Chapter 3 - India’s Internal Challenges
1. Answer the following questions in detail.
(1) Which demands were put forward through the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’ by the Akali Dal?
Ans:
In 1973, the Akali Dal passed the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’. The following demands were made in this resolution:
(i) Chandigarh should be made part of Punjab.
(ii) The Punjabi-speaking parts of other states should be included in the state of Punjab.
(iii) The recruitment of people from Punjab in the Indian army should be increased.
(iv) More autonomy should be given to the state of Punjab.
(2) What can we do to end communalism?
Ans:
(i) It is necessary that we all counter communalism with all our strength. For this, we should mix with people of different religions. We should accept each other’s good practices and ideas.
(ii) We should be able to look at and understand our economic and social problems rationally. We should not mix these matters with religion.
(iii) We should look for the economic, political, or historical reasons that are responsible for disrupting religious harmony. This is the only way to put an end to communalism and strengthen national unity.
(3) When does regionalism become strong?
Ans:
(i) Regionalism sees one’s own region as superior to other regions. It develops mainly due to the developmental differences between two regions.
(ii) Regionalism refers to an over-adherence to the language, culture, socio-political structures, and economic growth of one’s own region or territory, which leads to disregard for people of other regions.
(iii) It is grounded in the uneven industrial and infrastructural development of various regions of the same nation. For example, states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu are well developed economically and industrially, whereas states like Odisha, Bihar, and Assam have remained undeveloped economically and industrially.
(iv) The disparity in availability of education, employment, and other civic amenities between developed and backward regions of the country leads to regionalism.
(v) The people of economically backward states often feel neglected and deprived, whereas the people of developed states might become narrow-minded and refuse to share the benefits of their development.
(vi) This is how regionalism becomes strong.
2. Write short notes on
(1) Communalism
Ans:
(i) Communalism can be described as the lack of trust and belongingness among various religious communities in a nation.
(ii) Fear, jealousy, and hostility grow out of irrational notions and prejudices that the people of a particular community may harbour for other religious faiths.
(iii) A sense of superiority toward one’s own religion becomes inconsistent with ideals like unity and secularism.
(iv) People who have excessive pride in their own religion or ethnicity might disrespect or hurt the members of other communities. Hence, communalism is an anti-national ideology.
(2) Regionalism
Ans:
(i) Regionalism refers to an over-adherence to the language, culture, socio-political structures, and economic growth of one’s own region or territory, which leads to disregard for people of other regions.
(ii) It is grounded in the uneven industrial and infrastructural development of various regions of the same nation. For example, states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu are well developed economically and industrially, whereas states like Odisha, Bihar, and Assam have remained undeveloped economically and industrially.
(iii) The disparity in availability of education, employment, and other civic amenities between developed and backward regions of the country leads to regionalism.
(iv) The people of economically backward states often feel neglected and deprived, whereas the people of developed states might become narrow-minded and refuse to share the benefits of their development.
3. Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) It became necessary to carry out the ‘Operation Blue Star’.
Ans:
(i) In 1980, the movement for ‘Independent Khalistan’ took root in Punjab.
(ii) During that period, the leader of the Akali Dal was Sant Harcharan Singh Longowal. He used to direct his activists from the Golden Temple to stage protests.
(iii) On the other side of the Golden Temple, armed followers started gathering around staunch Khalistan supporter Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. During that period, terrorist activities began.
(iv) Bhindranwale was arrested in 1981, accused of the murder of newspaper editor Lala Jagatnarayan. After this incident, the situation worsened.
(v) Due to these developments, President’s Rule was imposed in Punjab in 1983.
(vi) Bhindranwale went to stay at a religious place called Akal Takht.
(vii) Bhindranwale’s followers captured the Golden Temple and built a barricade of sandbags over there. The area looked like a fort.
(viii) This greatly disturbed peace in Punjab. It was a major challenge to Indian democracy.
(2) We should fight communalism with all our strength.
Ans:
(i) It is necessary that we all counter religious communalism with all our strength.
(ii) For this to become a reality, we should mix with people of different religions. We should accept each other’s good practices and ideas.
(iii) We should be able to look at and understand our economic and social problems rationally. We should not mix these issues with religion.
(iv) We should look for the economic, political, or historical reasons that are responsible for disrupting religious harmony.
(v) This is the only way to put an end to communalism and strengthen national unity.
4. Write the full forms.
(1) MNF
Ans: Mizo National Front
(2) NNC
Ans: Naga National Council
(3) PLGA
Ans: People’s Liberation Guerilla Army