Chapter 9 - Recent Developments in Indian Politics : Important Questions and Answers

List of Questions and Answers

1.Bhartiya Janata Party is rebirth of which of the following political party?
(a) Bhartiya Jana Sangh
(b) Bahujan samaj party
(c) Samajwadi party
(d) Shiv sena

Ans:(a) Bhartiya Jana Sangh

2.Why is violence between two communities considered as a threat to democracy?

Ans:
Anti-Sikh riots in 1984 and February-March 2002 Gujarat riots showed dangers involved in using religious sentiments for political purposes hence it is said that violence between two communities considered as a threat to democracy.

3.How far was the Government of India justified in passing the "Muslim Women Act, 1986" that nullified the Supreme Court’s judgement in favour of Shah Bano?

Ans:

  • This action of the government was opposed by many women's organisations, many Muslim groups and most of the intellectuals.
  • The BJP criticised this action of the Congress government as an unnecessary concession and "appeasement" of the minority community.

4.Describe the outcome of the "Assam Accord" of 1985.

Ans:
Assam Accord was signed in 1985 between Rajiv Gandhi-led government and the AASU leaders.
The main motive of Assam Accord agreement is to :

  • Identify foreign migrants who came to Assam after Bangladesh war and deport them.
  • The AASU leaders and the Asom Gana Sangram Parishad organised themselves as a regional political party called Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and came to power in 1985 promising people to build Golden Assam by resolving the foreign national problem.

5.What are the causes responsible for the political rise of other Backward Communities in India ?

Ans:

  • In the 1980s, the Janata Dal brought together a similar combination of political groups with strong support among the OBCs.
  • The decision of the National Front government to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission further helped in shaping the politics of "Other Backward Classes".
  • The intense national debate for and against reservation in jobs made people from the OBC communities more aware of this identity.
  • This period saw the emergence of many parties that sought better opportunities for OBCs in education and employment and also raised the question of the share of power enjoyed by the OBCs.
  • These parties claimed that since OBCs constituted a large segment of Indian society, it was only democratic that the OBCs should get adequate representation in administration and have their due share of political power.

6.Discuss the developments that took place after the demolition of Babri Masjid.

Ans:

  • The State government, with the BJP as the ruling party, was dismissed by the Centre. Along with that, other States where the BJP was in power, were also put under President’s rule.
  • A case against the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh was registered in the Supreme Court for contempt of court since he had given an undertaking that the disputed structure will be protected.
  • The central government appointed a commission to investigate the circumstances leading to the demolition of the mosque.
  • Most political parties condemned the demolition and declared that this was against the principles of secularism.

7.What are the factors leading to the Ayodhya dispute ?

Ans:
Following are the factors leading to Ayodhya dispute:

  • A dispute had been going on for many decades over the mosque known as Babri Masjid at Ayodhya.Some hindus believe the mosque was built after demolishing temple of Lord Rama.
  • The dispute made a way to court and was going on for decades. In the late 1940s the mosque was locked up by court.
  • Later the court ordered that the Babri Masjid premises be unlocked so that Hindus could offer prayers at the site which they considered as a temple.
  • As soon as the locks of the Babri Masjid were opened, mobilisation began on both sides.
  • Many Hindu and Muslim organisations tried to mobilise their communities on this question and this dispute led to tensed atmosphere and many instances of communal violence.
  • The BJP made this issue its major electoral and political plank and to generate public support started a massive march called Rath Yatra from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya in UP.

8.Describe the developments that took place after the demolition of Babri Masjid.

Ans:

  • The demolition led to clashes between Hindus and Muslims in many parts of the country.
  • The State government, with the BJP as the ruling party, was dismissed by the Centre.
  • Other States where the BJP was in power, were also put under President's rule.
  • A case was filed against the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in the Supreme Court for contempt of court since he had given an undertaking that the disputed structure will be protected.
  • The central government appointed a commission to investigate the circumstances leading to the demolition of the mosque.