Class 12 Political Science Previous Year: Short Questions with Answers - Regional Aspirations

Q.1. “The best way to respond to regional aspirations is through democratic negotiations rather than through suppression." Justify the statement with examples.      [2024]
Ans. The best way to respond to regional aspirations is through democratic negotiations. For example, during the 1980s, the Militancy had erupted in Punjab; there were problems in the North-East; students in Assam were agitating and the Kashmir Valley was boiling. Instead of treating them by simple law and order, the Government of India negotiated settlements with regional movements. This produced a reconciliation (through the Punjab Accord, Assam Accord etc.) that reduced the tensions existing in many states. The example of Mizoram shows that political settlement can resolve the problems of separatism effectively.

Q.2. “Regional aspirations and their accommodation are an integral part of Indian democratic politics.” Support the statement with any two suitable arguments.   [2024]
Ans. 
(i) India is a union of states representing different regions. Every state or region has its own problems and needs. Hence in a democratic setup like India, every state/region/group/individual has the right to raise his/her problems.
(ii) Every region as a whole has some aspirations for their development or aspirations related to their culture/language etc.
(iii) So it becomes an integral part of India democratic politics to listen/address/accommodate their aspiration.

Q.3. How did India address the regional aspirations of the people? Explain with the help of any two examples.   [2024]
Ans. India has addressed the regional aspiration of the people in various ways: India has adopted the democratic process of negotiations to address the conflicts, demands , economic development and regional aspirations of the people, rather than suppression. Adequate attention was paid to political expression, regional issues and problems in accommodation and policy making process.
The students may support the answer with any two examples:
(i) Punjab Accord
(ii) Demand for antonomy in Assam.
(iii) Movement against outsiders in Assam leading to signing of Assam Accord.
(iv) Signing of Mizoram Accord.
(v) Kashmir issue.
(vi) Creation of new states on linguistic basis.
(vii) Creation of new states on the basis of separation regional culture or complains of regional imbalance in development.

Q.4. Mention any two provisions of the Punjab Accord signed by Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal in 1985.    [2024]
Ans. Provisions of Punjab Accord:
(i) Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
(ii) To appoint a separate commission to resolve border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
(iii) To set up a tribunal to settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
(iv) The agreement also provided for compensation to better treatment to those affected by militancy in Punjab.
(v) To withdraw the Armed forces special power Act in Punjab.

Q.5. Assess the role played by Akali Dal, a regional party, in the politics of Punjab. [2023]
Ans. 
(i) Akali Dal had led  the movement for the formation of Punjabi Sabha.
(ii) In 1966, Punjabi -speaking areas were included in the newly created state of Punjab.
(iii) Akali Dal formed it's first government in Punjab in 1967.
(iv) After years of political disturbances, the Akali Dal signed an agreement called the Punjab Accord in 1985.

Q.6. Identify any two states where the Central Government had to face separatist movements. Also name the leaders who led these movements.   [2023]
Ans. 
(i) Nagaland - Angami Zapu Phizo
(ii) Mizoram - Laldenga

Q.7. Name any four regional parties which have ever formed their government in any State.    [2023]
Ans. 
(i) BSP_ Bahujan Samajwadi Party-UttarPradesh
(ii) AGP-Asom GanaParishad-Assam
(iii) Akali Dal-Punjab
(iv) Shiv Sena-Maharashtra
(v) National Conference-J&K

Q.8. “All regional movements need not lead to separatist demands.” Justify the statement.     [2023]
Ans. The statement is justified: 

• Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics .
• Expression of regional issues is not an abnormal phenomenon. 
• Regional movements are responded through democratic negotiations rather than supression. 
• The Government of India adopted democratic negotiations to resolve issues. 
• The following examples justify the statement For example there was militancy in Punjab, separatist movement for political autonomy in North East, students agitation in Assam and many other moments were resolved with the help of  negotiations with agitating parties. This process of Democratic negotition and to fulfil regional aspirations solved the issues. 

Q.9. Highlight any two reasons of the separatist movement in Mizoram.     [2023]
Ans. Reasons for separatist movement in Mizoram:
(i) Mizo people were of the opinion that they were never a part of British India.
(ii) The Assam government failed to manage the famine of 1959. Therefore, Mizos’ anger led to the formation of Mizo National Front.
(iii) Under the leadership of Laldenga MNF started an armed campaign demanding a separate state in 1966.

Q.10. Why was the judgment in the Shah Bano case challenged? Explain.     [2022]
Ans. This law-suit has substantiated to be a milestone in the struggle for rights, and freedom for Muslim women. The two issues raised against the judgement were: (a) Whether Section-125 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure is concerned with Muslims or not. (b) Whether the amount of Mehr given by the husband on divorce is adequate to get the husband rid off from the responsibilities and whether he is liable to maintain his wife or not.

Q.11. (a) Who opposed the concept of 'Capitalist Individualism' and why?     [2022]
OR
b) Explain the concept of 'Chouburja Rajneeti' as advocated by Ram Manohar Lohia.
Ans. 
(a) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay opposed the concept of `capitalist individualism' as he believed that it only focuses on the needs of human body and mind and thus, are based on materialistic purpose while neglects the spiritual development which is equally important for overall development of human being.
OR
(b) Lohiya advocated Chouburja Rajneeti in which he advocates four pillars of politics as well as socialism: Centre, Region, District and Village – all linked with each other. Giving consideration to affirmative action, Lohiya argued that the policy of affirmative action should not only be for the downtrodden but also for women and non-religious minorities. Based on the premise of Democratic Socialism and Chouburja Rajneeti, Lohiya supported a ‘Party of Socialism’ as an attempt of merging all political parties.

Q.12. Explain the principle of 'Integral Humanism', advocated by Deen Dayal Upadhyay.      [2022]
Ans. The philosophy of Integral Humanism, advocated by Deen Dayal Upadhyay, is based on the following three principles:
(i) Primacy of whole, not part
(ii) Supremacy of Dharma
(iii) Autonomy of Society

Q.13. Highlight any two characteristics of Dravidian movement.
Ans. The main characteristics are:
(i) The movement was the first regional movement of the country.
(ii) The movement became political at state level and influential at the national level.
(iii) The movement led to the formation of Draviar Kazhagam under the leadership of E.V. Ramasami Periyar.

Q.14. Who were the signatories of Punjab Accord of 1985? 
Ans. Rajiv Gandhi, then the Prime Minister of India and and Harchand Singh Longowal, then the President of Akali Dal.

Q.15. Why was operation Blue Star launched?  
Ans. In 1984, Operation Blue Star was launched by army and Government of India to evacuate the holy shrine from the militants. However it also damaged some parts of the holy shrine which hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Q.16. While the rest of the country was organised on linguistic lines in 1950s, why had Punjab to wait till 1966?
Ans. Akali Dal was leading the Punjabi Suba movement without getting full support of the non-Sikhs and other castes within Sikhs. The movement was not as strong as in other states. So Punjab had to wait.

Q.17. What was the main outcome of Rajiv GandhiLongowol Accord in July 1985?
Ans. Main outcome of the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord:
(i) It was agreed that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
(ii) A separate commission would be appointed to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
(iii) A tribunal would be set up to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water.
(iv) It also provided for compensation to and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.

Q.18. Why did the Anandpur Sahib Resolution become controversial?
Ans. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution became controversial due to:
(i) There was no popular support for Akali Dal and its resolutions.
(ii) The Akali Dal government got dismissed in 1980s.
(iii) The Akali Dal government started a movement for distribution of water of rivers between Punjab and other neighbouring states
(iv) At a later stage the movement was taken over by extremists and insurgents who posed a threat to the security of the country.

Q.19. Name the three social and political regions of the northernmost state of India.
Ans. The three regions of northern most state of India are Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Q.20. Name the Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir who belong to the same family but from three different generations.
Ans. Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.

Q.21. What does the special status given to J&K under Article 370 mean?
Ans. The special status of Kashmir under Article 370 of Constitution of India means that
(i) There is a separate constitution of the state.
(ii) All the provision of Constitution of India do not apply to the state.
(iii) The state of J&K has more autonomy as compared to any other state of India.

Q.22. Name the parties to which these leaders belong to: 
(i) Omar Abdullah 
(ii) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed 
(iii) Mehbooba Mufti 
(iv) Sheikh Abdullah
Ans. 
(i) National Conference
(ii) Peoples’ Democratic Party
(iii) Peoples’ Democratic Party
(iv) National Conference

Q.23. Throw some light on the internal dimension of the problem of Jammu and Kashmir.
Or 
Explain the internal divisions of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and describe how these led to multiple regional aspirations in that state.
Ans. The internal divisions of Jammu and Kashmir are as under:
(i) Jammu region having Hindu, Sikh and Muslim population speaking different languages.
(ii) Kashmir region having Muslim majority and Hindu minority population speaking Kashmiri.
(iii) Ladakh region having Muslim and Buddhist population.
These divisions led to regional aspirations as:
(a) One section of society wants Kashmir as a separate nation free from India and Pakistan.
(b) One section of society wants Kashmir to be merged with Pakistan.
(c) One section of society wants Kashmir to continue as part of Indian Union with greater autonomy.

Q.24. What is Kashmir issue? What is the political situation in the state since independence?
Ans. Kashmir Issue: It is an international dispute between India and Pakistan as well as the fight for Kashmiriyat, the identity of Kashmiris.
Since independence, the politics of J&K always remained controversial and conflict ridden both for external and internal reasons. Externally, Pakistan has always claimed that kashmir valley should be part of Pakistan. Even since 1947, Kashmir has remained a major issue of conflict between India and Pakistan. Internally, there is a dispute about the states of Kashmir within the Indian union.

Q.25. Why were the seven small states created in North-East India?
Ans. These small states were created due to:
(i) Opposition being faced by the outsiders at the hands of natives.
(ii) Regular demands for autonomy.
(iii) Secession Movements in various regions of the North-East.

Q.26. Which students group led the anti-foreigner movement in Assam? 
Ans. That All Assam Students’ Union

Q.27. The Assam Movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. Explain.
Ans. The reasons for this are:
(i) The movement was anti-foreigners on the ground to maintain cultural heritage and integration of the state.
(ii) Even with abundant natural resources like tea, oil and coal, the natives of the state were poor and unemployed.
(iii) The local belief was that these natural resources are being taken out of the state without any corresponding and compensating benefit to the state.

Q.28. Name the leaders who helped in getting statehood for Mizoram and Nagaland.
Ans. Mizoram - Laldenga Nagaland - Angami Zaphu Phizo

Q. 29. Describe the three major issues in the North Eastern States of India. 
Ans. Major issues in the North-Eastern States of India: 
(i) At independence the entire region except Manipur and Tripura comprised the State of Assam. Demands for political autonomy arose when the non-Assamese felt that the Assam government was imposing Assamese language on them.
(ii) Secessionist movements: Demands for autonomy were easier to respond to, for these involved using the various provisions in the Constitution for accommodation of diversities. It was much more difficult when some groups demanded a separate country.
(iii) Movements against outsiders: The large scale migration into the North-East gave rise to a special kind of problem that pitted the ‘local’ communities against people who were seen as ‘outsiders’ or migrants.