Test: Contemporary South Asia- 2 - UPSC MCQ

Background:

• Sri Lanka and India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948 and 1947, respectively.

Democratic System:

• Both countries adopted democratic systems of government after gaining independence.


• India established a parliamentary system based on the British model.


• Sri Lanka also adopted a parliamentary system with a President as the head of state.


• Both countries have held regular elections, allowing citizens to choose their representatives.

Success of Democracy:

• Despite challenges, both Sri Lanka and India have maintained stable democratic governments.


• They have experienced peaceful transfers of power through elections.


• Both countries have a vibrant civil society, active media, and independent judiciary.


• Democratic values such as freedom of speech, rule of law, and respect for human rights are upheld.

Impact of British Rule:

• The British colonial rule left a legacy of democratic institutions and practices in both countries.


• Elements of the British legal system, bureaucracy, and parliamentary democracy influenced the post-independence governance.


• The experience of being part of the British Empire helped shape the democratic traditions in Sri Lanka and India.

• Winner: The winner of the 2018 elections in Bhutan was the MDP (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) party.


• Background: The elections in Bhutan are held every five years, and in 2018, the country saw a shift in power with the MDP party winning a majority.


• Campaign: The MDP party campaigned on promises of economic development, social welfare, and good governance, resonating with the voters.


• Voter Turnout: The voter turnout was high, reflecting the engagement of the Bhutanese population in the democratic process.


• Outcome: The MDP party's victory marked a significant moment in Bhutan's political landscape, showcasing the country's commitment to democracy and peaceful transitions of power.

After Pakistan framed its first constitution, General Ayub Khan took over the administration of Pakistan.

Reasons for General Ayub Khan taking over:

• Political instability: The political situation in Pakistan was unstable after the framing of the constitution, and General Ayub Khan stepped in to restore order and stability.


• Military background: General Ayub Khan had a strong military background and was seen as a capable leader to take charge of the administration.

Actions taken by General Ayub Khan:

• Implemented martial law: General Ayub Khan imposed martial law in the country to maintain control and stability.


• Introduced economic reforms: He implemented various economic reforms to improve the country's economic situation.


• Initiated development projects: General Ayub Khan started several development projects to modernize and improve infrastructure in Pakistan.

Legacy of General Ayub Khan:

• Authoritarian rule: General Ayub Khan's rule was criticized for being authoritarian and suppressing political dissent.


• Economic progress: Despite criticisms, his tenure saw some economic progress and development in Pakistan.


• Impact on Pakistan's political landscape: His rule had a lasting impact on Pakistan's political landscape, shaping future political developments in the country.

• India-Pakistan Relations: India and Pakistan have a long history of conflicts and wars since their independence in 1947.


• 1971 War: The war between India and Pakistan in 1971 was a significant event in the history of the two countries.

• Bangladesh Liberation War: The main cause of the war was the Bangladesh Liberation War, where East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) sought independence from West Pakistan (now Pakistan).


• Human Rights Violations: The Pakistani military crackdown on the Bengali population led to widespread human rights violations.

• Start of the War: The war officially began on December 3, 1971, when Pakistan launched air strikes on Indian airbases.


• Indian Response: India responded by entering the war on the side of the Bengali nationalists in East Pakistan.


• End of the War: The war ended on December 16, 1971, with the unconditional surrender of Pakistani forces to the joint Indian-Bangladeshi forces.

• Formation of Bangladesh: The war resulted in the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh.


• Impact on Relations: The war further strained the already tense relations between India and Pakistan.

Religion of Nepal in the past:

• Hinduism: Nepal was a Hindu kingdom in the past.

Reasons why Nepal was a Hindu kingdom:

• Hinduism has been the major religion of Nepal for centuries.


• The monarchy in Nepal had strong ties to Hinduism, with the king being seen as an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.


• The majority of the population in Nepal practiced Hinduism, leading to the country being known as a Hindu kingdom.


• Hindu traditions and customs were deeply ingrained in the culture and society of Nepal.

• Acceptance of Demand: The king of Nepal accepted the demand for a new democratic constitution in 1990.

• Background: The Sri Lankan Tamil question refers to the conflict between the majority Sinhalese community and the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The Tamil minority, primarily concentrated in the northern and eastern regions of the country, has long-standing grievances related to discrimination and lack of political representation.


• 1983: The conflict escalated in 1983 when anti-Tamil riots broke out in Sri Lanka, resulting in significant loss of life and property among the Tamil community.


• 1987: In response to the escalating conflict, India under the leadership of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi intervened in the Sri Lankan Tamil question. The Indian government facilitated negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil militants.


• Indo-Sri Lanka Accord: In July 1987, the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed between India and Sri Lanka, aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring the rights of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.


• Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF): As part of the accord, India deployed the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka to oversee the implementation of the agreement and maintain peace in the conflict-affected areas.


• End of involvement: India's involvement in the Sri Lankan Tamil question ended in 1990 with the withdrawal of the IPKF from Sri Lanka following a breakdown in the peace process and escalating hostilities.

When did the Indian peacekeeping force pull out of Sri Lanka?

• A: 1985


• B: 1989


• C: 1986


• D: 1992

Answer: B. 1989

Detailed

• Background: The Indian peacekeeping force was sent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord to help maintain peace in the region.


• Reason for Deployment: The deployment was primarily aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).


• Timeline: The Indian peacekeeping force remained in Sri Lanka for about 2 years before eventually pulling out in 1989.


• Withdrawal: The decision to withdraw the Indian peacekeeping force was made due to escalating violence and mounting casualties, leading to the conclusion that their presence was exacerbating the situation rather than helping to resolve it.


• Legacy: The withdrawal of the Indian peacekeeping force marked a significant moment in the history of Sri Lanka and its conflict resolution efforts.

When was the LTTE vanquished?

• A: 2006


• B: 2005


• C: 2009


• D: 2012

Answer: C. 2009

Explanation:

• LTTE: LTTE stands for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a militant organization that fought for an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka.


• Vanquished: The LTTE was defeated in 2009 by the Sri Lankan military, marking the end of the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka.


• 2009: This was the year when the Sri Lankan military launched a final offensive against the LTTE, resulting in the death of the organization's leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and the eventual defeat of the LTTE.


• Aftermath: The end of the LTTE paved the way for the Sri Lankan government to declare victory in the civil war and begin the process of rebuilding and reconciliation in the country.

Year of India's Nuclear Explosion in Pokhran:

Detailed Explanation:

Name of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation:

• SAARC: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is a regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union in South Asia. It promotes regional cooperation and integration among member states.

Detailed Explanation:

• Establishment: SAARC was established on December 8, 1985, with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, Bangladesh.


• Member States: SAARC currently has eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.


• Objectives: SAARC aims to promote economic and regional integration, peace, stability, and progress in the region through cooperation in various areas such as agriculture, health, education, and culture.


• Summits: SAARC holds regular summits where leaders of member states meet to discuss regional issues and cooperation. The last summit was held in 2014 in Nepal.


• Challenges: SAARC has faced challenges in achieving its objectives due to political tensions between member states, especially between India and Pakistan.


• Future: Despite challenges, SAARC continues to work towards regional cooperation and integration in South Asia.