CLASS – XII

REGIONAL ASPIRATIONS
Q1. . Name the three social and political regions of the Northern most state of India.
Answer: Names of the three social and political regions of the Northern most state of India—
(i) Jammu (ii) Kashmir (iii) Ladakh
2. Why were the seven small states created in North-East India?
Answer: Seven small states were created in North-East India because of demands for (i)
autonomy (ii) movements for secession (iii) opposition to outsiders.
3. Which students group led the anti foreigner movement in Assam?
Answer: All Assam Students’ Union in 1979 (AASU).
4. Who were the signatories of Punjab Accord of 1985?
Answer: The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, the then
President of Akali Dal.
5. What was ‘operation Blue Star’? Why did it hurt the sentiments of the
Sikh Community?
Answer-Operation Blue Star was a code name for army action in Golden Temple in June 1984 by
Government of India when Sikh militants made their headquarters inside Golden Temple. In this
operation, the government could flush out the militants successively. But it deeply hurt the sentiments of
the Sikhs because a large proportion of their community in India saw this operation as an attack on their
faith.
6. How did India meet with the challenge of diversity?
Answer: By redrawing the internal boundaries of the country, i.e. created
Chhattisgarh ,Jharkhand and Uttarakhand etc.
7. What is the significance of Article 370?
Answer: 1. To give greater autonomy to J & K.
2. To specify that state has its own constitution.
3. All provisions of constitution are not applicable to state.
8. Which Prime Minister expressed regret over violence against Sikhs after Indira Gandhi’s
death?
Answer: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 after twenty years in Parliament to regret
over the killings of Sikhs.
9. When was first normal election held in Punjab after violence?
Answer: In 1997 in the post militancy era and alliance of Akali Dal and BJP scored victory.
10. What do you mean by Seven Sisters?
Answer. The ‘North-East region’ consisting of seven states is referred to as seven sisters.
11. Mention the outcomes of Assam Accord of 1985.
Answer: ‘Assam Accord’ was signed between Rajiv Gandhi-led government and AASU leaders
over the issue of ‘outsiders’ in 1985: 1. The foreigners who migrated into Assam during and
after Bangladesh war and since were to be identified and deported. 2. The Asom Gana Parishad
came to power in 1985 with the promise of resolving the foreign national problems as well as to
build a ‘Golden Assam’.
12. Which accord proved to be a turning point in the history of Mizoram?
Answer: The accord between Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga of 1986 granted full fledged statehood
with special powers to Mizoram. Even MNF (Mizo National Front) agreed to give up
secessionists struggle.
13. What was the main outcome of Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal accord in July 1985?
Answer: 1. Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab. 2. A separate commission to be
appointed to resolve border dispute between Punjab and Haryana. 3. A tribunal to be set up to
settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. 4. To
withdraw the Armed forces special power Act in Punjab.
14. Describe the outcome of Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973.

Answer: Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at the conference of Akali Dal at Anandpur
Sahib in 1973: (a) To ascertain regional autonomy and to redefine centre-state relations. (b)
Sikhs aspirations aimed at ‘bolbala’ of Sikhs. (c) It could also be interpreted as a plea for
separate sikh nation despite federal spirit.
But, it became controversial due to following reasons: 1. Due to lack of popularity of Akali Dal
resolution had a United appeal. 2. Akali government was dismissed in 1980 and it lost its
importance. 3. Akali Dal launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab,
and its neighbouring states. 4. Movement went into the hands of extremist elements from
moderate Akalis and converted into armed insurgency for which Anandpur Sahib Resolution
considered responsible.
15. What were the main provisions of the Punjab accord? In what way can they be the basis for
further tensions between the Punjab and its neighbouring States?

Answer: Punjab Accord was an agreement signed between the then Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, the then President of Akali Dal in 1985 to be known as
‘Rajiv Gandhi Longowal Accord’ also to create normalcy in Punjab: 1. Chandigarh would be
transferred to Punjab. 2. To appoint a separate commission to resolve border dispute between
Punjab and Haryana. 3. To set up a tribunal to settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water
among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. 4. To provide agreement for compensation to better
treatment to those affected by militancy in Punjab. 5. To withdraw the Armed forces special
power Act (AFSPA) in Punjab.

But, peace could not be established easily in Punjab and resulted as follows: (a) it led to many
excesses by police and violation of human rights. (b) It fragmented the Akali Dal. (c) President’s
rule was imposed and normal political process was suspended. (d) Hence, Political process
could not be restored in this atmosphere. Even during elections in 1992, only 24% electors
turned out to vote. Consequently above mentioned added to tension between Punjab and its
neighbouring states.

16. Explain the internal divisions of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and describe how these
lead to multiple regional aspirations in that State.
Answer: Jammu and Kashmir comprised of three regions: 1. Kashmir region is Kashmir valley
consisting Kashmiri speaking and mostly Muslim with a Kashmiri speaking Hindu minority. 2.
Jammu region consists of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and speakers of various languages, in the
areas of foothills and plains. 3. Ladakh region is equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims
and maintains a little population area. These internal divisions led to multiple regional
aspirations: 1. One strand of separatist to demand a separate Kashmiri nation independent of
India and Pakistan. 2. Some other groups want Kashmir to be merged with Pakistan. 3. Third
strand wants a greater autonomy for people of state within Indian Union. 4. The demand for
intra-state autonomy is as strong as the demand for the state autonomy. In present scenario,
most of the separatist in dialogue are trying to re-negotiate a relationship of state with India.
17.What are the various positions on the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir? Which of
these do you think are justifiable? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: On the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir, the following positions are states as: 1.
Kashmiris were promised to make accession on reference of people after situation created by
tribal invasion, becomes normal. But it has not been fulfilled , hence, it generated the demand
for “Plebiscite”. 2. Sometimes, it was felt that special federal status guaranteed by Article 370
has been eroded practically which led the demand for restoration of autonomy or “Greater
State Autonomy”. 3. It is felt that democracy, which is practised in rest of India has not been
similarly institutionalised in Jammu and Kashmir. We prefer the first position because
‘Plebiscite’ provides better opportunity to people of J & K to protect and sustain their regional
autonomy in a very democratic manner.

18. The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness.
Explain. Answer: Because: 1. It was against outsiders to maintain cultural integration of Assam.
2. There was widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam, despite existence of natural
resources like tea, coal and oil. 3. It was felt that these were drained out of state without any
equal benefit to the people.

19. “Regional aspirations, regional imbalances and regionalism are a hindrance in the way of
national unity of India”. Do you agree with the statement?

Answer: Because: 1. Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics. 2. Expression of

regional issues is not an abnormal phenomenon. 3. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland have
regional aspirations in United Kingdom. 4. Regional movements are responded through
democratic negotiations rather than suppression. 5. Its examples are in eighties, militancy
erupted in Punjab, problems persisted in the North-East, students agitated in Assam and
Kashmir Valley was on the boil. 6. The government of India settled down some negotiations
with these regional aspirations to reduce tensions in many regions. 7. Mizoram is an example of
political settlement to resolve the problem of separation effectively.

20. Picture/Map Based Questions:

1. The 22nd State of India due to its merger.-SIKKIM
2. The state out of which the states of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh were created.-
ASSAM
3. The state whose leader signed an agreement with Rajiv Gandhi IN 1985- PUNJAB
4. An important state whose leader was LaL Denga.-`MIZORAM
5. Two states which not part of state of Assam were at the time of India’s Independence. –
MANIPUR AND TRIPURA
6. The state associated with Golden Temple and ‘Operation Blue Star’.-PUNJAB