Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 17- Regional Aspirations

The important questions for Chapter 17, ‘Regional Aspirations,’ in the Class 12 Political Science book, explore significant aspects of regional aspirations in politics. These questions help understand the key ideas and concepts related to this chapter in Political Science.

Also Check: CBSE syllabus 2024

1 Mark Questions

Question 1. Name the three social and political regions of the Northern most State of India. (Delhi 2015)
OR
Jammu and Kashmir state comprises of which three social and political regions? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Three social and political regions of the Northern most State of India are-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Question 2. Justify that ‘Regionalism is not as dangerous as communalism’. (All India 2015)
Answer: Regionalism is dangerous in a specific region while communalism is dangerous for whole nation.

Question 3. Why were the seven small states created in North-East India? (Delhi 2015)
Answer: The isolation of the region, its complex social character and its backwardness compared to other parts of the country are responsible for creation of seven small states in North-East India.

Question 4. Why do some people feel that Article 370 should be revoked? (All India 2015)
Answer: Such people believes that the special status of the state conferred by Article 370 does not allow full integration of the state with India.

Question 5. Which student’s group led the anti foreigner movement in Assam? (Delhi 2014)
OR
Which organization of Assam led the movement against foreign nationals in 1979? (All India 2013)
Answer: Organization of Assam which led the movement against foreign nationals in 1979 is All Assam Students’ Union (AASU).

Question 3. When was the first democratic election to Sikkim Assembly held and which party swept the elections? (All India 2013)
Answer: The first democratic elections to Sikkim Assembly was held in 1974 which was swept by Sikkim Congress.

Question 6. The states of which region of India are referred to as the ‘seven sisters’? (Delhi 2013)
Answer: The seven sister states are a region in North-Eastern India, comprising the contiguous states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

Question 7. Mention any one point of agreement included in the Rajiv Gandhi- Longowal Accord. (Delhi 2013)
Answer: It was agreed that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.

Question 8. Shetkari Sangathan and Rajya Sangha belonged to which two respective states? (All India 2013)
Answer: Shetkari Sangathan and Rajya Sangha belong to Maharashtra and Karnataka respectively.

Question 9. Differentiate between regionalism and separatism. (All India 2011)
Answer: Regionalism is a political ideology that focuses on the national or normative interests of a particular regions or group of regions. Whereas Separatism is the advocacy or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion or gender.

Question 10. What is meant by ‘Punjab Accord’ of 1985? (All India 2011)
Answer: Punjab Accord was a step towards bringing normalcy to Punjab. This accord was with Harchand Singh Longowal, the then President of Akali Dal.

Question 11. What is the main reason behind the secessionist movement in the North-East India? (Delhi 2011)
Answer: Main reason behind the secessionist movements in North-East is the isolation of the region and the backwardness of the states compared to other parts of the country.

Question 12. Correct the following statement and rewrite. (Delhi 2008; All India 2008)
‘Goa was not merged with Maharashtra as the Central Government did not want it’.
Answer: Goa was not merged with Maharashtra as the people of Goa did not want it.

Question 13. What was ‘Operation Blue Star’? (All India (C) 2008)
Answer: ‘Operation Blue Star’ was an army action carried out against militancy in 1989 executed in Golden Temple, Amritsar.

2 Marks Questions

Question 1. What will happen if the regions are not given their due share in decision-making at the national level? (All India 2017)
Answer: If the regions are not given their due share in decision-making at the national level, there will be tension and conflict between regions and union government which may result in collapse of political and electoral process of country.

Question 2. How far did the Rajiv Gandhi- Longowal Accord succeed in bringing normalcy in Punjab? (All India 2017)
Answer: The Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord or the Punjab Accord, was a step towards bringing normalcy to Punjab, however, peace did not come easily or immediately. The cycle of violence continued nearly for a decade.

Question 3. Why and how did the Mizo movement for succession gain popular support? (All India 2016)
Answer: The movement for succession in the Mizo hills area gain popular support due to following reasons:
(i) Some Mizos believed that they were never a part of British India and therefore did not belong to the Indian Union.
(ii) The movement for succession gained popular support only after the Assam Government failed to respond adequately to the great famine of 1959 in Mizo hills.
(iii) The Mizo’s anger led to the formation of the Mizo National Front (MNF) under the leadership of Laldenga.

After a long struggle, the problem was resolved by a peace agreement, signed between Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga. As per this accord, Mizoram was granted full-fledged statehood with special powers and MNF agreed fo give up secessionist struggle.

Question 4. What was ‘Operation Blue Star’? Why did it hurt the sentiments of the Sikh Community? (All India 2016)
Answer: ‘Operation Blue Star’ was an army action against militancy in 1989 which was executed in Golden Temple, Amritsar.
In this operation, the government could successfully flush out the militants, but it damaged the historic temple and deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs.

Question 5. How was the reorganization of North-East India completed and by when? (Delhi 2016)
Answer: The reorganization of North-East India was completed by 1970s. In 1972 Meghalaya was carved out of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura became separate states in the same year.

Question 6. What does the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 mean? (All India 2014)
OR
Mention any two provisions, which reflect special status to Jammu and Kashmir. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
Two provisions which reflect special status to Jammu and Kashmir are :

1. Articles 370 and 371 of Indian Constitution give greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. The state has its own Constitution.
2. All provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable to the state, law passed by the Parliament apply to Jammu and Kashmir only if the state agrees.

Question 7. Highlight any two issues that dominate the politics of North-East India. (All India 2013)
Answer: After independence two issues that dominate the politics of North-East India are :

• Demands for autonomy
• Movements for secessions and opposition to outsiders.

Question 8. Name the original states from which the following states were carved out
(i) Meghalaya
(ii) Gujarat (All India 2012)
Answer:
(i) From Assam in 1972
(ii) From Bombay state in 1960

Question 9. Describe the outcome of the ‘Assam Accord’ of 1985. (All India 2010)
Answer: According to ‘Assam Accord’ of 1985, those foreigners who migrated into Assam during and after Bangladesh war and since, were to be identified and deported.

Question 10. ‘Regionalism does not imply separatism.’ Explain, (HOTS; Delhi 2009)
Answer: Regionalism is the theory or practice of emphasising the regional characteristics of local issues. Separatism advocates separation, especially existential or political separation.

4 Marks Questions

Question 1. Why did the movement for secession in the Mizo hills area gain popular support? How was the problem resolved? (Delhi 2015)
Answer: The movement for succession in the Mizo hills area gain popular support due to following reasons:

1. Some Mizos believed that they were never a part of British India and therefore did not belong to the Indian Union.
2. The movement for succession gained popular support only after the Assam Government failed to respond adequately to the great famine of 1959 in Mizo hills.
3. The Mizo’s anger led to the formation of the Mizo National Front (MNF) under the leadership of Laldenga.

Question 2. What was the main outcome of the Rajiv Gandhi Longowal Accord in July 1985? (All India, 2012)
Answer: The outcomes of Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord were :

• Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
• A separate commission will be set-up to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
• A tribunal would be set up to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Compensation and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.
• Withdrawal of the Application of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Punjab.

Question 3. Explain the rise of political violence in the North-Eastern part of India. (Delhi 2009)
Answer: Following reasons are responsible for the rise of political violence in the North-Eastern part of India :

1. The large scale migration into North-East gave rise to a special kind of problem that pitted the ‘local’ communities against poeple who were seen as ‘outsiders’ or migrants.
2. These latecomers, either from India or abroad are seen as encroachers onscarce resources like land and potential competitors to employment opportunities and political power.
3. These issues have taken political and sometimes violent form in many states of the North-East.

Question 4. What lessons can we draw from the feeling of alienation in some parts of India? (All India 2009)
Answer: Lessons learnt from the feeling of alienation in some parts of India are following :

• Regional aspirations are very much a part of democratic politics. Expression of regional issues is not an abnormal phenomenon.
• The best way to respond to regional aspirations is through democratic negotiations rather than through suppression.
• Regional imbalance in economic development contributes to the feeling of regional discrimination.

6 Marks Questions

Question 1. Describe the advantages of the democratic approach to the question of diversity in uniting a large country like India. (Delhi 2016)
OR
While trying to forge and retain unity in diversity in India, there are many difficult issues which are yet to be tackled. Describe any three such areas of tension. (Delhi 2016)
OR
Which three lessons do we learn from regional aspirations and their accommodation as an integral part of democratic politics? Describe. (Delhi 2016)
Answer: Since, 1980s, problems became more noticeable and tension and turmoil created and tested the strength of democracy to deal with aspirations of diverse groups.
Following lessons that we have been learnt are :

1. It is not possible to keep away regional aspirations in a democracy.
2. The best way to deal with regional aspirations is through democratic negotiation not by armed suppression.
3. Having democratic structure is not sufficient, share in power at the state level by regional groups and parties is also important.
4. The fourth lesson deals with economic development of various states/region imbalance in development could raise the feeling of discrimination.
5. The final lesson is the farsighteness of Constitution makers who put effective provisions in Constitution for dealing with the question of diversity.

The federal structure adopted by India is flexible in nature. Each state is vested with same powers and special powers are granted to Jammu and Kashmir and the North-Eastern states.

Question 2. Describe the story of Goa’s liberation from the Portuguese to its becoming a state of the Indian Union. (All India, 2018)
OR
Describe the process of Goa’s Liberation and becoming a state of the Indian Union. (All India, 2015)
Answer: The process of Goa’s liberation and becoming a state of the Indian Union are following :

1. Despite the end of British Empire from India in 1947, Portuguese refused to withdraw from the territories of Goa, Diu and Daman.
2. After India’s independence, the Indian Government tried very patiently to persuade the Portuguese government to withdraw.
3. After a strong popular movement in December 1961, the Government of India sent the army which liberated it. Goa, Diu and Daman became Union Territory.
4. In 1967, an ‘Opinion Poll’ was held in Goa and the majority voted in favour of remaining outside of Maharashtra.
5. Thus, Goa continued as a Union Territory. Finally, in 1987, Goa became a state of the Indian Union.

Question 3. Describe the internal-external disputes responsible for making the politics of Jammu and Kashmir continuously controversial. (All India 2016)
OR
What is the social and political composition of Jammu and Kashmir? Describe the roots of ‘Kashmir Issue’ which compelled the Indian Government to maintain autonomy in this state. (All India 2016)
OR
Describe any three obstacles that delayed the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with India. (All India 2015)
OR
Explain how the Indian Government has been pursuing the path of democratic negotiation to solve the Kashmir issue. (All India 2008)
Answer: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are three social and political regions comprised in Jammu and Kashmir. They are follows:

• Kashmir region Population comprises mostly Muslims. The Kashmir valley is heart of it, Kashmiri language is prominent language of the region Hindus are minority.
• Jammu region It is a mix of foot hills and plains. Consists of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Various languages are spoken.
• Ladakh region It is mountainous and sparsely populated. Population consist of equal number of Muslims and Buddhists.

When Hari Singh (The then King of Jammu and Kashmir) agreed to merge Jammu and Kashmir with India in 1948. Special status was given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

This article provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir which provide it autonomy in many areas. No law of Indian Parliament will be effective unless it is approved by the State Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. This special provision were given by Indian Government in pursuing the path of democratic negotiation to solve the Kashmir issue.

Question 4. Briefly describe the story of Sikkim from the time of India’s independence to its merger with India, (All India 2015)
Answer: The story of Sikkim from the time of India’s independence to its merger with India is following :

• At the time of independence, Sikkim was a ‘protectorate’ of India. It meant that while it was not a part of India, it was also not a fully sovereign country.
• Sikkim’s monarch was Chogyal who was unable to deal with the democratic aspirations of the people.
• The Chogyal was seen as perpetuating the rule of a small elite from the minority Lepch Bhutia community.
• The anti Chogyal leaders of both the communities sought and got support from the Government of India.
• The first assembly of Sikkim which was elected in 1974 were swept by Sikkim Congress and it sought the status of ‘associate state’ and the in April 1975 passed a resolution asking for full integration with India.
• After an organised referendum Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian Union.

Question 5. Describe the role of EV Ramasami ‘Pariyar’ in the Dravid movement and formation of Dravida Kazhagam (DK). Why did the DK get split and enter into politics as DMK? (All India 2015)
Answer: Dravidian movement was a regional movement under leadership of EV Ramasami Naickar also known as Periyar. He played following role in this movement:

• He was a strong supporter of atheism and was famous for his anti-caste struggle and rediscovery of Dravidian identity.
• Initially he was a worker of the Congress Party and started the self-respect movement in 1925.
• He led the anti-Brahmin movement and worked for the justice party and later founded Dravidar KazhagAnswer:
• He opposed to Hindi and domination of North India.
• He propounded the thesis that North Indians and Brahmins are Aryans

The DK split because the Dravidian movement initially spoke in terms of the whole of South India, however lack of support from other states limited the movement to Tamil Nadu. The DMK made its entry into politics with a three-pronged agitation in 1953-54.

Question 6. Describe any two secessionist movements of North-East India. (All India 2013)
OR
Describe the Assam movement against the outsiders from 1979 to 1985. (All India 2013)
Answer: Two secessionist movements of North-East India are-Assam movement and Mizo movement.

Assam Movement

The Assam, North-Eastern state had seen many changes since independence. States like Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Predesh had been carved out of it.

The Assamese had a unique culture of their own. But the culture was suspected to be harmed because of the huge number of immigrants from Bangladesh.

To tackle those immigrants and to avoid the mixing of the culture with those of outsiders they launched a movement popularly known as the Assam movement.

Yes, the Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness. It is justified from the following arguments :

1. The outsiders had a deep effect on the local economy. The Assam was suffering from poverty and unemployment because of these immigrants.
2. In spite of being a part of India, Assam was isolated and developmental work was not as functional as they were in any other part of the country.
3. Economy was already at stake but the immigrants made it even worse.

Assamese had to face dual problem of cultural preservation and economic degradation. All Assam student union formed in 1979 led a struggle against these immigrates in order to save their culture.

Question 7. “Ail regional movements need not lead to the separatist demands”. Explain the statement by giving suitable examples. (HOTS; Delhi 2011)
Answer: Regional movement need to be understood in the light of democratic politics. Expression of regional issue is not an abnormal phenomena. Even in smaller countries regional aspirations sprang up.

It does not mean that these regional movement want a separate state for themselves. Regional movements want to create a more autonomous state within the framework of parent country.

The best example of Regional movement could be drawn from our country only. Demand for autonomy arose when the non-Assamese felt that the Assam Government was imposing Assamese language on them protest raised up in whole state and leaders of various tribal communities wanted to separate from Answer: Eastern India Tribal Union was formed which later transformed into All Party Hill Leader Conference in 1960.

The demand of separate state picked up momentum and instead of a single state several states were carved out by Central Government at different points of time. Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh is carved out ot Ass

Answer: So, regional demands need not lead to separatist demands in normal cases.

Passage-Based Questions

Question 1. Study the passage given below and answer the questions that follow (All India 2014)
India adopted a democratic approach to the question of diversity. Democracy allows the political expressions of regional aspirations and does not look upon them as anti-national. Besides, democratic politics allows parties and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspirations and specific regional problems.
(i) Which type of diversity exists in India?
(ii) Name any two political parties that represent regional identity.
(iii) Mention any one movement that expresses regional aspirations.
(iv) How does democracy treat regional issues and problems?
Answer:
(i) Cultural diversity exists in India.
(ii) DMK and Shiv Sena.
(iii) Assam movement.
(iv) Democracy allows political parties and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspirations and specific regional problems.

Question 2.
Read the passage carefully given below and answer the questions that follows (Delhi 2014)
The Assam movement from 1979 to 1985 is the best example of such movement against ‘outsiders’. The Assamese suspected that there were huge numbers of illegal Bengali Muslim setters from Bangladesh. They felt that unless these foreign nationals are detected and deported, they would reduce the indigenous Assamese into a minority.
There were other economic issues too. There was widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam despite the existence of natural resources like oil, tea and coal.
It was felt that these were drained out of the state without any commensurate benefit to the people.
(i) Name the group that led the movement against outsiders in 1979.
(ii) Why did the Assamese seek the detection and deportation of the outsiders?
(iii) What were the economic issues taken up as part of the movement?
Answer:
(i) All Assam Student Union (AASU)
(ii) Huge numbers of Bengali Muslim from Bangladesh into Assam was a cause of concern for Assamese. They felt that unless these foreign nationals are detected and deported, they would reduce the indigenous Assamese into a minority.
(iii) Widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam despite the existence of natural resources like oil, tea and coal were the economic issues taken up as part of the movement.

Question 3. Study the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow (Delhi 2013)
The best way to respond to regional aspirations is through democratic negotiations rather than through suppression. Look at the situation in the eighties -militancy had erupted in
Punjab; problems were persisting in the North-East; Students in Assam were agitating. Kashmir valley was on the boil. Instead of treating these as simple law and order problems, the Government of India reached negotiated settlement with regional movements.
(i) How are regional aspirations dangerous for the unity of the country?
(ii) What is meant by democratic negotiations?
(iii) Who was leading the agitation in Assam?
(iv) What steps were taken by the Government of India to respond to the regional aspirations?
Answer:
(i) Regional aspirations pose threat and lead to collapse of political and electoral process of the country. Hence, they are dangerous for the unity of the country.
(ii) Democratic negotiations are process to solve the situation peacefully and with the help of dialogue.
(iii) Students were leading the agitation in Ass Answer:
(iv) Instead of treating these as simple law and order problems, the Government of India reached negotiated settlement with regional movements.

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