Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science with Solutions and marking scheme Set 6 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Political Science Set 6 with Solutions
Time Allowed: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- The question paper consists of five sections (A, B, C, D, and E) with 30 questions in total.
- All questions are compulsory.
- Question numbers 1-12 are multiple choice questions of one mark each.
- Question numbers 13-18 are of 2 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 50-60 words each.
- Question numbers 19-23 are of 4 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 100-120 words each. There is an internal choice in two of the 4 marks questions
- Question numbers 24-26 are passage, cartoon and map-based questions. Answer accordingly.
- Question numbers 27-30 are of 6 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 170-180 words.
- There is an internal choice in 6 marks questions.
Section-A (12 Marks)
Question 1.
What was the economic system adopted by the Soviet Union? [1]
(a) Capitalism
(b) Socialism
(c) Communism
(d) Mixed economy
Answer:
(c) Communism
Explanation:
The Soviet Union adopted the economic system of communism, which aimed to abolish private property and establish an egalitarian society.
Question 2.
Which of the following statements is incorrect? [1]
(a) India has maintained good relations with all the post-communist countries.
(b) India’s relations with Russia are an important aspect of India’s foreign policy.
(c) Russia and India share a vision of a bipolar world order.
(d) Russia and India have collaborated on various scientific projects.
Answer:
(c) Russia and India share a vision of a bipolar world order.
Explanation:
India had no vision of the bi-polar world and it was one of the founding members of the NAM
Question 3.
What was the purpose of the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) established in 1948? [1]
(a) To provide military aid to Western European countries
(b) To promote economic cooperation and channel financial aid
(c) To establish a collective security structure
(d) To facilitate political integration among European countries
Answer:
(b) To promote economic cooperation and channel financial aid
Explanation:
The OEEC was established under the Marshall Plan to aid in the revival of Europe’s economy by coordinating trade and economic issues and channeling financial assistance.
Question 4.
……………… is the single largest contributor of economic resources to the UN. [1]
(a) USA
(b) China
(c) Russia
(d) India
Answer:
(a) USA
Explanation:
The United States of America is the single largest contributor of economic resources to the United Nations.
Question 5.
Which South Asian country experienced the abolition of monarchy and emerged as a democratic republic in 2008? [1]
(a) Pakistan
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Nepal
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer:
(c) Nepal
Explanation:
Nepal abolished monarchy and emerged as a democratic republic in 2008.
Question 6.
Which political party dominates the political affairs of the Maldives and won the 2018 Elections? [1]
(a) Maldivian Progressive Party
(b) Maldives Progressive Party
(c) Maldivian Democratic Party
(d) Maldives Democratic Party
Answer:
(c) Maldivian Democratic Party
Explanation:
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) dominates the political affairs of the Maldives and won the 2018 Elections.
Question 7.
What was one of the main focus of the First Five Year Plan in India? [1]
(a) Industrial development and urbanisation
(b) Education and healthcare reforms
(c) Land reforms and agrarian sector investment
(d) Infrastructure development and transportation
Answer:
(c) Land reforms and agrarian sector investment
Explanation:
The First Five-Year Plan addressed the agrarian sector, including investments in dams and irrigation, to support agricultural growth and address the impact of Partition.
Question 8.
What was a major challenge in raising the level of national income during the First Five Year Plan? [1]
(a) Low level of government investment
(b) Lack of technological advancements
(c) Insufficient savings by the population
(d) Poor implementation of land reforms
Answer:
(c) Insufficient savings by the population
Explanation:
The planners aimed to raise the level of national income by promoting higher savings, but the total capital stock was low compared to the number of employable people, making it difficult to achieve the expected increase in savings.
Question 9.
What was Lai Bahadur Shastri known for during his tenure as India’s Prime Minister? [1]
(a) His controversial leadership style
(b) His role in resolving the war with China
(c) His commitment to principles and simplicity
(d) His economic policies to overcome the food crisis
Answer:
(c) His commitment to principles and simplicity
Explanation:
PM Lal Bahadur Shastri was known for his simplicity and commitment to principles during his time as Prime Minister
Question 10.
In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read these statements and choose one correct answer from the given options
Assertion: The peaceful transition of power between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi in the Congress party was a sign of maturity of India’s democracy.
Reason: The senior leaders in the party decided to back Indira Gandhi, and she defeated Morarji Desai through a secret ballot among Congress MPs. [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation:
The peaceful transition of power between Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi, despite intense competition, indicates the maturity of India’s democracy. This is supported by the fact that senior leaders in the party decided to support Indira Gandhi, and she secured the majority of the party’s MPs’ support in the secret ballot.
Question 11.
In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read these statements and choose one correct answer from the given options
Assertion (A): The ideology of Hindutava was first given by V.D. Savarkar.
Reason (R): The politics of BJP is based on this ideology [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
Explanation:
The ideology of Hindutva was the brainchild of V.D. Savarkar who fought for the independence of India. BJP was also inspired by this ideology
Question 12.
This group in Sri Lanka demanded a separate state for the Tamils. [1]
(a) LTTE
(b) MNF
(c) NNC
(d) Al-Qaeda
Answer:
(a) LTTE
Explanation:
The LTTE fought for the rights of the Tamil people and demanded a separate state for them.
Section-B (12 Marks)
Question 13.
Which countries were among the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967? [2]
Answer:
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Question 14.
Highlight any four major policy decisions taken by the Chinese leadership after 1970 for modernization of China. [2]
Answer:
Policy decisions taken by the Chinese leadership that led to the modernization of China are:
(i) Introduction of four modernizations (agriculture, industry, science and technology and military) proposed by Premier Zhou Enlai in 1973.
(ii) Open door policy announced by Deng Xiaoping with economic reforms in China.
(iii) Trade barriers were eliminated in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), where foreign investors could set up enterprises.
(iv) China introduced a market economy with step by step strategy of privatization of agriculture followed by privatisation of industry in 1998.
Question 15.
Is terrorism a traditional or non-traditional threat to security? [2]
Answer:
Terrorism is a non-traditional threat to security.
(i) Non-traditional notions of security go beyond military threats to include a wide range of threats and dangers affecting the conditions of human existence.
(ii) Proponents of non-traditional threats to security say that not just the state but also individuals or communities or indeed all of humankind come under security.
Question 16.
What is ILO? What are some of its functions? [2]
Answer:
(i) The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded in October 1919 with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
(ii) It is a body of the United Nations which aims to promote efficient conditions of social justice and work for workers through international labour standards at the global level.
Question 17.
With which objectives did the DMK made its entry into the Indian politics? [2]
Answer:
DMK made its entry into the Indian politics with the following objectives:
(i) First, it demanded the restoration of the original name of Kallakudi railway station which had been renamed as Dalmiapuram, after an industrial house from the North.
(ii) The second objective was against the craft education scheme of the State government, which it alleged was linked to the Brahmanical social outlook It also agitated against making Hindi the country’s official language.
Question 18.
Analyse the implications of the 1947 Partition on India.
OR
“The partition of India in 1947 proved everyone’s worst fears”. How far do you agree with this statement? [2]
Answer:
Implications of the 1947 Partition of India:
(i) In the name of religion, people of one community killed and maimed people of the other community. Cities like Lahore, Calcutta (Kolkata) and Amritsar were titled as communal zones.
(ii) People went through social sufferings and were also forced to abandon their homes especially minorities, who took shelter in refugee camps.
(iii) To preserve the honour their of family, many women were killed, even many children were separated from their families and if crossed the border, they did not have any house.
Section-C (20 Marks)
Question 19.
If the Soviet Union had not disintegrated and the world had remained bipolar, how would have the situation affected the world politics? [4]
Answer:
If the Soviet Union had not disintegrated, it would definitely have affected the following developments:
(i) Cold War confrontations would not have ended and the United States of America would not have become the only superpower in the world.
(ii) Most of the countries which were part of the erstwhile USSR would have never got independence.
(iii) Accumulation of nuclear weapons would have continued endlessly.
Question 20.
Briefly explain two positive and two negative developments in Indo—Bangladesh relations. [4]
OR
Mention two areas each of co-operation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.
Answer:
Two positive and two negative developments in Indo—Bangladesh relations:
Two positive developments:
(i) Economic relations have been improved considerably in the last ten years.
(ii) Bangladesh is a part of India’s ‘Look East Policy to link up South-east Asia via Myanmar.
(iii) Both the countries have co-operated regularly on the issues of disaster management and environment.
Two negative developments:
(i) Differences over several issues including the sharing of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river waters.
(ii) India is unhappy on the issues of illegal entry of Bangladeshi immigrants into the Indian territory. Bangladesh’s support for the anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups and its refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory to reach the North Eastern region of India.
Question 21.
Why is the welfare state being replaced by market-oriented approaches? Discuss the reasons behind this shift and provide additional information on the factors driving the change.
OR
What is the impact of globalization on a state’s sovereignty? [4]
Answer:
Step I: Globalisation results in an erosion of state capacity. All over the world, the old welfare state is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens.
Step II: However, it withdraws from many of its earlier welfare functions directed at economic and social well-being. In place of the welfare state, it is the market that becomes prime determinant of economic and social priorities.
Step III: The entry and the increased role of MNCs all over the world lead to reduction in the capacity of government to take decisions on their own.
OR
(i) Globalisation reduces state capacity i.e., the ability of governments to do what they want to do.
(ii) Market becomes the prime determinant to define economic and social priorities.
(iii)Multinational companies effect on decision taken by governments because their own interest fulfillment depends on government policies.
(iv) The old welfare state is now giving way to a more minimalist state to perform certain core functions as maintenance of law and order and security.
Question 22.
As a citizen of India, do you believe that India should become a permanent member of the UN Security Council? Give reasons. [4]
Answer:
Yes, India fully deserves to be a member of the UN Security Council as its an emerging global power.
Also it fulfills the following criteria:
(a) A growing economic power
(b) A growing military power
(c) A major contributor to the UN Fund
(d) An increasing working population
(e) Respects human rights and democracy
Question 23.
What is the Kashmir issue? What is the political situation in the state since independence? [4]
OR
Regional demands from different parts of India exemplify the principle of unity with diversity. Do you agree? Give reasons.
Answer:
Kashmir Issue: It is an international dispute between India and Pakistan as well as the fight for Kashmiriyat, the identity of Kashmiris.
Since independence, the politics of J&K always remained controversial and conflict-ridden both for external and internal reasons. Externally, Pakistan has always claimed that Kashmir valley should be a part of Pakistan. Even since 1947, Kashmir has remained a major issue of conflict between India and Pakistan. Internally, there has been a dispute about the statehood of Kashmir within the Indian union. J&K was dedared as a Union Territory of Indian 2019.
OR
This statement is quite true.
(i) India’s democratic politics allows people and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration and specific regional problems.
(ii) India’s democratic politics focuses on regional issues and problems to receive adequate attention and accommodation in the policy making process. such as, regional aspirations of people of Punjab, Assam, Kashmir, etc.
(iii) For example, during the 1980’s, military erupted in Punjab, problems persisted in the North East, students agitated in Assam and Kashmir valley was on the boil.
(iv) The Government of India settled down some negotiations with these regional aspirations to reduce tensions in many regions.
(v) Mizoram is an example of political settlement to resolve the problem of separation effectively
Section-D (12 Marks)
Question 24.
Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:
‘Global poverty is another source of insecurity. World population-now at 650 crore-will reach 700 to 800 crore within 25 years and many eventually level out at 900 to 1000 crore. Currently, half the world’s population growth occurs in just six countries — India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Among the world’s poorest countries, population is expected to triple in next 50 years whereas many rich countries will see population shrinkage in that period, high per capita income and low population growth make rich states or rich social groups get richer, whereas low incomes and high population growth reinforce each other to make poor states and poor groups get poorer. [1+1+1+1]
1. What is identified as a source of insecurity in the passage? [1]
(a) Global inequality
(b) Rapid population growth
(c) Economic fluctuations
(d) Technological advancements
Answer:
(b) Rapid population growth
2. Which countries are mentioned as contributing to half of the world’s population growth? [1]
(a) USA, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Germany
(b) India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia
(c) Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom
(d) South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, South Korea, Iran, Vietnam
Answer:
(b) India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia
3. In the context of the passage, what does “per capita income” refer to? [1]
(a) Total income of a country
(b) Average income per person
(c) Income distribution among social groups
(d) Income earned by corporations
Answer:
(b) Average income per person
4. According to the passage, what is the likely impact of population growth in poor countries? [1]
(a) Economic decline and political instability
(b) Economic growth and political stability
(c) Rich states getting richer
(d) Population shrinkage in those countries
Answer:
(a) Economic decline and political instability
Question 25.
In the given outline political map of India, four states have been marked as (A), (B), (C) and (D). Identify these states on the basis of the information given below and write their correct names in your answer book along with the respective serial numbers of the information used and the concerned alphabets as per the format that follows:
[1+1+1+1]
(i) The State from which Haryana was carved out.
(ii) The State which was created in 1963.
(iii) The State from which Jharkhand was carved out.
(iv) The State which was formed by separating Telugu speaking areas from Madras (now Tamil Nadu).
| Sr. Number for the information used | Alphabet Concerned | Name of the state |
| (i) | ||
| (ii) | ||
| (iii) | ||
| (iv) |
Answer:
| Sr. Number for the information used | Alphabet Concerned | Name of the state |
| (i) | E | Punjab |
| (ii) | A | Nagaland |
| (iii) | C | Bihar |
| (iv) | D | Andhra Pradesh |
Question 26.
Study the cartoon carefully and give the answers to the question that follows: [1+1+1+1]
(i) What does this picture depict?
(ii) How can we save democracy?
(iii) What are the problems faced by the democratic government?
(iv) Can military rule and democracy work together? Give reasons.
Answer:
(i) This picture is depicting the situation where the democracy can go parallel with military rule.
(ii) Democracy can be saved by focusing more on people’s fundamental rights, with the strong opposition in the parliament as well as in the legislative assembly, and bringing awareness for the democracy in people.
(iii) Recently democratic governments have been facing problems such as corruption and inefficiency, role of anti-social elements, growing economic and social inequalities, casteism and communalism.
(iv) No, democracy and military rule cannot work together. Because, military rule imposes such restrictions wherein people’s fundamental rights are curbed.
Section-E (24 Marks)
Question 27.
Write Short note on the following NGOs.
(i) Amnesty International
(ii) Human Rights Watch
OR
What are the main objectives of WHO? [6]
Answer:
(i) Amnesty International:
• Campaigns for the protection of human rights all over the world.
• Promotes respect for all the human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• It believes that human rights are interdependent and indivisible.
• Prepares and publishes reports on human rights.
• These reports play an important role in research and advocacy on human rights.
(ii) Human Rights Watch:
• Human Rights Watch is another international NGO involved in research and advocacy on human rights.
• It draws the global media’s attention to human rights abuses.
• It helped in building international coalitions like the campaigns to ban landmines, to stop the use of child soldiers and to establish the International Criminal Court.
OR
The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations whose primary role is to direct international health within the United Nations system and to lead partners in global health responses.
The main objectives are:
(i) Raise awareness of the extent of illness, suffering and death among mothers and children, and its impact on health as well as social and economic development.
(ii) Increase understanding that solutions exist. Affordable and effective means are known that can prevent death and suffering. The challenge is to deliver a key set of preventive and curative interventions to the mothers and children who need them—to translate knowledge into action.
(iii) Generate a movement that stimulates collective responsibility and action. Families, community based groups, professional societies, national governments, and the international community all need to support the delivery of programmes and services to mothers and children, as well as fight for better access to basic health services. Every individual within society has a role to play.
(iv) To patronize and support health programs in developing nations. To periodically formulate health policies that are readily endorsed by nations. To coordinate and oversee the procurement of health services.
Question 28.
Evaluate the effectiveness of international efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development. Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation.
OR
Analyse the responsibilities and obligations of developed countries versus developing countries in addressing global environmental challenges. Discuss the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. [6]
Answer:
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aims to address climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development can be assessed through several key factors:
(i) Commitment to Emission Reductions: The Paris Agreement emphasizes the need for countries to submit voluntary nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their emission reduction targets and strategies. While these NDCs vary in ambition, they represent a significant step forward in global cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
(ii) Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: The agreement includes provisions for regular reporting and review of countries’ progress in implementing their NDCs, promoting transparency and accountability. This helps identify gaps and areas for improvement, ensuring that countries stay on track towards their climate goals.
(iii) Financial Support and Technology Transfer: The agreement recognizes the importance of providing financial resources and technology transfer from developed to developing countries to support their climate actions. This financial assistance helps developing nations adopt clean energy technologies, build resilience, and transition to low-carbon economies.
Challenges Associated with Implementation:
(i) Ambition Gap: The current collective NDCs fall short of the emission reductions needed to achieve the agreement’s temperature goals. Closing this ambition gap requires stronger commitments and increased efforts from countries to accelerate emission reductions and transition to sustainable practices.
(ii) Political Will and Compliance: The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement relies on the commitment and political will of individual countries to implement their NDCs. Some countries may face challenges in translating their commitments into concrete actions due to domestic politics, conflicting interests, or limited resources.
(iii) Adaptation and Loss and Damage: While mitigation efforts receive significant attention, the agreement also recognizes the importance of adaptation and addressing loss and damage caused by climate change. However, funding and support for adaptation initiatives, particularly in vulnerable developing countries, remain insufficient.
Opportunities Associated with Implementation:
(i) Renewable Energy Transition: The Paris Agreement provides an opportunity to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy sources. This shift can drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security.
(ii) Sustainable Development Co-benefits: Mitigation actions under the Paris Agreement can contribute to sustainable development by improving air quality, reducing deforestation, promoting clean technologies, and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. Integrating climate action with broader development goals presents opportunities for synergistic outcomes.
(iii) Global Cooperation and Solidarity: The agreement fosters international cooperation and solidarity in addressing a shared global challenge. By working together, countries can share knowledge, technologies, and best practices, and enhance capacity-building efforts to tackle climate change effectively.
OR
The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) is a fundamental concept in international environmental law and policy. It acknowledges that all countries share a common responsibility to address global environmental challenges, but recognizes that developed countries bear a greater responsibility due to their historical contributions to environmental degradation and their higher capacity to address these challenges. The analysis of responsibilities and obligations between developed and developing countries in addressing global environmental challenges can be examined as follows:
(i) Historical Responsibility: Developed countries have historically been the major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation through industrialization and economic activities. They have benefited from these activities while emitting a significant amount of greenhouse gases. As a result, developed countries have a greater responsibility to take the lead in reducing emissions and transitioning to sustainable practices.
(ii) Capacity and Resources: Developed countries generally possess greater financial resources, technological capabilities, and institutional capacity to tackle environmental challenges. They are expected to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to assist in their sustainable development efforts and adaptation to climate change.
(iii) Differentiation of Commitments: The CBDR principle recognizes the need for differentiated commitments between developed and developing countries. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), for example, distinguishes between Annex I (developed) and non-Annex I (developing) countries. Developed countries are expected to take quantified emission reduction commitments, while developing countries are encouraged to undertake mitigation actions based on their capabilities and support received.
(iv) Financial and Technological Support: Developed countries have an obligation to provide financial resources and transfer environmentally friendly technologies to developing countries. This support aims to enable developing countries to pursue sustainable development paths, build resilience to climate change impacts, and implement environmental conservation measures.
(v) Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: Developed countries should assist developing countries in enhancing their technical and institutional capacity to address environmental challenges effectively. This includes providing training, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer to foster sustainable practices.
(vi) Equity and Social Justice: The principle of CBDR emphasizes the need for equity and social justice in addressing global environmental challenges. It recognizes the vulnerabilities of developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable populations within these countries, to the impacts of environmental degradation. Developed countries have a responsibility to ensure that the burden of addressing these challenges is not disproportionately borne by the most vulnerable.
Question 29.
Discuss the challenges faced by independent India in shaping a unified nation and establishing democracy. Provide an example of how India addressed these challenges.
OR
Discuss the challenges and complexities involved in the partition of Punjab and Bengal during the process of India’s independence and the creation of Pakistan. [6]
Answer:
One of the challenges faced by independent India was to shape a nation that was united, yet accommodative of its diverse society. The diversity in India, including different languages, cultures, and religions, posed a significant challenge to national unity. The partition of the country during independence further heightened concerns about the survival of a unified India. Questions were raised about whether India could remain together in the face of such diversity and whether it would require sacrificing regional and sub-national identities.
To address this challenge, India adopted a policy of unity in diversity. It recognized and respected the various regional and sub-national identities while emphasizing the overarching national identity. The Constitution of India provided a framework for accommodating diversity through principles of federalism, linguistic and cultural rights, and minority protections. The formation of states based on linguistic and regional considerations, such as the reorganisation of states in 1956, helped in fostering a sense of regional identity and representation.
Additionally, India pursued a policy of secularism, ensuring equal rights and protection for all religions. The principle of secularism in the Indian context means that the state does not favour any particular religion and maintains equal distance from all religions. This approach aimed to foster inclusivity and promote harmony among diverse religious communities.
An example of how India addressed this challenge is the successful integration of the princely states into the Indian Union. At the time of independence, India consisted of numerous princely states that had the option to join either India or Pakistan. The process of integrating these states posed a significant challenge to national unity. Through negotiations, persuasion, and in some cases, military action, India was able to integrate the majority of the princely states into the Indian Union. This integration helped in solidifying the territorial integrity of India and creating a sense of national unity.
OR
The partition of Punjab and Bengal during the process of India’s independence and the creation of Pakistan presented significant challenges and complexities. These challenges had profound consequences and caused deep trauma during the partition.
The 1947 partition plan was based on the principle of religious majorities, where areas with a Muslim majority would become part of Pakistan, while the rest would remain with India. However, Punjab and Bengal, two of the largest provinces in British India, posed unique challenges due to their mixed populations.
In the case of Punjab, both Hindus and Sikhs constituted a significant population alongside Muslims. The division of Punjab based on religious majority meant that many areas with a mixed population had to be divided. This led to widespread violence and communal clashes as people were uprooted from their homes and forced to migrate to either India or Pakistan based on their religious identity. The partition of Punjab resulted in one of the largest mass migrations in history, with millions of people being displaced and communal violence resulting in the loss of numerous lives.
Similarly, Bengal faced similar challenges due to its diverse religious and ethnic composition. The province had a Muslim majority, but significant Hindu and tribal populations were also present. The division of Bengal led to the creation of East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) and West Bengal. The division was not only based on religious majorities but also took into consideration sub-regional identities, leading to further complexities.
The partition of Punjab and Bengal resulted in immense trauma and human suffering. People were caught in the midst of communal violence, forced to leave their ancestral homes, and experienced the loss of their loved ones. The mass migration and displacement of people created a humanitarian crisis, with overcrowded refugee camps and a lack of basic necessities.
The complexities of partition were exacerbated by the inadequacy of administrative infrastructure and the limited time available for the division. The hasty nature of the partition process left many ambiguities and disputes unresolved, contributing to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan in the years to come.
In summary, the partition of Punjab and Bengal presented significant challenges due to their mixed religious and ethnic populations. The division based on religious majorities led to violence, mass migration, and deep trauma for the affected communities. The complexities and inadequacies in the partition process continue to have lasting impacts on the relationship between India and Pakistan.
Question 30.
Is Nepal on the path of democracy? Explain
OR
Explain the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and any two consequences of it. [6]
Answer:
Nepal was a Hindu kingdom in the past and then a constitutional monarchy in modern period for many years. The king with the help of the army, retained full control over the government in Nepal.
(i) In the wake of strong pro-democracy movement, the king accepted the demand for a new democratic constitution in 1990.
(ii) During the 1990’s, the Maoists of Nepal were successful in spreading their influence in many parts of Nepal. They believed in armed insurrection against the monarch and the ruling elite. This resulted in a violent conflict between the Maoist guerrillas and the armed forces of the king.
(iii) In 2002, the king abolished the parliament and dismissed the government, thus ending even the limited democracy that existed in Nepal.
(iv) In April 2006, there were massive country wide, pro-democracy protests. This movement achived their first major victory when the king was forced to restore the House of Representatives that had been dissolved in April 2002.
(v) This Non-violent Movement was led by the Seven Party Alliance, (SPA), the Maoists and social activities. Nepal’s transition to democracy is not complete.
(vi) Maoists want the Constitution to include the radical programmes of social and economic restructuring. All the parties in the SPA may not agree with this programme.
OR
After its independence in 1948, politics in Sri Lanka was dominated by forces that represented the interest of the majority Sinhala community. Sinhala were hostile to a large number of Tamils who had migrated from India to Sri Lanka and settled there. The neglect of Tamil concerns led to militant Tamil nationalism. From 1983 onwards, the militant organization, the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LITE) has been fighting an armed struggle with the army of Sri Lanka and demanding ‘Tamil Eelam’ or a separate country for the Tamils of Sri Lanka. In 1987, the Indian Government got directly involved in the Sri Lankan Tamil question. In 1989, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) pulled out of Sri Lanka without attaining its objective.
The principal players involved in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamils who had migrated from India to Sri Lanka and settled there. This migration continued even after independence. The Sinhala nationalists thought that the Sri Lanka should not give ‘concessions’ to the Tamils because Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhala people only. The Sri Lankan crisis continues to be violent. But there is always a ray of hope. Both the communities should be regarded as the citizens of the country. Both the communities should work for the development of the country. The prospect of the resolution of this conflict is bright. The consequences of the ethnic conflict in the country are:
(A) In spite of the ongoing conflict, Sri Lanka has registered considerable economic growth and recorded high levels of human development.
(B) Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to successfully control the rate of population.