi. On 25 June 1975 there was a big protest on the Ramlila Ground in Delhi. There also he demanded Mrs Gandhi’s’ resignation. He declared he would start a satyagraha. He asked the police and government employees not to obey any rule that was not normal. Government felt it could not continue working. Many people were against Congress.

As a reaction to all this, on 25 June 1975, Indira Gandhi declared an Emergency saying that there was threat to the internal security of the country. In the 1977 election, after the Emergency, the entire Opposition fought against the Congress under Janata Party led by JP Narayan. For the first time Congress lost its majority in the Lok Sabha. Thus JP Narayan became the hero who fought for the restoration of democracy.

Question 12.
The declaration of National Emergency in 1975 produced many bitter incidents to the citizens. Can you mention any two incidents to express the bitter experience of emergency?
Answer:
With the declaration of Emergency, people were in trouble. Their rights and freedom were at risk. Even when people approached the Court forgetting their rights, it proved useless. Government itself started acting against democracy. Here are two incidents. Turkmangate was an area in Delhi where poor people lived. The residents here were forced to leave this place and live in the barren areas of the Yamuna River Bank. The huts in Turkmangate were destroyed. People were forcefully sterilized. Those who volunteered for sterilization were given some free land. Some ran away from their new settlements. But some agreed to be sterilized.

The custody death of Rajan:
In the early morning of 1 March 1976, Rajan, a final year student of Kozhikode Engineering College, was arrested along with another student named Joseph Pali. Mr. T.V. Ichara Varrier, father of Rajan, tried different ways to find out where Rajan was. Since it was Emergency period, fundamental rights could not be enforced by any Court. When the Emergency was withdrawn, Ichara Varrier filed a “Habeas Corpus” in the Court.

According to witnesses, Rajan was taken from the hostel to the Tourist Bungalow at Kozhikode. Because of torture Rajan died in illegal police custody. The Kerala High Court summoned the then Chief Minister of Kerala Mr. K. Karunakarari. ‘He had to resign on this account.

Both these incidents show that during Emergency the fundamental rights of the people were breached. Many such things might have happened in the country. That is why in the 1977 election people refused to vote Congress into power for the first time after independence.

Question 13.
Given below is an anonymous advertisement published after the declaration of emergency in Times of India’.“…death of D.E.M.O’cracy, mourned by his wife T.Ruth, his son L.l.Bertie and his daughters Faith, Hope and Justice’’
The consequences of emergency proved the above comment true. Can you explain the consequences of declaration of emergency?
Answer:
According to the Constitution, during the Emergency, the Central Government has special powers. During the Emergency, the Government did the following:

• Protests and agitations by government employees were banned.
• Media were strictly controlled.
• Fundamental Rights of the citizens were suspended. Even the courts could not enforce article 32.
• A number of preventive arrests of leaders were made. By doing all these things, the democratic set-up was seriously shaken.

The media could publish only things the government approved. Protesting against this, Newspapers like Indian Express and Statesman published their papers leaving some columns blank. Many journalists were under preventive detention. Many Opposition leaders were also kept in preventive custody. The argument for keeping them in jail was preventing any possible violence. Many leaders went underground. The suspension of article 32 was like closing the doors of justice on people. People could not even file ‘Habeas Corpus’. Later article 42 was also amended. We can easily say that the Emergency adversely affected the people in many ways.

Question 14.
There are arguments for and against the declaration of emergency. Indira Gandhi justified emergency on the ground that subversive forces were trying to distract the progressive programme of the government and were attempting to dislodge her from power through extra constitutional means. But to the critics Indira Gandhi misused a constitutional provision for saving the country to save her personal power. Can you substantiate the arguments for and against the declaration of National Emergency?
Answer:
The Government justified the Emergency giving these reasons. First, in a democratic country the majority ruling party should be allowed to do things without unnecessary interference from the Opposition. Second, protests and agitations do not do anything good for the country. Third, the government did not want the Opposition to resort to any unconstitutional means to remove Indira Gandhi from power.

Fourth, Government had to take action to maintain law and order in the country. Indira Gandhi accused the Opposition saying that it prevented the government from taking welfare measures for the uplift of the masses and they wanted to remove her from power using unconstitutional means.

The CPI favoured the Emergency. At that time they argued that protests were unnecessary. They said that there were international problems threatening the unity of India. They also said that Jay Prakash Narayan was a representative of the Middle Class who objected to the reforms aimed at the welfare of the masses.These arguments were criticised. The critics pointed out that the Indian politics itself was a history of protests and agitations.

Therefore people have the right to protest against the government and its policies. None of the arrested people had committed any treason or any such grave offences. No case was registered against any of them. The threat was not to the country but to the Prime Minister and the Congress government. So there was no need for any Emergency. They felt that Indira Gandhi misused the constitutional provision for serving her personal needs.

Question 15.
The declaration of emergency was regarded as a test for excellence of democracy. In this test our democracy exhibited its strength and weakness. Express your opinion regarding the strength and weakness of our democracy on the basis of emergency.
Answer:
The following things will show the strength of Indian democracy. First, it was proved that democracy can’t be destroyed in India. Second, the vagueness or ambiguity of this article in the Constitution was removed. Internal Emergency could be declared by the President with the approval of the Cabinet only when there was an armed revolution in the country. Third, it evaluated the freedom of a citizen. After the Emergency, the Court took measures to ensure the fundamental rights of the citizens. Finally many citizens’ right groups were formed.

The Emergency also shows some weaknesses of our Constitution. First, the tensions that happen between the vested interests of the political parties and the running of the government. It was the police and the bureaucrats that implemented the Emergency. They were not able to function independently. Often they had to function as the yes-men of the ruling parties. Even now this problem is persisting.

Question 16.
“The 1977 General Election was regarded as a referendum on the experience of emergency”. Do you think the election manifested the referendum by its results? Give your explanation.
Answer:
The 1977 election was certainly a referendum after the Emergency. Even before the Emergency, public opinion had turned against the Congress government. Emergency made the people turn against the Party. The people made a slogan asking the Opposition to save democracy. The Opposition Parties joined together and became the Janata Party. They rallied under the leadership of Jay Prakash Narayan .

The Janata Party made the 1977 election a referendum. Their propaganda focused on the violation of people’s fundamental rights, the arrest of thousands of people and censorship imposed on the media.Jay Prakash Narayan became the symbol of de-mocracy. With the coming of the Janata Party, the opposition votes would not get scattered among different parties. Because of these reasons, Congress lost in the election.

Question 17.
There was a belief that “ The alternative of Congress Party can not complete its tenure”. This belief proved to be true with the case of Janata Party. Can you evaluate the reason behind this belief?
Answer:
Only Congress had the claim to be part of the freedom struggle. The Opposition Parties did not have an all-India base or influence. They did not even have a strong slogan. This was the situation of the Grand Alliance. But by the time of the 1977 election, things had changed. Then they had a serious issue before them and also a strong leader. The Janata Party was bound by unity. But, after the election, there was a stiff competition for the prime ministership. There was Morarji Desai who opposed Mrs. Gandhi since 1966. Then there was Charan Singh, the leader of Bhartiya Lok Dal.

There was also Jagjivan Ram, who was an experienced Minister in many Congress Ministries. Finally Morarji Desai became the PM. But that did not solve the problems in the Janata Party.Janata Party was just a group of parties that joined together because of Emergency. It had no sense of direction or a definite goal. It failed to bring about any fundamental change. In 18 months, it lost its majority.

Then Congress supported the Charan Singh Ministry. But very soon Congress withdrew its support. Charan Singh was in power only for 4 months. In the election of 1980, the Janata Party lost badly. Congress under Indira Gandhi came back to power with a big majority. Later Congress became a Party that sought the support of many other parties and interest groups arguing that it was a party with a Socialist leaning working for the welfare of the poor.

Question 18.
The Congress Party justified the implementation of emergency. It wanted to use the emergency to bring law and order, restore efficiency and to implement the proper welfare programmes. Try to write a brief note about the positive actions of Indira Gandhi government during emergency.
Answer:
Indira Gandhi declared a 20-point Programme. Some of the programmes were land reform, land distribution, increasing agricultural wages, representation of workers in the management and abolition of forced or compulsory labour. In the beginning the urban and middle class people were happy because there were no protests and agitations, strikes and hartals. Discipline was good. The poor people thought welfare schemes would bring them prosperity. Thus different people had different views and different expectations about the Emergency.

Question 19.
‘Shah Commission’ is the commission appointed to inquire into several aspects of emergency proclaimed on the 25th June 1975. Prepare a brief note about Shah Commission.
Answer:
J.C. Shah was a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Janata Government set up a commission under his chairmanship to look into the charges made against the government during the Emergency period. The Shah Commission made detailed enquiries. Indira Gandhi also appeared before the Commission but she did not answer any question put to her.The findings, observations and recommendations were approved by the Janata Government. The report was presented in both the Loa Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Question 20.
Railway is the biggest public sector undertaking in India. The functioning of Railway is closely associated with the economy of the country. But in 1974 the Railway employees started a nationwide strike. Do you think such a strike can be justified? Express your opinion in the light of ,1974 Railway Strike.
Answer:
The National Coordination Committee for Railwaymen, under the leadership of George Fernandez, embarked on a nationwide strike to press for their demands. Since railway service came under essential services, some questions were asked. Is the strike legal? Can the workers strike for claiming certain things? The Government declared the strike illegal. It did not approve the demands of the workers. Prominent leaders were arrested and border security personnel were deployed for the protection of the railway tracks. The strike was called off after 20 days without arriving at any solution.

In my opinion, workers have the right to make reasonable demands as India is a democratic country. But it should not be done in such a way by making the country come to a standstill. Sabotaging the economic security of the country is illegal and like treason. If the strike was because the authorities refused to pay reasonable salaries and other facilities, the strike could be justified to an extent. But here the strike was for an increase in their bonus and getting other benefits. Therefore their strike can’t be justified.

Question 21.
‘Naxalite’ is a general term used to indicate those persons who follow extra constitutional methods to achieve their objectives. Express your opinion about the Naxalite movement in the light of Naxalite movement in India.
Answer:
The word Naxalite came from a peasant revolt in Naxalbari, a hilly region in Darjeeling in West Bengal. The leaders of this revolt were the local leaders of the CPI (M). Later it came to be known as the Naxalite Movement. In 1969, a new Party different from CPI (M) was formed and it was called CPI (ML). Charu Majumdar was its leader. The CPI (ML) resorted to Guerrilla tactics to press their claims.

The Naxalites forcefully took land from the rich people and gave Tito the poor peasants. They think that for achieving one’s goal one can use violence. Although strict actions were taken against the Naxalite Movement, it was not possible to suppress it completely. Recently in the Nandigram issue, the Naxalites became strong. In some areas Maoists are getting strong. This is an issue that should be carefully handled by the Central and State Governments. The growth of Naxalites might jeopardise the peaceful life of the country.

Additional Questions

Question 1.
Describe the term ‘Committed Bureaucracy’.
Answer:
Committed Bureaucracy means the government officials must be willing to carry out the principles and policies of the ruling party. They should do things as directed by the Party. It means the officials should be loyal not only to what is written in the Constitution but also to the Ruling Party. In countries like China we can see committed bureaucracy.

Question 2.
What do you know about Railway strike of 1974?
Answer:
In 1974, the railway workers demanded bonus and better service conditions. But the government did not accede to their demands. To put pressure on the government, the railway workers, under George Fernandez, went on a nation-wide strike.

Question 3.
What do you understand by Civil Liberties Organisation?
Answer:
Civil Liberties Organization came as a result of the Emergency. Two Organizations named Civil Liberties Democratic Organization and People’s Organization for Democratic Rights were formed after the Emergency period.

Question 4.
Who was the leader of ’Congress for Democracy’?
Answer:
Jagjivan Ram

Question 5.
…………… was the first Prime Minister be-longing to a non-Congress Party.
Answer:
Morarji Desai

Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers

Kerala Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers Chapter 5 Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System

Question 1.
Which of these statements about the 1967 election is are correct ?
a) Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.
b) Congress lost both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
c) Congress lost majority in the Lok Sabha but formed a coalition government with the support of some other parties.
d) Congress retained power at the Center with an increased majority.
Answer:
a) Congress won the Lok Sabha elections but lost the Assembly elections in many states.

Question 2.
The term “Aya Ram, Gaya Ram” is associated with :

1. Corruption
2. Green Revolution
3. Politics of Defection
4. Decentralisation

Answer:
Politics of Defection

Question 3.
Match the following.

Answer:
a-iv; b-i; c-ii; d-iii

Question 4.
Whom would you identify with the following slogans/ phrases ?
a) Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
b) Indira Hatao
c) Garibi Hatao
Answer:
a. Lai Bahadur Sastri
b. Grand Alliance
c. Indira Gandhi

Question 5.
Which of the following statement about the Grand Alliance of 1971 is correct?
The Grand Alliance
a) was formed by non- Communist, non- Congress parties.
b) had a clear political and ideological programme.
c) was formed by all non- Congress parties.
Answer:
a) was formed by non- Communist, non- Congress parties.

Question 6.
Among the following leaders who is associated with the concept of ‘Non Congressism’
a) N. Sanjeeva Reddy.
b) Ram ManoharLohia
c) V.V.Giri
d) S. Nijalingappa
Answer:
b) Ram ManoharLohia

Question 7.
In the Presidential Election of 1969 one of the following leaders contested as the official candidate of congress. Identify the leader.
a) N.Sanjeeva Reddy.
b) V.V.Giri
c) Moraiji Deasi
d) Charan Singh
Answer:
a) N.Sanjeeva Reddy.

Question 8.
One of the following Prime Ministers proposed the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. Identify the Prime Minister.
a) Indira Gandhi.
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Lai Bahadur Sastri
d) Morarji Desai
Answer:
c) Lai Bahadur Sastri

Question 9.
The slogan “ Garibi Hatao” is associated with one of the following Prime Ministers Identify the Prime Minister.
a) N.Sanjeeva Reddy.
b) V.V.Giri
c) Morarji Deasi
d) Indira Gandhi
Answer:
d) Indira Gandhi

Question 10.
Identify the personalities associated with Tashkent
Agreement
a) Lai Bahadur Sastri
b) ……………..
Answer:
Muhammad Ayub Khan

Question 11.
Due to the split in the Congress, it was divided into two in 1969. Identify the ‘Groups’
a) Congress (O)
b) …………….
Answer:
Congress (R)

Question 12.
In 1971 General Election the opposition parties formed an alliance against congress. Identify the alliance.
a) National DemocraticAlliance
b) Great Alliance
c) GrandAlliance
d) United Progressive Alliance
Answer:
c) Grand Alliance

Question 13.
Succession was a major problem in almost all newly democratic countries. India faced this problem after the death of Nehru. Give a brief explanation about the successful outcome of this issue.
OR
“The new Prime Minister of India in spite of all forebodings, had been named with more dispatch, and much more dignity, than was the new Prime Minister of Britain”. This was the editorial comment of a news paper comparing the political succession after Nehru with the succession drama after Harold Macmillan in Britain. Do you think the succession after Nehru provided a sign of maturity of India’s democracy? Express your opinion.
Answer:
Nehru died on 27 May 1964. It brought a lot of confusion. Two questions arose: “Who would be his successor?” And “Will Democracy remain in India after the death of Nehru?” Democracy could not continue in many new countries. More over we faced many problems during that period, poverty, inequality, caste, religion, divisive tendencies etc were bothering us. Two incidents proved that democracy was strong in India and its leaders were mature enough to handle any situation.

The then Congress President K. Kamaraj and the leaders discussed the issue of succession and they chose Lai Bahadur Sastri to be the next leader and naturally he became the PM. Thus it was proved that the big question “Who After Nehru?” was not all that important.

There was also uncertainty at the untimely death of Lai Bahadur Sastri. He died soon after signing the Tashkent Agreement (10 January 1966). The competition was between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi. The elders of the Party supported Indira Gandhi. But her choice was not unanimous. Through secret ballot she was elected to the post of the PM. Thus democracy continued without any serious problem.

Question 14.
The senior Congress leaders believed that it must have been difficult for Indira Gandhi to lead the government. So her inexperience would compel her to be dependent on them for support and guidance. But she was able to gain control overthe party and started demonstrating her leadership skills. Can you explain how Indira Gandhi overcame the difficulties?
Hints :

1. Fourth general election, 1967.
2. Non Congressism.
3. Syndicate.
4. Defection.
5. Presidential Election 1969
6. The 1971 Election

Answer:
After Lai Bahadur Sastri, Indira Gandhi became the PM. Her coming to power was not through a unanimous decision. Morarji Desai had contested against Indira Gandhi. Indira was chosen through a secret ballot among the members of the Congress. The elderly leaders supported Indira. They thought that because of her lack of experience in administration, she would come to them for advice and suggestions. But Indira Gandhi soon proved that she could handle even difficult problems by herself.

During the 4th General Election, the country was experiencing some very difficult problems. There was lack of rain. There were droughts and food production was very low. Industrial output and export were also low. The Wars of 1962 and 1965 increased military expenses greatly. She overcame these problems through

proper planning, utilization of available resources and changes brought about in the economic policies. One of her first decision was to fight inflation by devaluing the Indian Rupee. Many people thought that she devalued the Rupee under pressure from the US. This devaluation increased the price of essential goods. The lack of foodstuff and unemployment adversely affected the financial well-being of the nation. People started reacting. There were hartals and bandhs here and there. The government looked at them as a law and order problem. Indira had to answer questions put forward by the Opposition.

The Communist Party and the Socialist Party began protests. The CPI (M) even organized armed struggle and agricultural worker’s protests. The Opposition Parties came together against the policies of the government. They thought that Indira’s inexperience and the groupism in the ruling party would enable them to topple the government. Ram Manohar Lohia spoke about “Non-Congressism”. In his view the Congress rule was
anti-democratic and against the interest of the masses. The big Hindu-Muslim riots after independence also occurred at this time.

It was during this confused state of affairs, the first election after Nehru’s death was conducted. The result was favourable to Congress. It was a ‘political earthquake’. Congress was able to retain its majority in the Lok Sabha. But it was a very small majority. In many States it lost power.

There was a popular talk at that time. It meant that if you took a train from Delhi to Howrah, you would not pass through any Congress ruled State. Defections helped in forming non-Congress governments in many places. The biggest challenge Indira Gandhi had to face was not from the Opposition but from her own party.

She had to a face a powerful Syndicate in the party itself working against her. But soon she was able to take control and took strong measures. She did certain things showing her leaning towards the Left. In 1967, she formed a 10-point action plan. Banks were controlled, insurance was nationalized, and ceiling was set for urban property. She also carried out public distribution of food grains, land reforms, village housing schemes. Although the Syndicate agreed to these changes, it was not happy.

When Dr. Zakir Hussain died in 1969, there was election for the President. During this election the difference between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate came in the open. The Syndicate nominated Mr Sanjeeva Reddy. Indira Gandhi supported the then Vice President V.V. Giri as an independent candidate. It was around this time that she nationalized 14 banks and stopped the Privy Purse
given to the rulers of the Princely Sates. Morarji Desai opposed both these actions. He resigned from the Ministry.

In the Presidential election, the Congress President N. Nijalingappa asked the Congress MPs and MLAs sto vote for N. Sanjeeva Reddy. Silently supporting V.V. Giri, Indira asked the MPs and MLAs to vote according to their conscience. Ultimately V.V. Giri was elected President. The failure of the official candidate to win, split the Party. The Party ousted Indira Gandhi. But she claimed the real party was her party. The Congress Party of the Syndicate was called Congress (O) and the Congress Party of Indira was called Congress (R). (O) meant Organization and (R) meant Requisitionist. Indira Gandhi termed this division as an ideological division between Socialists and Conservatives and the poor and the rich.

The split in the Congress Party reduced the majority of Indira Gandhi’s government. But with help from the CPI and DMK, the government continued. During this time Indira Gandhi brought strong land reforms bills. In 1970 she recommended the dissolution of the Lok Sabha as she did not want to rule with the help of some other parties. This election was between Congress (O) and Congress (R) and also the Grand Alliance.

The Opposition had only one agenda – remove Indira Gandhi from power. But Indira Gandhi came out with another powerful slogan “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty). Her dream was to have a self-sufficient India. The 1971 election was favourable to the Congress (R) and the CPI. They got 375 seats. By claiming that her Congress was the original Congress, Indira was able to gain the upper hand in Indian politics.

Question 15
After the fourth general election there emerged a popular saying that “one could take a train from Delhi to Howrah and not pass through a single congress ruled state”. Can you recollect the reason behind this saying?
OR
The observers described the election result of the fourth election as a political earthquake’. This result brought some fundamental changes in Indian politics. Can you evaluate the general election result of 1967?
Answer:
From 1952 elections, until the 4th election, Congress could gain clear majority in both the Centre and States. But with the 4th election things changed. The financial crisis, succession following the death of Lai Bahadur Sastri, the devaluation ofthe Indian Rupee, inflation – all these things adversely affected the Congress. It was the first election after the death of Nehru. The Opposition Parties joined togetherto fight the Congress.

In the circumstances, the election result was a real earthquake. Although Congress could maintain its majority in the LokSabha, it was the smallest majority so far. Almost half of the ministers in the Indira Ministry failed to be relected. In 7 States Congress lost power. In two other States, because of Defection, Congress could not form governments. Thus 9 States – Punjab, Haryana, UP, MP, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Madras and Kerala were lost by the Congress. In Madras a regional party, the DMK, came to power with clear majority. This was the first Non-Congress, single party government. In the other 8 States coalition governments were formed. That is how the popular saying emerged.

Question 16.
Aya Ram, Gaya Ram’ was a political usage developed after 1967 general election. Can you identify the feature this usage represents.
1. Coalition.
2. Non-Congressism.
3. Defection.
4. Syndicate.
Answer:
Defection

Question 17.
“Aya Ram, Gaya Ram” is a usage developed due to defection which means an elected representative leaves the party on whose symbol he/she was elected and joins another party. Can you narrate the story of Aya Ram, Gaya Ram’?
Answer:
Literally speaking the saying means “Ram came, Ram went”. But this shows defection by MPs and MLAs, In 1967, an MLA named Gayalal made a defection in Haryana. He changed his party 3 times in 2 weeks. From Congress he went to the United Front, then he came back to the Congress and then, after 9 hours, he went back to the United Front. It was his quick defections that gave birth to this saying.

Question 18.
The period of 1960s was labeled as the ‘Dangerous Decade’ for Indian Democracy. Can you briefly list the reasons for this description?
Answer:

1. During this period we had to fight two wars – with China and Pakistan.
2. The death of Nehru adversely affected the rebuilding of the nation.
3. Problems like poverty, inequality, religious and caste differences, regional divisive tendencies etc became challenges to democracy and nation-building.
4. Lack of rain causing droughts, insufficient food production, shortage of grain, shortfall in industrial production etc threatened our economic security.
5. Increased military expenses, spending money earmarked for certain projects for other things adversely affected developmental programmes.
6. Because of the devaluation of the Indian Rupee, prices of things went up.
7. The Hindu-Muslim Riots.
8. The split in the Congress because of the issue of succession.
9. The lack of a political party which could replace Congress in power.

Question 19.
During 1960’s the Indian political scenario witnessed some major developments. Some ofthe major con¬cepts during this period are mentioned below. Con you explain them?

• Non Congressism.
• Coalitions.
• Defections.
• Syndicate.
• Privy Purse.
• Garibi Hatao.

Answer:
Non-Congressism:
With the 4th Lok Sabha elections, the opposition Parties realized that it was their disunity that made the Congress come to power every time. So they decided to work together. They had to make compromises to achieve this unity. They thought that they could defeat Congress by capitalizing on the inexperience of Indira Gandhi and the internal squabbles in the Congress itself, it was Ram Manohar Lohia that put forward this idea. His argument was that Congress rule was not democratic and pro-masses. So he wanted all the Opposition Parties to unite against Congress.

Coalition Partners:
In the 1967 elections, Congress could not get majority in many States. No single party had the majority to make the government. So some non-Congress parties joined together and formed governments. This was known as SVD Governments (Samyukta Vidhayak Dal Governments). Thus there were SVD Popular and United Front governments.

Defection:
This is the name given to a situation where a candidate joins another Party after winning the election. He contests as a member of one party and when he wins, he joins another party because of some selfish interests. After the 1967 elections, Defection helped in the formation of some governments and also the fall of other governments.

Syndicate:
Syndicate is the group of powerful and influential leaders. Syndicate had done a lotto make Indira Gandhi Prime Minister. The Syndicate members thought that Indira would act according to their wishes. The prominent members of the Syndicate were K. Kamaraj, S.K. Patil, S. Nijalingappa, N. Sanjeeva Reddy and Atulya Ghosh.

Privy Purse:
After independence, the Princely States were integrated into the Indian Union. But the ruling families were allowed to keep some landed properties and they were to be given some annual grant by the Government. This grant is called Privy Purse. When Indira Gandhi won in the 1971 election, she stopped the Privy Purse.

Garibi Hatao:
In the 5th election, Indira Gandhi had to fight against Congress (O) as well as the other Opposition Parties. The Opposition had no fixed agenda. Indira Gandhi said they had only one agenda and that was “Remove Indira”. Asa counter slogan to this one she came out with a new slogan “Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty). This slogan attracted the poor and landless people to her Congress (R).

Question 20.
After the split in congress in 1969 the group led by Indira Gandhi was known as ‘Congress ( R) or Requisitions or New Congress’. Can you identify the reason behind considering this group as requisitions.
Answer:
In 1969, the differences between Indira Gandhi and the Syndicate came out in the open. After the death of Zakir Hussain, the Syndicate nominated N. Sanjeeva Reddy as the Presidential Candidate. But Indira Gandhi supported the then Vice President V.V. Giri as the Presidential candidate. Before the elec¬tion the Congress President S. Nijalingappa asked all the MPs and MLAs of the Congress to vote for Sanjeeva Reddy. The followers of Indira Gandhi wanted a meeting of the AICCto discuss the issue but it was not convened. Because of this requisition forthe meeting, the group supporting Indira Gandhi was called Requisition  Group – (Congress (R).

Additional Questions

Question 1
What do you mean by Coalition government?
Answer:
When, after election, no political party gets a clear majority, many parties join together to form the government. When a government is formed by a group of different parties, it is called Coalition Government (Ministry). In other words in the Coalition Government, there will be two or more political parties. The most important characteristic of this type of government is its uncertainty.

Question 2.
won an election in India with the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’.
Answer:
Congress

Question 3.
…………… was the founder of Congress Socialist Party.
Answer:
Ram Manohar Lohia

Question 4.
Whom would you identify with the following slogans/ phrase?
Answer:
a) Lai Bahadur Sastri
b) Grand Alliance
c) Indira Gandhi

Plus Two Political Science Chapter Wise Questions and Answers