All questions of Politics in India Since Independence for UPSC CSE Exam

Apartheid is the practice of racial discrimination which means discrimination on the basis of body colour.

-"Garibi hatao " was the theme n Slogan of indra Gandhi
1971 election campaign n was later used by her son rajeev Gandhi n then by her grandson rahul gandhi during the general elections.
- It's literally meaning is remove poverty.
- It was designed by Gandhi to get an national support both from rural n urban side.
- It was a part of 5th" five year plans ".

The correct answer is option 'C', which states that the state of emergency was declared on 25th June, 1975. Let's explore the details behind this answer.

The State of Emergency in India:
The state of emergency refers to a period in which a government grants itself extraordinary powers to maintain law and order, often suspending certain civil liberties. In the case of India, the state of emergency was declared in 1975 due to a political crisis.

The Background:
- Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, declared a state of emergency on 25th June, 1975.
- The political climate leading up to the emergency was tumultuous, marked by widespread protests, strikes, and civil unrest.
- The government faced numerous challenges, including economic instability, rising inflation, and a sharp decline in public confidence.

Reasons for Declaring the State of Emergency:
- One of the primary reasons behind the declaration of the state of emergency was the controversial court ruling against Indira Gandhi. The Allahabad High Court found her guilty of electoral malpractices during the 1971 elections and declared her election to the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) as void.
- This ruling posed a significant threat to her political career and led to calls for her resignation. Fearing the loss of power, she made the decision to declare a state of emergency.
- Indira Gandhi justified the emergency as necessary to maintain law and order and prevent the destabilization of the nation.

Impact of the State of Emergency:
- The declaration of the state of emergency resulted in the suspension of civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to protest.
- The government arrested and detained numerous political leaders, activists, and journalists who were critical of the regime.
- Censorship was imposed on the media, and newspapers were heavily regulated.
- The state of emergency saw a consolidation of power within the government, with Indira Gandhi and her close associates exercising significant control over decision-making.
- The emergency lasted for a period of 21 months, during which the government implemented various controversial policies and faced widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the state of emergency in India was declared on 25th June, 1975, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It was a response to a political crisis triggered by a court ruling against her, which posed a threat to her political career. The emergency resulted in the suspension of civil liberties and the consolidation of power within the government. It lasted for 21 months and was marked by widespread criticism and controversy.

Understanding the Assertion and Reason
The assertion and reason in question revolve around the historical context of Hyderabad's accession to the Indian Union post-independence.
Assertion (A): The Nizam of Hyderabad resisted joining the Indian Union to maintain the state's independence.
- The Nizam, Mir Osman Ali, sought to retain Hyderabad's sovereignty.
- He was reluctant to integrate with India due to fears of losing power and autonomy.
Reason (R): The people of Hyderabad were largely in favor of joining the Indian Union and opposed the Nizam's rule.
- Many citizens supported the idea of joining India, partly due to dissatisfaction with the Nizam's autocratic governance.
- The popular sentiment favored integration to ensure democratic governance and social reforms.
Why Option 'B' is Correct
- Both assertion and reason are true.
- The Nizam's resistance was indeed aimed at preserving independence, reflecting his desire to maintain control.
- However, the people's support for joining the Indian Union did not directly explain the Nizam's actions. His resistance stemmed from a personal desire for power rather than a reflection of public sentiment.
Conclusion
In summary, while both the assertion and reason hold true, the reason does not accurately explain the assertion. The Nizam's motives were rooted in his own interests, making option 'B' the correct choice.

Introduction:
Rajiv Gandhi, the 6th Prime Minister of India, was assassinated on May 21, 1991. His assassination was a tragic event that shook the nation and left a lasting impact on Indian politics.

Explanation:
The correct answer to the question is option 'C' - 1991. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Background:
Rajiv Gandhi, the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, entered politics after her assassination in 1984. He served as the Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989.

2. Assassination:
On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated while attending an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist militant organization from Sri Lanka.

3. Events leading to the Assassination:
The LTTE had been fighting for an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka since the early 1980s. Rajiv Gandhi, during his tenure as Prime Minister, had sent the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka to intervene in the conflict. However, the IPKF faced opposition from both the LTTE and other factions in Sri Lanka, leading to a complex and challenging situation.

4. Motive behind the Assassination:
The LTTE perceived Rajiv Gandhi's intervention in Sri Lanka as a threat to their cause. They believed that his assassination would not only eliminate a powerful opponent but also draw international attention to their struggle for an independent Tamil state.

5. Immediate Aftermath:
The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi sent shockwaves across India and the world. The nation mourned his loss, and there was a massive outpouring of grief and anger. The LTTE was widely condemned for the act, and there were calls for justice and action against the organization.

6. Investigation and Trials:
Following the assassination, extensive investigations were carried out to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Several individuals, including LTTE members, were arrested and put on trial. In 1998, the trial concluded, and four individuals, including the suicide bomber, were convicted and sentenced to death.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in the year 1991. His assassination was a significant event in Indian history, marking a tragic loss for the nation and leaving a lasting impact on its political landscape.

The General Elections of 2004 resulted in a coalition government.

In the General Elections of 2004 in India, no single party was able to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament). As a result, a coalition government was formed with the support of multiple political parties. The coalition government was led by the Indian National Congress and its allies.

Reasons for the coalition government:

1. Lack of majority: None of the political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress, were able to secure the required number of seats (272 out of 543) to form a government independently. This led to the necessity of forming a coalition government.

2. Regional diversity: India is a diverse country with multiple states, each having its own regional political parties. These regional parties play a crucial role in the formation of a coalition government. In 2004, several regional parties joined hands with the Congress to form a coalition government.

3. Anti-incumbency factor: The ruling party at that time, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), faced anti-incumbency sentiment due to various factors such as economic issues, internal conflicts, and dissatisfaction among certain sections of society. This contributed to the fragmentation of votes and the formation of a coalition government.

4. United Progressive Alliance (UPA): The coalition government formed after the 2004 elections was known as the United Progressive Alliance. It consisted of various political parties, including the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Nationalist Congress Party, and others.

Impact of the coalition government:

1. Stability and governance: The coalition government faced challenges in terms of decision-making and policy implementation due to the involvement of multiple parties with different ideologies. However, it managed to provide a stable government and effectively govern the country for the next five years.

2. Policy reforms: The coalition government focused on implementing various policy reforms in sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and rural development. It introduced initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and Right to Information Act (RTI), which had a significant impact on the lives of the people.

3. Foreign policy: The coalition government pursued a balanced foreign policy approach, maintaining relations with both the United States and other major powers, as well as strengthening ties with neighboring countries. It played a crucial role in shaping India's position on global issues.

In conclusion, the General Elections of 2004 in India resulted in a coalition government due to the lack of a single party securing a majority. The coalition government led by the Indian National Congress successfully governed the country for the next five years, implementing various policy reforms and maintaining stability.

Overview of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh
The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) was a significant political party in India, and understanding its foundation and ideologies is crucial for grasping its role in Indian politics.
Correct Statements
- i: The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was established in 1951.
This statement is correct. The BJS was founded in 1951 by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee as a political arm of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
- ii: The Jana Sangh was originally linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
This statement is also correct. The BJS was indeed linked to the RSS and was formed to promote Hindu nationalist ideas in the political sphere.
- iii: The Jana Sangh advocated for making English the official language of India.
This statement is incorrect. The Jana Sangh primarily advocated for Hindi as the national language, aligning with its nationalist ideology.
- iv: The Jana Sangh had limited success in the 1952 and 1957 general elections.
This statement is correct. The BJS did face challenges in gaining substantial political traction during these elections, reflecting its limited success.
Conclusion
Based on the evaluations, the correct statements are i, ii, and iv. Therefore, option 'D' (i, ii, and iv) is indeed the correct answer. The BJS played a foundational role in shaping the political landscape of India, emphasizing Hindu nationalism and advocating for cultural unity.