Unrest in Punjab
If differences grow over some demands at home and talks stop, tension rises. In the same way in Punjab political tension grew over some demands and became violent.
An internal challenge is a problem arising from within the country that threatens peace and unity. The unrest in Punjab was such a big challenge in the 1980s.
Key idea 1 : Anandpur Sahib Resolution — The main political party in Punjab was the Akali Dal. In 1973 it passed the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’. As per the textbook it demanded that Chandigarh be given to Punjab, Punjabi-speaking parts of other states join Punjab, recruitment of Sikhs in the army increase and the state get more autonomy.
Key idea 2 : Growth of unrest — In 1977 the Akali Dal came to power in Punjab and also put forward demands such as a bigger share of river water and ‘holy city’ status for Amritsar. In 1980 the movement for an ‘independent Khalistan’ began. Terrorist activities began and in 1983 President’s rule had to be imposed in Punjab.
Key idea 3 : Operation Blue Star — Armed terrorists had gathered in the Golden Temple complex. Major General Kuldeep Singh Brar was given the task of removing them. ‘Operation Blue Star’ began on 3 June 1984 and ended on 6 June. In 1986 ‘Operation Black Thunder’ had to be carried out again. After that the process of establishing peace in Punjab picked up speed.
- Easy : In which year was the Anandpur Sahib Resolution? — 1973.
- Medium : When was President’s rule imposed in Punjab? — In 1983.
- Exam-type : How long was Operation Blue Star? — 3 to 6 June 1984, i.e. 4 days counting both dates.
In the figure: Timeline of the unrest in Punjab.
What happened before the Punjab Accord? After about three years of unrest in Punjab, the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi opened talks with the Akali leader Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. Akali leaders began to be released from jail in March 1985.
What happened after the Punjab Accord? The Rajiv–Longowal Accord was signed on 24 July 1985. On 20 August, less than a month later, militants who opposed it killed Longowal. Elections were still held in September 1985 and the Akali Dal formed the government.
73 resolution → 80 movement → 83 President’s rule → 84 Blue Star → 86 Black Thunder.
This unrest does not mean blaming all people of any one religion; it was a political challenge linked to demands and violence by some groups.
Memory clue: Resolution-movement-rule-Blue Star-Black Thunder. Memory clue: “73-80-83-84-86, steps in one order”.
Spot the difference
| Year | Event | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Anandpur Sahib Resolution | Akali Dal’s demands |
| 1983 | President’s rule | Central rule in the state |
| 1984 | Operation Blue Star | Military action in the Golden Temple |
Practice questions
- 1What is an internal challenge?
- 2Which was the main political party in Punjab?
- 3State two demands of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
- 4Why did President’s rule have to be imposed in Punjab?
- 5On which dates was Operation Blue Star held and who led it?
- 6What is an ‘operation’?
- 7Explain why it became necessary to carry out Operation Blue Star.
- 8Write the events of Punjab from 1973 to 1986 in order.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1A problem arising within the country that threatens peace and unity.
- 2The Akali Dal.
- 3Giving Chandigarh to Punjab and more autonomy.
- 4Because terrorist activities and unrest increased.
- 53 to 6 June 1984; Major General Kuldeep Singh Brar.
- 6A military expedition with a particular objective.
- 7Armed terrorists had taken shelter in the Golden Temple complex and had to be removed.
- 81973 resolution; 1980 Khalistan movement; 1983 President’s rule; 1984 Blue Star; 1986 Black Thunder.
Issues of North-east India
In a class of children speaking many languages some feel ignored if everyone is not heard. In the same way the expectations of the various tribes of north-east India had to be considered.
North-east India has eight states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The diversity of races, languages and cultures here is great.
Key idea 1 : Nehru’s policy — Prime Minister Nehru took the lead to bring the tribes here into the mainstream. In 1954 he formed the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). His position was to develop these tribes while preserving their culture. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has special provisions for these areas.
Key idea 2 : Nagaland and Mizoram — In 1946 educated Naga youth formed the Naga National Council. After talks Nagaland became a full state on 1 December 1963. In Mizoram Laldenga founded the Mizo National Front in 1961. In 1972 the Mizo area became a Union Territory and later, after an accord, a state.
Key idea 3 : Assam and Arunachal Pradesh — In 1983 there was an agitation in Assam on the question of the dominance of migrants who had come from outside. In 1985 the Assam Accord was signed and later peace was established through elections. NEFA got the name Arunachal Pradesh in 1972 and became a full state on 20 February 1987.
- Easy : How many states are in north-east India? — Eight.
- Medium : When did Nagaland become a full state? — 1 December 1963.
- Exam-type : By what name was Arunachal Pradesh known earlier? — NEFA.
In the figure: Four important issues and years in the north-east.
What happened before the Assam Accord? In 1979 the All Assam Students Union (AASU) began an agitation demanding that illegal migrants be identified and sent back. It continued for six years. On 13 August 1985 the leaders of the agitation were called to Delhi for talks.
What happened after the Assam Accord? After the night of 14 August, that is just past midnight on 15 August 1985, the Assam Accord was signed. Afterwards the leaders of the agitation formed the Asom Gana Parishad party. After the December 1985 election Prafulla Kumar Mahanta became Chief Minister at the age of 33; he took oath on 24 December 1985.
What happened before the Mizo Accord? In 1966 the Mizo National Front had declared an independent Mizoram. After that the conflict continued for about twenty years. On 15 February 1985 Laldenga met Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the peace talks moved ahead.
What happened after the Mizo Accord? On 30 June 1986 the Mizo peace accord was signed in Delhi. As per it Mizoram became a state on 20 February 1987; it became India’s 23rd state. Even today 30 June is observed in Mizoram as ‘Peace Day’ (Remna Ni).
Nagaland 63; Assam Accord 85; Mizo Accord 86; Mizoram and Arunachal states 87.
The issues of all tribes in the north-east were not the same; each state had a different history and demands.
Memory clue: 63-85-86-87. Memory clue: Nagaland 63, Assam 85, Mizo accord 86, Mizoram-Arunachal 87 — years in rising order.
Spot the difference
| State | Main event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nagaland | Full statehood | 1963 |
| Assam | Assam Accord | 1985 |
| Mizoram | Peace accord and statehood | 1986-87 |
Practice questions
- 1Write the names of the eight states of north-east India.
- 2What is NEFA?
- 3In which year did Nagaland become a state?
- 4Who founded the Mizo National Front?
- 5What happened before and after the Assam Accord?
- 6State the result of the Mizo Accord.
- 7Explain Nehru’s policy for north-east India.
- 8Prepare a table of years for the north-eastern states.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura.
- 2North-East Frontier Agency.
- 3In 1963.
- 4Laldenga.
- 5Before: a six-year agitation; after: the Asom Gana Parishad was formed, elections held and Mahanta became Chief Minister.
- 6The conflict ended and Mizoram became a state.
- 7To develop the tribes while preserving their culture and bring them into the mainstream.
- 8Nagaland 1963; Assam Accord 1985; Mizoram 1987; Arunachal 1987.
Naxalism
A farmer is unhappy if he does not get a fair price for his labour. From such unhappiness a violent path was chosen in some places; this is called Naxalism.
The Naxalite movement began in 1967 at Naxalbari village in West Bengal. All movements inspired by it are called Naxalite movements.
Key idea 1 : Beginning and objectives — At Naxalbari in Darjeeling district the Naxalites organised small farmers and landless labourers, took over lands and in 1967 declared that area free territory. The objectives were to set up action committees against exploitation by landlords and to distribute land to the tillers.
Key idea 2 : The turn of the movement — As per the textbook the movement later strayed from its objectives and took to violence to stop government schemes from reaching common people. It rejected the democratic system and set up a parallel system. So Naxalism became a serious challenge to the country’s internal security.
Key idea 3 : Spread — The movement was mainly in West Bengal. Later it spread to some parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra (Gadchiroli, Bhandara, part of Chandrapur), Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. To keep its influence it set up an organisation called the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).
- Easy : Where did the Naxalite movement begin? — Naxalbari, West Bengal.
- Medium : Give the full form of PLGA. — People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army.
- Exam-type : Name one affected district in Maharashtra. — Gadchiroli.
In the figure: Path of the Naxalite movement.
As per the textbook the movement got its name from the village Naxalbari; the book notes that its effect still continues in some areas. (check with the book)
Naxalbari 1967 = name; land distribution = aim; violence = the wrong turn.
Not all farmers’ movements are Naxalite; the name is for the violent movements inspired by Naxalbari.
Memory clue: Naxalbari → 1967 → PLGA. Memory clue: “village = name”.
Spot the difference
| Point | In the beginning | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | Land distribution, against exploitation | Stopping government schemes |
| Method | Action committees | Violence, parallel system |
Naxalism
In the app you can move this figure with your finger.
Open in the appPractice questions
- 1Where and when did the Naxalite movement begin?
- 2What did the Naxalites declare in 1967?
- 3What were the initial aims of the movement?
- 4How did the movement stray from its aims?
- 5Why was the PLGA set up?
- 6Why is Naxalism a challenge to internal security?
- 7Name the affected districts of Maharashtra.
- 8What measures would you suggest to solve the problem of Naxalism?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1In 1967 at Naxalbari in West Bengal.
- 2That the area was free territory.
- 3Opposing landlords’ exploitation and distributing land to tillers.
- 4It turned to violence and began to stop government schemes.
- 5To keep their influence.
- 6Because they reject the democratic system and take the path of violence.
- 7Gadchiroli, Bhandara and part of Chandrapur.
- 8Taking development work there, raising education and jobs, and dialogue (student’s own view).
Communalism and regionalism
Pride in our house is good; but if we say ‘only our house is the best’ and look down on neighbours, quarrels arise. It is the same with excessive pride in religion and region.
Communalism is excessive pride in one’s religion that creates distrust of people of other religions. Regionalism is excessive pride in one’s region.
Key idea 1 : Communalism — As per the textbook, for many centuries people of different religions have lived together happily. Pride in one’s own religion is not wrong; but when it becomes excessive, bigotry arises. Then people suspect each other, riots occur and public property is damaged. So it is necessary to preserve social unity.
Key idea 2 : Remedies for communalism — People should mix with those of different religions and accept each other’s good practices and ideas. Economic and social questions should be understood rationally and not linked with religion. The economic, political and historical reasons that disturb harmony should be searched.
Key idea 3 : Regionalism — It is not wrong to say we are Bengali or Marathi; but it is wrong to feel ‘I am superior’. Regionalism grows from imbalance in development. States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Tamil Nadu went ahead, while Odisha, Bihar and Assam stayed behind. Backward states feel cheated and developed states may feel superior. Reducing the imbalance is the remedy.
- Easy : What is the base of communalism? — Bigotry.
- Medium : What increases regionalism? — Imbalance in development.
- Exam-type : What should we do for unity? — Mix with people of all religions and regions.
In the figure: Two threats and their remedies.
Excess of religion = communalism; excess of region = regionalism; remedy = dialogue + equal development.
Respecting one’s own religion or region is not communalism or regionalism; excess and looking down on others is wrong.
Memory clue: Pride is fine, excess is bad. Memory clue: “pride = yes, excess = no”.
Spot the difference
| Point | Communalism | Regionalism |
|---|---|---|
| Excess of what? | Pride in religion | Pride in region |
| Main cause | Bigotry, distrust | Imbalance in development |
| Remedy | Dialogue, reason | Equal development |
Practice questions
- 1What is communalism?
- 2What is regionalism?
- 3State two bad effects of communalism.
- 4When does regionalism grow?
- 5What can we do to end communalism?
- 6How does regionalism show in developed and backward states?
- 7Explain with reasons the statement “we should fight communalism with all our strength”.
- 8State with an example the difference between pride and excessive pride.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Excessive pride in one’s own religion and distrust of others.
- 2Excessive pride in one’s own region.
- 3Riots and damage to public property (or mutual distrust).
- 4When there is imbalance in development between states.
- 5Mixing with people of all religions, accepting good ideas and thinking about problems rationally.
- 6Developed states feel superior; backward ones feel cheated.
- 7Because without social unity, national unity is not possible and distrust shakes society.
- 8Being proud of one’s village is fine; looking down on other villages is excess.