CHAPTER 17 : Regional Aspirations NCERT SOLUTION CLASS 12TH POLITICAL SCIENCE | EDUGROWN NOTES

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What does the special status given to J & K under Article 370 mean?
Answer: Article 370 signifies special status of Kashmir:
1. To give greater autonomy to J & K.
2. To specify that state has its own constitution.
3. All provisions of constitution are not applicable to state.

Q2. Highlight any two characteristics of Dravidian movement.
Answer: Dravidian movement was one of the first regional movements in Indian Politics
with the ambition to create a Dravid nation:
1. This movement used democratic means like public debates and the electoral platform to achieve its ends.
2. Due to this strategy, movements acquired political power in the state and became influential at national level.
3. Dravidian movement led to formation of‘Dravid Kazhagam’ (DK) under the leadership of Tamil Social reformer ‘E.V. Ramaswami Periyar’.

Q3. Mention the outcomes of Assam Accord of 1985.
Answer: ‘Assam Accord’ was signed between Rajiv Gandhi-led government and AASU leaders over the issue of ‘outsiders’ in 1985:
1. The foreigners who migrated into Assam during and after Bangladesh war and since were to be identified and deported.
2. The Asom G. ;,a Parishad came to power in 1985 with the promise of resolving the foreign national problems as well as to build a ‘Golden Assam’.

Q4. Which accord proved to be a turning point in the history of Mizoram? 
Answer: The accord between Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga of 1986 granted full fledged statehood with special powers to Mizoram. Even MNF (Mizo National Front) agreed to give up secessionists struggle.

Q5. What was the role of Congress in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir?
Answer: Congress dominated the politics of J & K between 1953 to 1974 in the following manner:
1. National Conference remained iconic power with the active support of Congress for sometime but later merged with the Congress.
2. The Congress gained direct control over the government in state.
3. The Congress party also made attempts to have an agreement between Sheikh Abdullah and Government of India.
4. In 1974, Indira Gandhi reached an agreement with Sheikh Abdullah and he became the Chief Minister of State.

Q6. Which communities wanted separate states in the North East region?
Answer: Despite reorganisation of North-East in 1972, autonomy demand arose:
1. Assam communities like Bodos, Karbis and Dimosas demanded separate states.
2. They mobilised public opinion and popular movement and same area was claimed by more than one community.
3. Federal set up satisfied their autonomy i.e. Karbis and Dimosas were granted autonomy under district councils while Bodos were granted autonomous council.

Q7. In what ways the issue of outsiders continues to be a live issue in Assam?
Answer: Assam Accord could not solve the problem of immigration:
1. The issue of‘outsiders’ continues to be alive issue.
2. In Tripura, the original inhabitants have been reduced to being a minority in North-East.
3. The same feelings formed the hostility of local population to Chakma refugees in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What was the main outcome of Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal accord in July 1985?
Answer: 1. Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
2. A separate commission to be appointed to resolve border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
3. A tribunal to be set up to settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
4. To withdraw the Armed forces special power Act in Punjab.

Q2. What was Goa problem? How was Goa liberated and how did it become part of Indian Union?
Answer. 1. Goa was under Portuguese alongwith Daman and Diu since 16th century.
2. We expected freedom in 1947 but Portugal refused to withdraw but the people of Goa wanted to merge with motherland.
3. People of Goa^suppressed from religious conversions and civil rights known as ‘Goa Problem’.
4. In 1961, with in two days Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated from Portugal rule under ‘Operation Vijay’ by Government of India.
5. Goa became part of India and in 1987, it attained the status of ‘State Position’.

Q3. Describe the outcome of Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973.
Answer: Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at the conference of Akali Dal at Anandpur Sahib in 1973:
(a) To ascertain regional autonomy and to redefine centre-state relations.
(b) Sikhs aspirations aimed at ‘bolbala’ of Sikhs.
(c) It could also be interpreted as a plea for separate sikh nation despite federal spirit.
But, it became controversial due to following reasons:
1. Due to lack of popularity of Akali Dal resolution had a United appeal.
2. Akali government was dismissed in 1980 and it lost its importance.
3. Akali Dal launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab, and its neighbouring states.
4. Movement went into the hands of extremist elements from moderate
Akalis and converted into armed insurgency for which Anandpur Sahib Resolution considered responsible.

Q4. State one similarity and one difference between the crisis in Punjab and Assam during 1980s.
Answer: Similarity- It was regional aspirations given to prior importance and solving the crisis through democratic negotiations. Differences- In Punjab, Akali Dal started the movement for formation of ‘Punjabi Sabha’ wdiereas in Assam, the crisis was against the people who were seen as outsiders or migrants who were considered to be competitors to employment opportunities.

Q5. How was DMK entered in Indian Politics? 
Answer: DMK i.e. Dravid Munetra Kazhagam entered in Indian politics with three demands in 1953-54:
1. To restore original name of Kallkudi railway station.
2. The addition of Tamil Cultural History in &hool curriculum.
3. To eliminate craft education scheme.

Q6. When did Independent India first use referendum procedure?
Answer: In 1967 in the case of Goa’s liberation:
1. In January 1967, the central government held a special ‘Opinion Poll’ in Goa asking people to decide it they wanted to be a part of Maharashtra or remain separate.
2. The majority was in favour of remaining outside of Maharashtra, thus Goa became a Union-territory.
3. Goa was granted statehood in 1987.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. Describe the secessionist movement of Mizos. How as per the provisions of constitution, was it resolved on accommodation of diversities?
Answer: 1. After independence, the Mizo hills was made an autonomous district within Assam.
2. Some Mizos believed that they were never a part of British India and not to belong to Indian Union.
3. The movement of secession gained popular support after Assam government failed to respond
adequately to great famine of 1959 in Mizo hills.
4. It led to formation of Mizo National Front (MNF) under leadership of Laldenga.
5. In 1966, the MNF started an armed campaign for independence.
6. The MNF fought gurilla war, got support from Pakistan government and secured shelter in then East Pakistan.
7. At the end oftwo decades ofinsurgency, Mizoram under leadership of Laldenga started negotiations with Indian government.
8. 1986, a peace-agreement was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga which granted statehood to Mizoram with special powers and MNF agreed to give up secessionist struggle.
9. Today, Mizoram is one of the most peaceful places in the region alongwith big strides in literacy and development.

Q2. “Regional aspirations, regional inbalances and regionalism are a hindrance in the way of national unity of India”. Do you agree with the statement?
Answer: Because:
1. Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics.
2. Expression of regional issues is not an abnormal phenomenon.
3. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland have regional aspirations in United Kingdom.
4. Regional movements are responded through democratic negotiations rather than suppression.
5. Its examples are in eighties, militancy erupted in Punjab, problems persisted in the North-East, students agitated in Assam and Kashmir Valley was on the boil.
6. The government of India settled down some negotiations with these
regional aspirations to reduce tensions in many regions.
7. Mizoram is an example of political settlement to resolve the problem of separation effectively.

Q3. What were the main provisions of Punjab Accord of 1985? How has peace been restored on seewar lines in Punjab?
Answer: Punjab Accord was an agreement signed between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, the then President of Akali Dal in 1985 to be known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi Longowal Accord’ also to create normalcy in Punjab:
1. Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
2. To appoint a separate commission to resolve border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
3. A tribunal to be set up to settle down sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
4. To withdraw the Armed forces special power Act in Punjab.
5. To provide agreement for compensation to better treatment to those affected by militancy in Punjab.
But, peace could not be established easily in Punjab and resulted:
(a) It led to many excesses by police and violation of human rights.
(b) If fragmented the Akali Dal.
(c) President’s rule was imposed and normal Political process was suspended.
(d) Hence, Political process could not be restored in this atmosphere. Even during elections in 1992, only 24% electors turned out to vote.
Consequently above mentioned added to tension between Punjab and its neighbouring states.