Regional aspirations
1. Match the following.
A B
Nature of regional aspirations States
(a) Socio-religious identity i. Nagaland /Mizoram
leading to statehood
(b) Linguistic identity and ii. Jharkhand /Chattisgarh
tensions with Centre
(c) Regional imbalance leading iii. Punjab
to demand for Statehood
(d) Secessionist demands on iv. Tamil Nadu
account of tribal identity
Answer: (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i).
2. Regional aspirations of the people of North-East get expressed
in different ways. These include movements against outsiders,
movement for greater autonomy and movement for separate national
existence. On the map of the North-East, using different shades for
these three, show the States where these expressions are prominently
found.
Answer: Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (see map at end of chapter).
3. What were the main provisions of the Punjab accord? In what way
can they be the basis for further tensions between the Punjab and its
neighbouring States?
Answer:
The Punjab Accord was an agreement signed in 1985 between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Akali Dal President Harchand Singh Langwal, known as the 'Rajiv Gandhi Langwal Agreement' and would also bring normalcy to Punjab:
1. transferred to Chandigarh Punjab.
2. Appointment of a separate commission to resolve border disputes between Punjab and Haryana.
3. Establishment of a Tribunal to settle the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
4. Consent to better treatment of people affected by extremism in Punjab.
5. IP Punjab to withdraw Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
But, peace could not be established easily in the Punjab and the result was as follows:
(a) This resulted in many excessive harassments and human rights violations by the police.
(b) It fragmented the Akali party.
(c) Presidential rule was imposed and the normal political process was suspended.
(c) President’s rule was imposed and normal political process was suspended.
(id) 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.
4. Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?
Answer:
The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was adopted at the Akali Dal Conference at Anandpur Sahib in 1973:
(а) Determination of regional autonomy and redefinition of Centre-State relations.
(b) Sikh aspirations aimed at 'bolbala' (supremacy).
(c) Despite having a federal spirit, it can also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh state.
But, it was controversial for the following reasons:
1. United had appeal due to the lack of popularity of the Akali team proposal.
2. The Akali government was sacked in the 1980s, it lost its importance.
3. The Akali Dal launched a movement on water distribution between Punjab and its neighboring states.
4. The movement passed into the hands of the militant element of the moderate Akalis and turned into an armed rebellion for which Anandpur Sahib was considered to be the proposer.
5. Explain the internal divisions of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and
describe how these lead to multiple regional aspirations in that State.
Answer:
Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions:
1. Kashmir region is Kashmiri speaking and mostly Muslim and Kashmiri speaking Muslim with Hindu minority.
2. There are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and speakers of various languages in the Jammu region, in the foothills and plains.
3. The Ladakh region is equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims and maintains a small population.
These internal divisions led to multiple regional aspirations:
1. a stream of separatists to demand a separate Kashmiri state independent of India and Pakistan.
2. Other groups want Kashmir to be united with Pakistan.
3. The third strand seeks greater autonomy for state people within the Indian Union.
4. Demand for interstate autonomy
as strong as the claim to state autonomy.
In the current situation, most of the separatists in the talks are trying to renegotiate the state's relationship with India.
6. What are the various positions on the issue of regional autonomy for
Kashmir? Which of these do you think are justifiable? Give reasons for
your answer.
Answer:
On the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir, the following positions are such states:
1. Kashmiris were promised acquisition regarding people once the situation created by the tribal aggression returned to normal. However, it has not been met, therefore, creating a demand for a "referendum".
2. At times, it was felt that the special federal status guaranteed by Article 370-was practically curtailed thereby demanding restoration of autonomy or "greater state autonomy".
3. It is felt that democracy prevailing in the rest of India has not been institutionalized in the same way in Jammu and Kashmir.
We prefer the first position as the 'referendum' provides a better opportunity for the people of J&K to secure and uphold their regional autonomy in the most democratic manner.
7. The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic
backwardness. Explain.
Answer:
Because:
1. Maintaining the cultural integration of Assam was against outsiders.
2. Despite having natural resources like tea, coal and oil, there was widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam.
3. it was felt that these were put out of state without any corresponding benefit to the people.
8. All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands. Explain
by giving examples from this chapter.
Answer:
1. Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics.
2. The expression of regional problems is not an uncommon phenomenon.
3. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland have regional aspirations in the United Kingdom.
4. Responses to regional movements
Through democratic dialogue rather than repression. –
5. Examples of this are in the 1980s, when the military emerged in Punjab, problems continued in the North East, and angry students were boiling in the Assam and Kashmir Valleys.
6. The Government of India maintains some dialogue with these regional aspirations to reduce tensions in many areas.
7. Mizoram is an example of political solution to effectively resolve the issue of secession.
9. Regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle
of unity with diversity. Do you agree? Give reasons.
10. Read the passage and answer the questions below:
One of Hazarika’s songs.. … dwells on the unity theme; the seven
states of north-eastern India become seven sisters born of the same
mother. …. ‘Meghalaya went own way…., Arunachal too separated
Answer:
Yes, we agree with the statement because India adopted a democratic approach on these regional aspirations in place of considering them as anti-national:
1. India’s democratic politics allows people and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration, and specific regional problems.
2. India’s democratic politics focus on regional issues and problems to receive adequate attention and accommodation in the policy making process, i.e. regional aspirations of Assam, Punjab and North-East, Kashmir etc.
3. Its examples are in eighties, military erupted in Punjab, problems persisted in the North-East, students agitated in Assam and Kashmir valley was on the boil.
4. The government of India settled down some negotiations with these regional aspirations to reduce tensions in many regions.
5. Mizoram is an example of political settlement to resolve the problem of separation effectively.
It can be concluded that regional aspirations do not encourage separation but these respect diversity to retain unity in the nation.
10. Read the passage and answer the questions below:
One of Hazarika’s songs dwells
on the unity theme; the seven states of north-eastern India become seven sisters born of the same
mother ‘Meghalaya went own
way …., Arunachal too separated and Mizoram appeared in Assam’s gateway as a groom to marry another
daughter.’ The song ends with
a determination to keep the unity of the Assamese with other smaller nationalities that are left in the present-day Assam- ‘the Karbis and the Mising brothers and sisters are our dear ones.’
—Sanjib Baruah
(a) Which unity is the poet talking about?
(b) Why were some States of North¬East created separately out of the erstwhile State of Assam?
(c) Do you think that the same theme of unity could apply to all the regions of India? Why?
Answer: (a) The poet is talking about the Unity of Assamese.
(b) Because these states face that Assamese government was imposing Assamese language on them. Hence, regional aspirations began.
(c) Yes, same theme of unity could apply to all regions of India because Indian government deals with all these regional aspirations with respect to accommodate regional diversities.
