NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Politics in India since Independence Chapter 7: Regional Aspirations

Chapter at a glance

Exercises

Answer

(a)–iii, (b)–iv, (c)–ii, (d)–i.

Answer

(On an outline map of the North-East, use three shades as follows.)

Shade Assam (also Tripura, Meghalaya) for movements against outsiders; Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and autonomy demands in Assam for greater autonomy; Nagaland and Mizoram (pre-1986) for separate national existence.

Answer

The Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord (Punjab Accord), July 1985, provided:

1. Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
2. A separate commission would resolve the boundary dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
3. A tribunal would decide the sharing of Ravi–Beas waters among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
4. Compensation and better treatment for those affected by militancy; withdrawal of the AFSPA from Punjab.
5. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution would be referred to the Sarkaria Commission (Centre–State relations).

Basis for further tensions

• Chandigarh has not been transferred; it remains a Union Territory and the capital of both Punjab and Haryana – a continuing dispute.
• River water sharing (Ravi–Beas, Sutlej–Yamuna Link canal) is still a bitter dispute among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Boundary questions (Hindi-speaking areas of Punjab, Punjabi-speaking areas of Haryana) remain unresolved.

These issues continue to cause tension between Punjab and its neighbours.

The 1985 Accord promised Chandigarh to Punjab, a commission for the Punjab–Haryana boundary, a tribunal on Ravi–Beas water sharing, and compensation and relief for militancy victims; since Chandigarh, water sharing (SYL canal) and boundaries remain unresolved, they continue to cause tension with Haryana and Rajasthan.

Answer

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed by the Akali Dal in 1973. It:

1. Asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine Centre–State relations – the Centre’s powers should be limited to defence, foreign affairs, currency, communications and railways.
2. Spoke of the aspiration for the ‘bolbala’ (dominance/pre-eminence) of the Sikhs.

Why controversial

• Its demand for autonomy and Sikh pre-eminence was interpreted by many as a plea for a separate Sikh nation.
• Extremist groups later used it to demand Khalistan (a separate Sikh state), leading to militancy in the 1980s.
• It created fears in the rest of India of a threat to national unity, while the Akalis said it was only about federalism.

Passed by the Akali Dal in 1973, it sought greater autonomy for States (limiting the Centre to a few subjects) and spoke of Sikh ‘bolbala’; this was seen as a demand for a separate Sikh nation, and extremists later used it to demand Khalistan, making it controversial.

Answer

The (former) State of Jammu and Kashmir had three social and political regions:

1. Kashmir valley – mostly Kashmiri-speaking Muslims (with a small Kashmiri Pandit minority); centre of the demand for autonomy (and, among some groups, for independence or merger with Pakistan).
2. Jammu – foothills and plains; a mix of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, speaking Dogri, Punjabi and other languages; people here felt neglected by the valley-dominated government and demanded greater integration with India and regional autonomy.
3. Ladakh – mountainous, sparsely populated, with Buddhists and Muslims (Shia); it demanded Union Territory status and autonomy (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council).

Multiple regional aspirations

• The valley wanted greater autonomy (Article 370, restoration of the 1953 status); separatists demanded independence.
• Jammu and Ladakh resented the domination of the valley and demanded regional autonomy within the state or separation from it.
• There were also demands of internal minorities (Kashmiri Pandits, Gujjars, Paharis).

These differing aspirations made the problem complex. (In 2019, Article 370 was abrogated and the State was reorganised into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.)

J&K had three regions – the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, the mixed Hindu–Muslim–Sikh Jammu region, and Buddhist–Muslim Ladakh; the valley sought autonomy (some groups secession), while Jammu and Ladakh resented valley dominance and sought regional autonomy or separation, producing multiple aspirations (resolved in 2019 by creating two UTs).

Answer

Positions

1. Greater autonomy within India – the National Conference and others wanted the restoration of the pre-1953 status (autonomy under Article 370, with the Centre limited to defence, foreign affairs and communications).
2. Full integration with India – some (e.g. the BJP, Jammu-based groups) wanted the abrogation of Article 370 and full integration, like other States (achieved in 2019).
3. Separatist positions – some groups demanded independence (azadi) or merger with Pakistan.
4. Regional autonomy within the State – Jammu and Ladakh wanted autonomy within or separation from the State.
5. A middle position – autonomy plus internal regional autonomy for each region, democratic decentralisation.

Justifiable position (opinion): the demand for democratic autonomy within the framework of the Indian Constitution, combined with regional autonomy for Jammu and Ladakh and protection of the rights of all communities, is the most justifiable. It respects the identity and aspirations of people while preserving the unity and integrity of India. Secessionist demands are not justifiable, as they threaten national integrity and are often supported by violence and external interference. Development, democracy and dialogue are essential.

Positions ranged from greater autonomy within India (restoring pre-1953 status), full integration (abrogating Article 370), to secession (independence or merger with Pakistan), plus regional autonomy for Jammu and Ladakh; democratic autonomy within the Constitution, with regional autonomy and rights for all, is most justifiable, while secessionism is not.

Answer

The Assam movement (1979–1985), led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad, demanded the detection and deportation of ‘outsiders’ (illegal migrants, mainly from Bangladesh) and protection of Assamese identity.

Cultural pride

• The Assamese feared that large-scale migration would make them a minority in their own land and threaten their language, culture and identity.
• Migrants were seen as a threat to Assamese cultural and political dominance.

Economic backwardness

• Despite rich resources (oil, tea, coal), Assam remained poor; people felt that the benefits of its resources went outside (oil refined elsewhere; tea industry controlled by outsiders).
• Unemployment and competition for land and jobs with migrants created resentment.

The movement ended with the Assam Accord (1985) – detection and deportation of foreigners who came after 1971, and economic development measures; the AGP formed the government. Thus it combined cultural concerns and economic grievances.

The movement (1979–85) against illegal migrants combined fear that outsiders would swamp Assamese language, culture and identity with resentment that Assam stayed poor and unemployed despite its oil and tea wealth, which benefited outsiders; it ended with the 1985 Assam Accord.

Answer

Most regional movements in India seek autonomy, recognition or development within the Indian Union, not separation:

1. Dravidian movement (Tamil Nadu) – began with a demand for a separate Dravida Nadu but gave it up; it focused on Tamil language and culture and anti-Hindi agitation; the DMK and AIADMK now participate in national politics.
2. Punjabi Suba movement – demanded a Punjabi-speaking State, achieved in 1966; the Akali Dal demanded autonomy (Anandpur Sahib Resolution) within India.
3. North-East – demands for separate States such as Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura (1972), Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram (1987) were met through reorganisation; the Mizo movement, once secessionist, ended with the 1986 accord and the MNF joined democratic politics.
4. Assam movement – against outsiders, not for secession; ended with the Assam Accord (1985).
5. Demands for new States – Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand (2000), Telangana (2014) – based on regional imbalance, achieved within the Union.

These show that regional aspirations can be accommodated through democratic negotiation and federalism.

Many regional movements sought autonomy or statehood within India – the Dravidian movement dropped separatism, the Punjabi Suba was created in 1966, North-East States like Meghalaya and Mizoram were formed (the Mizo accord of 1986), the Assam movement ended in an accord, and Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Telangana were created.

Answer

Yes.

1. India is a land of diversity – languages, religions, cultures, regions; regional demands are an expression of this diversity.
2. The Indian approach is unity in diversity – the nation accommodates regional identities through federalism, linguistic reorganisation of States, special provisions (e.g. Article 371 for some States, Sixth Schedule for tribal areas) and autonomous councils.
3. Democratic negotiation – most demands were met through dialogue and accords (Punjab, Mizoram, Assam, Bodo accords), not suppression; regional parties became part of national coalitions.
4. Regional aspirations strengthen democracy – they give voice to people and ensure balanced development.
5. Despite many regional movements, India has remained united; very few have succeeded in becoming secessionist.

Thus accommodation of diversity is the basis of India’s unity.

Yes – India accommodates regional identities through federalism, linguistic States, special provisions and negotiated accords; regional parties join national politics, and India remains united while respecting diversity.

Answer

(a) The poet (Bhupen Hazarika) is talking about the unity of the seven States of north-eastern India – the “seven sisters” born of the same mother (Assam) – and especially the unity of the Assamese with the smaller nationalities (Karbis, Missings and others) still within Assam.

(b) Some States were created separately because the tribal and non-Assamese communities felt that the Assamese language and culture were being imposed on them (Assamese was made the official language) and that they were politically and economically neglected. They wanted to protect their distinct identities, cultures and autonomy. So Meghalaya (1972), Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (1987), Nagaland (1963) were carved out of Assam.

(c) Yes. The same theme – unity amid diversity – applies to all regions of India. Different linguistic, religious and ethnic groups have their own identities, but they share a common history and nationhood. Recognising and respecting regional identities while strengthening bonds of common citizenship, as the song suggests, is the basis of national unity across India.

1. The unity of the ‘seven sisters’ of the North-East, and of the Assamese with the smaller communities still in Assam; (b) tribal groups resented the imposition of Assamese language and culture and neglect, so they sought separate States to protect their identity and autonomy; (c) yes – respecting diverse identities while keeping common bonds is the basis of unity everywhere in India.

Topic checklist

• ☒ Nature of regional aspirations (Q 1, 8, 9)
• ☒ North-East – autonomy, secession, outsiders, Assam movement (Q 2, 7, 10)
• ☒ Punjab – Anandpur Sahib Resolution and Punjab Accord (Q 3, 4)
• ☒ Jammu and Kashmir (Q 5, 6)

Total questions answered: 10 of 10