Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 12 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 4 Contemporary India: Challenges to Peace, Stability and National Integration Important Questions and Answers.
Maharashtra State Board 12th Political Science Important Questions Chapter 4 Contemporary India: Challenges to Peace, Stability and National Integration
Complete the following statements by selecting the appropriate option.
Question 1.
‘Unity in diversity is one of the important Indian values associated with
(a) Panchayati Raj
(b) National integration
(c) Concept of a nation
(d) Concept of ‘melting pot’
Answer:
(b) National integration
Question 2.
Charu Majumdar is associated with the
(a) JKLF
(b) Naxal movement
(c) Hizb-ul-Mujahideen
(d) Assam Oil Blockage
Answer:
(b) Naxal movement
Question 3.
States in India were reorganised in 1956 on the basis of
(a) language
(b) religion
(c) region
(d) caste
Answer:
(a) language
Question 4.
In 1947-48, India had a conflict with
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) England
(c) Pakistan
(d) China
Answer:
(c) Pakistan
Question 5.
In 1980, an oil blockade agitation was in to focus on the demand for economic development.
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Nagaland
(c) Kashmir
(d) Assam
Answer:
(d) Assam
Question 6.
………………. signed the Instrument of Accession with India in 1947.
(a) Maharaja Hari Singh
(b) Amanullah Khan
(c) Kanu Sanyal
(d) Hafiz Saeed
Answer:
(a) Maharaja Hari Singh
Identify the incorrect pair in every set and correct it.
Question 1.
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru – Discovery of India
(b) Struggle for rights of Tamil – LTTE
(c) National Integration Council – Article 370
Answer:
(c) ‘Special status’ for State of Jammu and Kashmir – Article 370
Complete the following sentences by selecting the appropriate reason.
Question 1.
In 1962, the N. I. C was created in India to ……………….
(a) review all matters pertaining to national integration.
(b) oversee the integration of Princely States into India.
(c) deal with insurgency in North-East India.
Answer:
(a) review all matters pertaining to national integration.
Question 2.
The freedom movement played an important role in national integration because …………….
(a) it provided a platform to express democratic views.
(b) it brought Indians together in a common framework of political identity and loyalty.
(c) it provided nationalistic symbols like the National Flag and common citizenship.
Answer:
(b) it brought Indians together in a common framework of political identity and loyalty.
Question 3.
India can be described as the ‘Salad bowl’ identity because ………………….
(a) it recognizes every culture, religion, etc., of a pluralistic society and it’s importance in national integration.
(b) it stresses on a system of assimilation towards a homogeneous society.
(c) it recognizes the right to self-determination of diverse groups in the country.
Answer:
(a) it recognizes every culture, religion, etc., of a pluralistic society and it’s importance in national integration.
State the appropriate concept for the given statements.
Question 1.
A sense of political identity.
Answer:
Nationalism
Question 2.
Concept used to describe American society based on a process of assimilation.
Answer:
Melting pot
Question 3.
The concept that argues that all aspects of diversity should be maintained in a pluralistic society.
Answer:
Salad bowl
Question 4.
Secessionist movement in the Punjab in 1980s.
Answer:
Khalistani movement
Question 5.
A militant movement that originated in the communist ideology
Answer:
Naxalism or Left Wing Extremism
Find the odd word.
Question 1.
CPI (M-L), PWG, MCCI, NIC.
Answer:
NIC (not a Naxal organisation)
Question 2.
Lashkar-e-Taiba, JKLF, IRA, Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Answer:
IRA (not a terrorist group operating in India)
Question 3.
Kerala, Jharkhand, Telangana, Chhattisgarh.
Answer:
Kerala (not affected by Naxalism)
Observe the maps in the textbook and answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Which two union territories have been created due to the bifurcation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir (2019)?
Answer:
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
Question 2.
Name two Indian States that border Jammu and Kashmir.
Answer:
- Punjab
- Himachal Pradesh
Question 3.
Name two districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Answer:
- Kargil
- Leh
Question 4.
Name two district in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Answer:
- Udhampur
- Kupwara
Question 5.
Name two countries that were neighbours of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Answer:
- China
- Pakistan
State whether the following statements are true or false with reason.
Question 1.
Cross Border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is a major threat to nation building in India.
Answer:
This statement is True.
- There are many terrorist outfits operating out of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) or Pakistan such as LET, Hizbul. This has led to frequent terrorist violence in the region since the last two and half decades.
- Terrorists indulge in acts like bombings, assassinations, etc. They try to radicalise people through ‘fake news’ and vested social groups as well as to encourage local insurgent groups. Terrorists have even indoctrinated children to hate the country and indulge in criminal acts like stone throwing and arson.
Question 2.
Left-Wing Extremism has spread over many States in India.
Answer:
This statement is True.
- Left-Wing Extremism or Naxalism has it’s ideological foundations in communism and the writings of Charu Majumdar. It’s main purpose is to show existing government structures and process as being ineffective.
- Maoist operations are primarily in rural underdeveloped areas with support base among landless and dalits across the Red Corridor i.e., States like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, etc.
Question 3.
The Khalistan movement occurred in the State of Kashmir
Answer:
This statement is False.
- The Khalistan movement occurred in the State of Punjab as a separatist movement for an independent homeland for Sikhs i.e., The Khalistan or the Land of the Khalsa.
- The Jammu and Kashmir region has been subjected to terrorism due to local militant outfits as well as cross border terrorism.
Question 4.
Modern day terrorism is State-centric.
Answer:
This statement is False.
- Modern day terrorism is not State-centric but is a global abstract fight for religious or ideological goals e.g., 2001 attacks by the A1 Qaeda in USA.
- Traditional form of terrorism was State-centric i.e., a specific section of people fighting for their rights against the State e.g., LTTE in Sri Lanka.
Explain the correlation between the following.
Question 1.
Insurgency in North East India and Neglect of the region
Answer:
North-East India comprises of eight States which are ethnically and culturally very diverse. Many of these States share boundaries with other countries like China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh. Many of these States are not well connected with mainland India. Some regions of the states in North-East India are not well developed. Ensuring industrial and economic development has been a major issue. Various insurgent groups have created havoc in States like Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, etc., In Assam, the ‘anti-foreigner’ movement was about it’s resources being diverted elsewhere, leading to lack of development.
Express your opinion of the following.
Question 1.
Naxal operations are primarily prevalent in underdeveloped areas of the country.
Answer:
Naxalism is a movement based on Maoist ideology that began in 1967 at Naxalbari (West Bengal) as a protest against the feudal order and oppression by the landlords. Naxalites target existing infrastructure and aim to show government programmes as ineffective. Naxalites find support amongst landless agricultural labour, tribals and dalits. They are based in inaccessible, underdeveloped areas of India which lack communication facilities, are heavily forested or have difficult terrain where the security forces find it difficult to operate.
Question 2.
National unity is not homogeneity.
Answer:
National unity refers to solidarity among citizens of a country. It advocates a ‘community of communities’ with respect to diversity, shared values and experiences. It is ethnic, religious, linguistic acceptance towards peace and stability. National unity is a major step towards social peace i.e., it is essential in maintaining a stable, functional and harmonious society. National unity in India reflects the ‘salad bowl’ concept i.e., it is not an assimilation of diverse groups but the maintenance of distinctive beliefs in a plural society.
Question 3.
India went into an economic transformation in the 1990s.
Answer:
After independence, India adopted a socialistic pattern of society with mixed economy and Five Year Plans. However, keeping in view, socio-political changes in the world such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, India went into an economic transformation in the 1990s. It opted for economic liberalisation to tackle the problem of economic stagnation. This led to economic recovery of the country.
Question 4.
The National Integration Council (N. I. C) plays an important role in nation building.
Answer:
In 1961, the first National Integration Conference was held to find ways to combat evils like casteism, communalism, regionalism, etc. Based on it’s recommendations, National Integration Council was set up in 1962, to review all matters pertaining to national integration. It dedicates itself to achieving values like equality, justice, fraternity, secularism and unity in diversity.
Answer the following question in 80 to 100 words.
Question 1.
Trace the changes that have taken place in Article 370.
Answer:
Article 370 gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir (J & IQ conferring it with the authority to have a separate constitution, separate State flag and autonomy over it’s internal administration. The article was drafted in Part XXI of the Indian constitution : Temporary, Transitional and special provisions. Along with Article 35A, this article defined that residents of Jammu and Kashmir had separate laws related to citizenship, ownership of property, etc. The Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was empowered to recommend articles of the India constitution that should be applied to the State and a subsequent. Presidential Order (1954) was issued.
On 5th August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Art. 370. President Ramnath Kovind issued an order nullifying all provisions of autonomy granted to the State. Both houses of Parliament passed the Reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir bill. As of now the following changes are apparent;
- People of the State have access to all government schemes like Reservations, RTE, RTI, etc.
- The State was bifurcated into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Answer the following question with reference to the given point in 150 to 200 words.
Question 1.
Challenges to nation building in India.
(a) Terrorism
(b) Communalism
(c) Left Wing Extremism
Answer:
Nation building means constructing a national identity which aims at uniting the people within a country so that it remains politically stable. It is closely related to the concept of national integration. It demands a democratic government and participative civil society. Nation building in India faces several challenges such as casteism, regionalism, communalism, insurgency, extremism and terrorism.
(a) Terrorism – It is the actual use or threat to use violence with an intention to disrupt life and create panic. It is called ‘asymmetric’ or ‘indirect’ warfare. It may take the form of assassination of political figures, hijackings, bombings and attacks on civilians etc. Earlier, terrorism was State-centric e.g., LTTE in Sri Lanka. However, modern day terrorism aims for abstract ideological or religious goals at the global level e.g., Taliban, Boko Haram. India has been the target of numerous terrorist attacks e.g., bomb blasts in Mumbai (1993, 2006) and LET attack on 26th November 2008 in Mumbai, attack on Parliament (2001), attacks on security forces at Uri (2016) and Pulwama (2019).
(b) Communalism refers to excessive pride in and attachment to one’s own religion/sect that leads to religious orthodoxy or fundamentalism and promotes intolerance and hatred of other religious groups. In India, roots of communalism can be traced to-
- British policy of ‘Divide and Rule’.
- Hindu and Muslim revivalist movements.
- Rise of communal, fundamentalist parties and other vested interests that aim to radicalise members of their communities.
- Politics of appeasement by various political parties.
- psychological factors – history of communal violence has led to lack of trust between Hindus and Muslims.
- Role of media and ‘fake news’ which may indulge in sensationalism aimed to incite communal hatred.
Some of the prominent cases of communal violence in India are:
- 1947-49 there was mass bloodshed in the wake of the Partition of India.
- 1969 Ahmedabad riots.
- 1983 in Assam against Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh.
- 1984 Anti-Sikh riots broke out after the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi especially in Delhi.
- 1992-93 saw the worst riots post independence following demolition of the Babri Masjid especially in Mumbai, Surat, etc.
- 2002 Gujarat riots especially in Godhra.
- 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots in UP.
(c) Left Wing Extremism – Left Wing Extremism (also called Maoist movement or Naxalism) has major support base among landless labourers, dalits and tribals who experience a sense of oppression, injustice and neglect. The first attempt to promote a peasant struggle was the Telangana Movement (1946-51). The Naxal Movement originated in 1967 in Naxalbari (West Bengal) led by Kanu Sanyal and writings of Charu Majumdar.
Since 1980s the movement has taken a militant turn. In 2004 CPI (M-L), People’s War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre of India merged to form CPI (Maoist) which aims to overthrow the government, Naxal activities aim to and destroy public property and attack police and officials. The Red Corridor of Naxal activities extends across States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, etc.