1. Write briefly.
(1) Which demands were put forward through the ‘Anandpur Sahib resolution’ by the Akali Dal?
Ans. In 1973, the Akali Dal passed the ‘Aanandpur Sahib Resolution’. The following demands were made in this resolution:
(1) Chandigarh should be made part of Punjab.
(2) The Punjabi speaking parts in other states should be included in the state of Punjab.
(3) Recruitment of people from Punjab in the Indian army should be increased.
(4) More autonomy should be given to the state of Punjab.
(2) What can we do to end communalism?
Ans. The only way to put an end to communalism and strengthen national unity is as follows:
(1) We should mix with people of different religions.
(2) We should accept the good practices and ideas of each other.
(3) We should be able to look at and understand our economic and social problems rationally.
(4) We should not mix these questions with religion.
(5) We should search for the economic, political or historical reasons that are responsible for disturbing religious harmony.
(3) When does regionalism become strong?
Ans. (1) Regionalism thrives on regional imbalance in development. (2) In the post independence period, some States achieved more progress, while some States remained backward. (3) Economic development and reforms are the foundation of progress. (4) As a result, the States that develop economically can also achieve progress in other areas like education, health and culture while other remain backward in education and civic amenities. (5) The people of developed States begin to believe that they are superior and begin to look down upon the people of underdeveloped regions. (6) On the other hand, the people from backward areas need to arouse their regional identity to organise themselves. For this, they try to unnecessarily glorify local traditions and culture to prove their uniqueness.
2. Explain the following concepts in your own words.
(1) Communalism
Ans. (1) Communalism is a serious threat to the unity of our country. (2) Communalism emerges out of narrow religious pride, when this pride becomes excessive, then it turns into bigotry. (3) Each one then begins to consider their religion superior and others’ inferior. This leads to religious fanaticism. (4) Fanaticism is the base of communalism. It makes one oblivious of national interest. (5) People of different religions don’t trust each other. They become suspicious of each other.
(2) Regionalism
Ans. (1) Regionalism means having excessive pride about one’s region. (2) It is one thing to introduce oneself as a Bengali or a Marathi person. (3) But if I think that because I am a Bengali or a Marathi, I am superior to others from other provinces; it can be termed as excessive regional pride. (4) The love for one’s province turns morbid due to this kind of an excessive regional pride. (5) It is natural to feel love for one’s province, but it should not become abnormal.
3. Give reasons.
(1) It became necessary to carry out the ‘Operation Blue Star’.
Ans. (1) Bhindranwale was arrested in 1981, accused of the murder of newspaper editor, Lala Jagatnarayan. (2) After this incident, the situation worsened. (3) President’s rule was imposed in Punjab in 1983. (4) Bhindranwale went to stay at a religious place called Akal Takht. (5) Bhindranwale’s followers captured the Golden Temple and built a barricade of sand bags over there. (6) The area looked like a fort. This greatly disturbed the peace in Punjab. It was a major challenge to Indian democracy. So it became necessary to carry out the ‘Operation Blue Star’.
(2) We should fight communalism with all our strength.
Ans. We should fight communalism with all our strength because:
(1) Communalism is a serious threat to the unity of our country. (2) Communalism emerges out of narrow religious pride. (3) When this pride becomes excessive, then it turns into bigotry. Each one then begins to consider their religion superior and others’ inferior. This leads to religious fanaticism. (4) Fanaticism is the base of communalism. It makes one oblivious of national interest. (5) People of different religions don’t trust each other. They become suspicious of each other.
4. Write the full forms.
(1) MNF (2) NNC (3) PLGA
Ans. (1) Mizo National Front
(2) Naga National Council
(3) People’s Liberation Guerilla Army