Indian Democracy & Social Syst

Cheatsheet Content

### Post-Partition Challenges India faced significant challenges after independence, including: - **Partition Migration:** Millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims migrated, leading to widespread misery, violence, and nearly a million deaths by late 1947. - **Impact:** Created religious, linguistic, social, and economic problems. - **Solutions:** - The Abducted Persons (Recovery and Restoration) Act, 1949 - The Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act, 1954 - The Citizenship Act of 1955 - Rights of Minorities included as Fundamental Rights. - **Integration of Princely States:** - **Stand Still Agreement:** Maintain status quo, preventing joining Pakistan. - **Instrument of Accession:** Consent to merge with the Indian Union while retaining internal self-governance. - **Merger Agreement:** Complete accession to the Indian Union, ending self-governance rights. ### First General Election (1951-1952) The first general election was a major "experiment" due to numerous challenges: - Delimiting constituencies. - Preparing voter lists based on adult franchise. - Educating illiterate majority on voting necessity. - Finding and training election officials. - Ensuring transparent, impartial, and fair elections. **Outcome:** Successfully held, marking the beginning of democratic administration with Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister. ### One-Party Dominance to Coalition System - **One-Party Dominance:** A single political party continuously wins with a large majority and retains power within a democratic framework. - **Early Years:** Indian National Congress dominated from 1952, winning elections in 1957 and 1962. - **Shift:** In 1967, Congress dominance at the state level faced setbacks. - **Interruption:** Janata Party ruled from 1977-1979. - **Return & End:** Congress regained power in 1980 and 1984, but by 1989, Indian politics shifted to a multi-party coalition system. - **Coalition Politics Formation:** - Parties agree to contest as a front with a common minimum program before elections. - Creating alliances and forming government after elections. - Providing external support to a government without a majority. ### Emergency (1975-1977) A major crisis in Indian democracy declared on June 25, 1975 under Article 352. - **Background:** - Agitations against the central government (e.g., Gujarat under Morarji Desai, Bihar under Jayaprakash Narayan). - Economic crisis, food shortages, and unemployment in the 1970s. - Allahabad High Court nullified PM Indira Gandhi's election; opposition demanded her resignation. - Supreme Court stayed the verdict, but the central government declared emergency citing internal security threat. - **Impact:** - Abolished the federal system, concentrated power in the union government. - Froze fundamental rights and abolished judicial review. - Opposition leaders imprisoned without trial. - Censorship imposed on newspapers. - Economic restrictions. - **Outcome:** Revoked in March 1977. Congress lost elections, and the Janata Party formed the government with Morarji Desai as PM. Highlighted the importance of civil society, media, and civil rights. ### Popular Movements and Indian Democracy Movements emerged after 1970 to protect interests and attain representation for various social groups. #### Backward Class Movements & Mandal Commission - **Backward Classes:** Socially and educationally backward groups not in Scheduled Castes/Tribes. - **Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953):** Appointed to study backwardness, but recommendations not implemented. - **Mandal Commission (1979):** Headed by B. P. Mandal, constituted by Janata Party government. - **Recommendation (1980):** 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions. - **Implementation (1990):** V. P. Singh's National Front government implemented it, leading to protests. - **Supreme Court:** Approved implementation. - **Significance:** Ensured welfare of nearly half the population, led to emergence of OBC-dominated political parties (e.g., Janata Dal). #### Dalit Movements Aimed at addressing marginalization, lack of rights, and inequality faced by Dalit communities despite constitutional guarantees. - **Inspiration:** Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's ideas of social justice, equality, and annihilation of caste. - **Dalit Panthers Movement (1972, Maharashtra):** - Led by educated Dalit youth. - Organized aggressive resistance against caste discrimination, public protests against police brutalities. - Influenced literature, cinema, and persuaded government to act against attacks on Dalits. - **BAMCEF (1978):** Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation. - Aimed for political empowerment of SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities. - Led to the formation of Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under Kanshi Ram. - BSP gained political influence in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. #### Women's Movements Advocate for gender equality, education, employment, and proportional representation, addressing issues like domestic violence, oppression, and sexual harassment. - **Anti-Arrack Movement (1990s, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh):** - Women protested against locally brewed arrack due to its links to social discord, mental/physical health issues, economic ruin, domestic violence, and poverty. - Evolved to address broader women's issues like sexual harassment and gender discrimination, raising social awareness. - **Nirbhaya Movement (2012, Delhi):** - Mass movement against violence against women after a sexual assault and murder case in Delhi. - **Demands:** Strong legal action, speedy legal processes, exemplary punishment for sexual violence. - **Outcome:** Led to the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013 (Nirbhaya Act) and fast-track courts for sexual violence cases. #### Fishermen's Movement - **Context:** Indian fishermen are the world's second-largest fishing community, with millions dependent on it. - **Causes:** Changes in economic policies (mid-1980s) affecting the fishing sector; policies related to deep-sea fishing. - **Leadership:** National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) coordinated traditional fishing workers' collectives. - **Issues:** Granting fishing licenses to foreign companies, trawling licenses destroying traditional industry. - **Objectives:** Protect rights, coastal environment. - **Impact:** Increased participation in the democratic system. #### Environmental Movements Emerged against environmental problems and social injustice caused by unscientific development. - **Focus:** Large-scale irrigation, industries, mining, deforestation. - **Interventions:** Natural resource conservation, biodiversity, environmental policy, awareness, sustainable development. - **Key Movements:** - **Chipko Movement:** Women's leadership, embracing trees to protect forests in the Himalayas from industrial felling. Stood for indigenous rights over forest resources. - **Silent Valley Movement:** Against proposed hydroelectric project in Silent Valley, Kerala. Stood for rainforest and biodiversity conservation. Project abandoned; Silent Valley declared a National Park. - **Narmada Bachao Andolan:** Against Sardar Sarovar project on Narmada River. Worked against eviction of tribal people, protected livelihoods, opposed unjust evictions and sought rehabilitation. Medha Patkar was a key leader. - **Outcomes:** Led to environmental protection laws (e.g., Biodiversity Act 2002, Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act 2006, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act 2013), protected areas, and national parks. #### Peasant Movements Addressed problems faced by farmers, especially after liberalization policies in the mid-1980s. - **Impact of Liberalization:** Crisis in agriculture, adversely affecting production, food security, and employment. - **Key Organizations:** - **Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU):** Uttar Pradesh, mobilised rural farmers for massive protests. - **Shetkari Sanghatana:** Maharashtra. - **Raita Sangha:** Karnataka. - **Recent Example:** Farmers' protest by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (2020-2021) against Central Government's agricultural laws, leading to government acceptance of demands. #### Right to Information (RTI) Movement - **Origin:** Started in 1990 by Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan. - **Initial Demand:** Access to documents related to public works in Bhim Tehsil due to suspicion of misuse of public money. - **National Campaign:** National Council for People's Right to Information (Delhi) launched nationwide propaganda. - **Outcome:** Right to Information Act passed by Indian Parliament in 2005. - **Provisions:** Citizens can obtain information from public institutions within 30 days (48 hours if life/liberty threatened). - **Mechanism:** Chief Information Officer in each institution; appeals to superiors if information not received. - **Commissions:** RTI Commissions at Centre and states. - **Purpose:** Ensures transparency, eradicates corruption, strengthens democracy. ### Regional Movements Arise from regional needs for special consideration, benefits, or protection, based on diversity (geography, language, culture, etc.). - **Types:** Anti-immigration, regional autonomy, separatist. #### Dravidian Movement - **Origin:** Tamil Nadu, early 20th century. - **Influences:** Political empowerment of Dravidian people, growth of Tamil language, rationalism. - **Aim:** Resist Brahmin cultural dominance over Dravidian culture. - **Key Figure:** E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker's Self-Respect Movement. - **Political Party:** Dravida Kazhagam, later Dravida Munnetta Kazhagam (DMK). - **Impact:** DMK came to power in 1967, influencing subsequent Tamil Nadu politics. #### Anti-Immigration Movements Formed due to ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, and employment problems caused by uncontrolled immigration. - **Assam Movement (1979-1985):** - **Led by:** All Assam Students' Union. - **Concern:** Illegal immigration from Bangladesh eliminating employment opportunities for Assamese and causing poverty. - **Demand:** Expulsion of illegal immigrants after 1951. - **Outcome:** Widespread violence, resolved partly by agreement between Central Government and protesters in 1985. #### Movements for Autonomy Demand greater autonomy within India or special statehood due to regional neglect, linguistic/cultural differences, or unbalanced economic growth. - **Gorkha Land Movement:** - **Organization:** Gorkha National Liberation Front. - **Demand:** Separate state for Nepali-speaking Gorkha community in West Bengal. - **Solution:** Autonomous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (1988), later Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (2012). - **Jharkhand Movement:** - **Organization:** Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. - **Demand:** Separate Jharkhand state by dividing Bihar. - **Solution:** Jharkhand state formed in 2000. - **Telangana Movement:** - **Organization:** Telangana Rashtra Samithi. - **Demand:** Separate Telangana state by dividing Andhra Pradesh. - **Solution:** Telangana state formed in 2014. #### Separatist Movements Aim to separate certain regions from India to form independent states. - **Khalistan Movement (Punjab):** - **Demand:** Separate nation (Khalistan) for Sikh people. - **Leadership:** Extremist faction of Sikh community, adopted armed means. - **Golden Temple:** Militants made it their center. - **Operation Blue Star (1984):** Military operation by central government to suppress terrorists. - **Aftermath:** Assassination of PM Indira Gandhi, anti-Sikh riots, many deaths. - **Resolution:** Punjab Accord (1985) signed by PM Rajiv Gandhi and Sikh leader Harchand Singh Longowal. Effective democratic processes restored peace. - **Jammu and Kashmir:** - **Context:** Granted special rights under Article 370 (revoked in 2019). - **Aim:** Divide Kashmir from India to form an independent nation or join Pakistan. - **Threat:** Armed insurgencies posed threat to security, unity, and integrity. - **Government Response:** Peace talks, special economic and development activities. - **2019:** Article 370 revoked; J&K reorganized into two Union Territories (J&K and Ladakh). - **2024:** Peaceful elections held, Omar Abdullah formed government. - **North-East Regions:** - **Mizo National Front (MNF) - Laldenga:** - **Demand:** Separate nation for Mizo Tribe. - **Solution:** Peace accord (1986) granted Mizoram full statehood with special powers. - **Naga National Council (NNC) - Angami Zapu Phizo:** - **Demand:** Unification of Naga Territory, autonomy, conservation of tribal culture. - **Solution:** Signed Naga Peace Accord (2015). ### Other Challenges Faced by Indian Democracy Challenges that destabilize the democratic process, affect peace, national progress, and economic growth. #### Communalism - **Definition:** Dividing people based on religion, creating social conflict. - **Historical Context:** British 'divide and rule' strategy, post-partition riots. - **Threat:** Undermines secularism and social justice, poses threat to national unity. - **Political Impact:** Formation of public opinion based on religion, political parties using it to influence voters. - **Countermeasures:** Public awareness, sensitisation, democratic literacy. #### Tensions in Centre-State Relations - **Constitutional Framework:** Powers divided, but Centre has more power and vantage in some matters. States have rights to exercise their powers. - **Problem:** Central Governments often interfere in state rights directly or through Governors. Politics interfering in centrally-funded schemes and resource distribution. - **Resolution:** Judiciary has authority to resolve legal disputes. - **Sarkaria Commission (1983):** - **Purpose:** Appointed to study Centre-State relations. - **Findings (1988):** Centre's powers increasing; constitutional and political changes needed to avoid friction. - **Recommendations:** Not fully implemented, but widely welcomed. - **Role of Governor:** - **Controversial:** Appointed by President on Centre's recommendation, not elected. - **Issue:** Actions often interpreted as Centre's interference, especially when different parties govern at Centre and States. - **Sarkaria Commission Recommendation:** Active politicians should not be appointed as Governors. - **Article 356 Controversy:** Empowers President to impose Presidential Rule in states based on Governor's report, dismissing elected governments. - **Use:** First invoked in 1951 (Punjab). Used extensively after 1967. - **Example:** Dissolution of Kerala Government in 1959 despite clear majority. - **Powers and Functions:** - **Nominal Head:** Governor is nominal head; real executive power with Chief Minister and Cabinet. - **Legislative Powers:** Summon/prorogue/dissolve assembly, address assembly, assent to bills, promulgate ordinances, grant prior permission for budgets/money bills. - **Executive Powers:** All state executive powers in Governor's name, invite majority party leader to form government, appoint CM and other ministers, appoint Advocate General, PSC Chairman/members. - **Judiciary Powers:** Grant pardon, suspend, remit, or commute sentences for state-related offenses. - **Discretionary Powers:** Forming Council of Ministers if no single party majority, submitting report to President on state affairs, actions on bills (assent, return, submit to President). - **Ideal Role:** Friend, philosopher, and guide to the cabinet, upholding democratic process and constitutional dignity. #### Corruption - **Definition:** Use of power/position, acceptance of rewards beyond legal remuneration (bribery, nepotism, illegal wealth acquisition). - **Impact:** Adversely affects financial investments, economic growth, and democratic system. Concentrates rights/welfare to few, causing public to lose faith. - **Prevention:** Public awareness, strong legal system, politically independent investigation mechanisms, transparent financial sources for parties, transparent governance, anti-corruption awareness. - **Electoral Bond:** - **Purpose:** Allowed individuals/corporates to donate any amount to political parties (introduced in 2017-2018 budget). - **Eligibility:** Parties with >1% votes in previous elections. - **Mechanism:** Bonds from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore via SBI, tax-deductible. Parties convert bonds to cash within 15 days. - **Supreme Court Ruling (Feb 15, 2024):** Quashed electoral bonds, ruling them anti-constitutional and against fundamental rights due to lack of transparency. #### Criminalisation of Politics - **Definition:** Political leaders/workers engaging in or encouraging criminal activities; involvement of individuals with criminal acts in politics. - **Impact:** Intimidating voters, eroding democratic values, causing citizens to lose faith when criminals become rulers. - **Solutions:** Electoral reforms (prohibiting those facing trial/convicted from contesting), strong legal systems, awareness campaigns. #### Defection - **Definition:** Elected representative abandoning their party to join another. - **Impact:** Betrays voter trust, creates governance crises, challenges democracy. - **Response:** Anti-Defection Law passed in 1985 (52nd Constitutional Amendment). - **Resort Politics:** Parties adopt strategies (e.g., gathering members at specific venues) to prevent defection, first seen in Haryana (1982), spread to other states. ### Know the Indian Social System - **Analogy:** Society is like a complex organic system (human body). - **Organic System:** Interrelated parts with specific functions, working together to maintain equilibrium. - **Relevance:** Helps understand the systematic arrangement and interdependence of various components within Indian society.