Regional aspirations — NCERT Solutions

Matching:

• (a) Socio-religious identity leading to statehood → i. Nagaland / Mizoram
• (b) Linguistic identity and tensions with Centre → iii. Punjab
• (c) Regional imbalance leading to demand for Statehood → ii. Jharkhand / Chattisgarh
• (d) Secessionist demands on account of tribal identity → iv. Tamil Nadu

So the correct matching is a–i, b–iii, c–ii, d–iv.

The main provisions of the Punjab Accord (Rajiv Gandhi–Longowal Accord, 1985) were:

• Chandigarh was to be transferred to Punjab.
• A separate commission was to be appointed to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
• A tribunal was to be set up to decide the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Compensation and better treatment were to be given to those affected by militancy.
• The Armed Forces Special Powers Act was to be withdrawn from Punjab.

These provisions could become a basis for further tension because:

• The issues of Chandigarh, border demarcation, and river water sharing involved Punjab’s neighbours, especially Haryana and Rajasthan.
• If the decisions of the commission or tribunal were not acceptable to all sides, they could create new disputes.
• So, although the accord aimed at peace, some of its provisions were linked to inter-state disagreements and could therefore lead to fresh tension.

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution became controversial because:

• It asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine centre-state relations.
• It spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum and used the term bolbala meaning dominance/hegemony of the Sikhs.
• To many people, this looked like a demand for too much autonomy and even raised suspicion about separatist intentions.
• It was also linked with later demands about water distribution and autonomous Sikh identity, which made it more controversial.

So, although it was presented as a plea for strengthening federalism, it was seen by many as politically sensitive and divisive.

Jammu and Kashmir had three social and political regions:

• Jammu: a mix of foothills and plains; predominantly Hindu, though Muslims, Sikhs and others also live there.
• Kashmir: mainly the Kashmir valley; inhabited mostly by Kashmiri Muslims, with Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and others.
• Ladakh: mainly mountainous; sparsely populated and almost equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims.

These internal differences created multiple regional aspirations:

• In Kashmir, many people identified with Kashmiriyat and wanted greater autonomy, restoration of autonomy, or even a plebiscite.
• In Jammu, the social composition is different, so its political concerns are not the same as those of Kashmir valley.
• In Ladakh, people had their own distinct religious and geographical identity, so they too had separate aspirations.

Thus, because the state was not socially or politically uniform, different regions within it developed different demands and expectations.

The chapter mentions three main positions on Kashmir’s regional autonomy:

1. Outside J&K, some people felt that Article 370 did not allow full integration with India, so it should be revoked and J&K should be treated like any other state.
2. Many Kashmiris felt that the autonomy given by Article 370 was not enough. They demanded:

• a plebiscite,
• restoration of autonomy or Greater State Autonomy,
• and fuller democratisation.

3. A moderate democratic position is to maintain a framework that respects Kashmir’s distinct identity while keeping it within the Indian Union through negotiation and accommodation.

The most justifiable position is the one based on democratic negotiation and constitutional accommodation. The chapter says the best response to regional aspirations is through dialogue rather than suppression. So, respecting the people’s aspirations while preserving unity is the most reasonable approach.

The Assam movement was a combination of cultural pride and economic backwardness.

Cultural pride

• The Assamese feared that illegal migration and the presence of many outsiders would reduce the indigenous Assamese people to a minority.
• They wanted to protect their identity, language and culture.
• The movement was also against domination by Bengalis and other outsiders.

Economic backwardness

• Assam had oil, tea and coal, but people felt these resources were being drained out without proper benefit to the local people.
• There was widespread poverty and unemployment in the state.
• The issue of a faulty voters’ list also added to the feeling that migrants were gaining unfair political advantage.

So the movement was not only about identity, but also about the feeling that Assam’s resources, jobs and political rights were being taken away.