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ASSIGNMENT SOLUTIONS GUIDE (2014-2015)

M.P.S.-3
India: Democracy & Development
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teacher/Tutors/Auhtors for the help and Guidance
of the student to get an idea of how he/she can answer the Questions of the Assignments. We do not claim 100% Accuracy
of these sample Answers as these are based on the knowledge and cabability of Private Teacher/Tutor. Sample answers
may be seen as the Guide/Help Book for the reference to prepare the answers of the Question given in the assignment. As
these solutions and answers are prepared by the private teacher/tutor so the chances of error or mistake cannot be denied.
Any Omission or Error is highly regretted though every care has been taken while preparing these Sample Answers/
Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer & for uptodate and exact
information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the university.
SECTION I
Q. 1. Discuss how deomcracy and development are related to each other.
Ans. India is a country which possesses unity in diversity. It is home of Aryan or Hindu, Jain, Budha and Sikh
religion. India has welcomed all religions, so Muslims both Shia and Sunni, Christians both Roman Catholic and Protestants, Parsies and Jews reside here. Hindus themselves are divided in various castes having different traditions, social set
up and way of life but Indian Constitution has provided uniformity. As such India is largest and most diverse democracy.
India has provided highest office of President to Muslims, Harijans and to Sikhs. Similarly Prime Ministership has been
provided to ladies and Sikhs. Highest offices of governors, of Chief Justice, or army and of Secretariat and of bureaucracy
and of Police etc. have been given to Muslim, Sikhs, Parsis and Christians and to ladies. In 2005, highest authority is with
foreign born Roman Catholic Christian lady, Prime Ministership, Chairmanship of Planning Commission and Commander in Chief posts to Sikhs while in India, population of Hindus are about 82%. Thus, India is only country where
highest posts have been conferred to minorities, ladies and concessions and privileges to weaker sections.
In Britain, no Roman Catholic Christian can be a king or queen. In U.S.A., Russia and China, no lady has become
President and this highest office is given only to a person who may follow same religion or ideology, which possesses
majority in countrys population.
India is a true democracy, where highest offices and concessions have been given to all without any consideration of
caste, creed, religion or sex. If such ideology may be followed Arab-Jew conflict between Israel and Arab countries, ShiaSunni conflict in Iraq in other Muslim countries and terrorism caused by terrorists all over the world may disappear. Thus,
India can be considered not only largest democracy but true democracy because it has provided highest offices to minorities,
ladies and weaker section etc.
Towards Understanding of Democracy: Democracy has been defined government, of the people, by the people
and for the people. As in indirect democracy governments are formed on the basis of votes, so will of majority prevails.
All over the world in democratic countries will of majority prevails and persons belonging to majority religion or sect or
caste, creed or sex rule, but India is only country where safeguards, concessions and privileges have been provided to
minorities, to weaker sections, to fair sex etc. and they rule and occupy highest offices as such India can be considered as
a form of good governance that empowers the way of arriving at decisions among a group of individuals, India lacks that
virtue as corruption and inefficiency is rampant everywhere in every sphere of life and it also lacks unanimity, party in
power uses all state machinery to curb opposition and topples opposition government of states by hook or crook and so
riots, agitations, demonstrations and violence even in elected bodies is common. Thus need of hour is that democracy
should be understood in which both party in power and opposition should follow democratic norms and should act for
welfare of all citizens.
Democracy and Development: Now this is an era of globalization, which means an upsurge of market economy
with political democracy. India has made astonishing progress in this sphere and according to Indian ruling class and
Indian newspapers it may become richest and most powerful country in near future leaving behind U.S.A. and China etc.
in economic development.

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Democracy and Economic

Development in the Post-Colonial Societies: Post-colonial societies are undeveloped and are ruiven by ethnic and
religious conflicts, so there is need to recognize diversity and to follow Indian motto of unity in diversity and to continue
development.
Political Democracy and Economic Development in India1947-1967: India after independence abolished
Zamindari system and merged petty Indian states into part B states promising privy purses to rulers and later on these
privy pusses were also abolished, as these were considered uneconomic and hinderance for development.
India followed path of development through Planning Commission on Russian model, Five Years Plans were made
for development and agricultural production was increased. Industrial production was increased by massive government
support.
Land reforms could not be implemented as the lower bureaucracy in alliance with local landed lobby of politicians
abstructed it, so power passed to big land agriculture owners, who are called Kulaks. But these Kulaks helped in increasing
agricultural production and India began to produce more than required for increasing population. Population in India
increased by leaps and bounds but agricultural products increased more rapidly.
In industrial sphere India made astonishing progress and large scale industries grew very rapidly during this period
due to efforts of government and Planning Commission, and Five Year Plans etc.
Political Democracy and Economic development in India1967-1990: During this period big land holders of
agricultural lands rose. Dominant castes of rich peasantry such as Jats, Yadavas, Kurmies, Kamma, Kapu, Reddies and
Lodhi Rajputs became dominant castes and gained hold on politics of India. They were economically strong and numerically
powerful. On the other hand native rulers, feudal class and business class lost its dominence as princes became weak due
to abolition of privy purses and their privileges and power.
Business class and industrialists lost their hold due to control of industry and development by government and
Planning Commission. Nationalization of banks and industries crippled industrial and business class.
On the other hand due to power to issue licence, control business and industry, bureaucracy gained unlimited power,
so it became corrupt and inefficient. It failed to gain popular support for reforms due to inefficiency and incompetency.
Patronage, corruption and nepotism continued fully, so Congress became unpopular but Indira Gandhi remained in power
due to her slogan of Garibi Hatao (cradicate poverty). But movement of opposition led by Jai Prakash Narain and Ram
Manohar Lohia made Indira Government unpopular.
Indira Gandhi with the help of President Fakkruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed emergency to curb it, but emergency
and arrest of opposition leaders made Indira Gandhi unpopular, Congress lost election and coalition Government of
opposition parties was formed.
Leaders of opposition parties quarrelled, so money and muscle power began to dominate politics. Caste, religion
and ethnicity became main vote catchers.
Inspite of all this, Indira Gandhi again gained power but she was assassinated on 31st October, 1984 and was
succeeded by Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated. Congress Government under Narsimha Rao was formed which followed
economic policy of globalization, which is being followed both by N.D.A. and U.P.A. Governments.
Political Democracy and Economic development in India: 1991 onwards: Narsimha Rao government under
finance minister Manmohan Singh followed policy of economic liberalization instead of planning model. For this, India
got support of World Bank and I.M.F. Due to this, development progressed leaps and bounds. Hot money demanding
quick returns gained importance and popularity. As such undeveloped regions such as Uttranchal, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh
demanded statehood which was granted by N.D.A. government led by Atal Bihari Vajpai. After this, demands for
Bundelkhand, Rohilkhand, Harit Pradesh became popular along with demand of Vidarbh and Telangana states. In 2004
elections, N.D.A. lost power and U.P.A. government has been formed by Sardar Manmohan Singh with the cooperation
of Communists and is following policy of globalization and of market economy instead of planned Nehruvian model.
India is making progress very rapidly and her economy is third i.e., next to U.S.A. and China. Thus, India has succeeded
in maintaining democracy and in achieving development.
Q. 4. Discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion and pubilc policies.
Ans. Democracy and Media make implement of public policy and development successful. Government needs peoples
participation in the elections, active participation of people and public debates etc. in securing it. Press moulds public
opinion, so it has been called fourth estate. Press forms public opinion in favour of persons in power or ruling elite class
and moulds public opinion according to discussions of ruling elite class.

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What is public Policy?: Public policy may be defined as government decisions and actions to solve public problems.
Domain of public policy is very large and it may include anything. For example, during Gandhian influence policy of
government was to implement probhibition but now policy of Congress government is to encourage drinking and to
discourage use of milk by harassing dairy owners and discouraging keeping of cows etc. in houses.
Public Policy and Governance: In democratic set up, existence of government depends on public opinion, so
government forms policy to win public opinion. Media facilitates communication between government and people and
moulds public opinion according to policy formed by government. For example, there was no house tax during British
rule and in most of the countries if tax is not paid monetary penalty is imposed. But Municipal Committee of Delhi
imposed complex unit areas system and in case of non-payment, imprisonment of 7 years and attachment i.e. equal to
attempt to murder. Such draconian law is not found anywhere in the world but as Media supported it, so it has been
implemented inspite of strong public opposition. Similarly demolition of buildings, shops etc. by courts and M.C.D.
succeeded as media supported it, but Advocates strike failed as media did not support it.
Media and Democracies: The press and politics have always been closely associated. The press became the vehicle
to provide theoretical base to political liberal, socialist and communist movements, so it has been given the status of
fourth estate.
The feudal system was overthrown to establish democracy on the basis of liberty, equality and fraternity. Media has
become the main vehicle of the ideological growth of liberal, socialist and communist democracies. In U.S.A., it support
liberal democracy and in India secular and socialist democracy and in Pakistan Islamic rule based on military dictatorship.
Thus, Media has become the main vehicle of ideological growth of democracy and communicates with the people on
behalf of the authorities. With the help of Media those who enjoy power always claim that they are forming the government
of the people, by the people and for the people.
Modern Democracies and the Press: Now people rely on Media and form their opinion according to news and
views supplied by Press, so governments in democracies depend largely on Press opinion, T.V. and radio etc.
New Media Technologies and Democracy: Due to development of technologies, computers and internet also play
an important part along with press in democracy to mould public opinion and influence public policy and democratic set
up.
Media and Public Opinion: Now media is very powerful. It provides news and views and has also a major source of
entertainment. In India which is greatest producers of films, most of the newspapers comment on film actor and actresses
and provide their half-naked pictures exposing their physical beauty which are enjoyed by ultra-modern people, young
boys and girls and by persons in power and rich people and ruling elite class. Media has moulded public opinion in favour
of ruling elite class in democratic set up of India.
Case Study: All over the world people possess the choice to use petrol or diesel oil or C.N.G. according to their
convenience. But India ex-Chief Justice of India B.N. Kirpal favoured C.N.G.
According to ex-Chief Justice Patnaik, Chief Justice B.N. Kirpal was fond of walking and of fresh air, so he disliked
pollution giving vehicles and proposed C.N.G.
Media supported him, so Delhi government had to pass a law that only C.N.G. buses will be allowed in Delhi. As this
law is not anywhere in whole world, so D.T.C. proudly claims greatest number of C.N.G. buses in the world. This has
been possible due to media support.
Thus, media can achieve anything.
Summary: In democratic set up media through limited and partial news and views moulds and forms public opinion.
Press is the main vehicle to do this, so it has been called fourth estate.
Press is medium of supplying news, views and entertainment. Media is so powerful that due to support of Media
D.T.C. possesses greatest number of C.N.G. buses in the world. Delhi is the only place in the world where only C.N.G.
vehicles are allowed while all over the world people possess right to use petrol, diseal or C.N.G. for this vehicle.
Exclusive preference to C.N.G. has been achieved only in Delhi due to support of Media. New bill giving right of
information to public has been passed in May 2005, to support media. Demolition of buildings was achieved in Delhi as
media supported it. Advocates strike failed as media opposed it, S.B.I. bank strike succeeded as media supported it.
Q. 6. Comment on the following:
(a) Working of the fereral system in India.
Ans. Characteristics of Indian Federalism The essence of Federal Union: Constitutional experts are of the opinion that India is not a Federal state. It is a unitary state or can be called a quasi-Federal state.

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1. After independence India was divided in A, B and C states. In 1956 whole structure was changed. Later on lot of
states have been created according to whim of the party in power at centre. In a country where states can be created or
abolished at the whim of centre cannot be called a Federal state.
2. Governor is appointed by the centre and he acts according to wishes and dictation of party in power at centre
because his appointment and tenure depends on the whim of persons in power. Changes of state governments has been
followed by Congress and later on by Janta government, N.D.A. government and now it is being ruthlessly by U.P.A.
government in centre.
This continuous by frequent use of Article 356 to dismiss state governments has made Indian federalism useless.
3. In India all higher and important posts are filled by common All India service. During British rule most of the
high posts were filled by English men and due to only about one thousand British officials it was called British rule, now
all higher posts are filled by All India services, so it is useless to call India as a Federal state as subordinate judicial
officers are bound to obey the orders of their bosses.
4. There is centralized electoral machinery which manages election. It is said that Election Commissioners favoured
Congress by all means in their power because like Governors, Election Commissioners and members of Election
Commission are appointed by Central Government through President controloplonning of whole India.
In India, decisions of Supreme Court are binding in whole India. Not only this all the Judges of High Courts are
appointed by Chief Justice of India in consultation with two other Supreme Court Judges. In U.S.A. and in lot of other
countries Judges are either elected by people or appointed by State authorities. Not only this during British rule there were
only civil and criminal courts but now there are lot of Tribunals, Family Courts, Consumer Courts, Labour Courts,
Municipal Courts, Taxation Courts of Income tax, Sales tax, Customs and Excise etc. who control every aspects of
personal life and way of living through daily increasing central laws, so India cannot be considered a Federal state.
5. Financial dependence of statesCentral government possess enormous power of printing notes and of minting
coins. Of most of the financial resources and of taxation have been given to centre. Not only this Reserve Bank as well as
the leading banks and financial institutions are under the control of central government so state government have to
depend on central government. State government are fully dependent on centre and through VAT Central government is
trying to make state government fully dependent.
6. Central government possesses full control over state laws through Governors who can disallow any law passed by
state legislature or reserve it for approval of President.
7. In educational field U.G.C., N.C.E.R.T., C.B.S.E. etc. have wiped out state control on education.
8. Means of transport such as railway, and hospitals, health care and drug control etc. are with the central government.
9. Central government can give any order or direction, and can send army to implement it or can dissmiss state
governments so state government power has became null and void.
10. President possess special powers welfare of Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and for minorities.
11. Similarly in case of calamities such as earth- quakes and riots etc. Central government possesses full sovereign
powers.
Finally, Central government controls water, electricity, industrial development control over companies and share
market etc.
Salient Features of Indian Federalism: As India is quasi-Federal state, so it is useless to concoct arguments in
favour of Federalism in India. Worst thing is that party in power in central government even if it does not possess majority
at centre tries to impose its rule by hook or crook as is clear in 2005. In centre Congress possesses 145 members and B.J.P.
138, but through Governor Sibte Razi tried to rule at Jharkhand in direct defiance of Constitution and succeeded through
Governor Zamir in bringing downfall of ruling Government of Goa and imposed Governor Buta Singhs rule in Bihar
because Lalu Prasad Yadavs party lost election in Bihar. As Lalu Prasad Yadav is in central government so to please him
,Bihar was under governor Sardar Buta Singhs Rule, who acted partially and had to quit due to unconstitutional.
Working of Federal System: Planning Commission has become the economic Cabinet of the country as a whole.
The state government have been dismissed by misuse of Article 356 more than 100 times. VAT has crippled state
governments financially, so India has failed to maintain federal system with federal outlook.
In concluding remarks it may be stated that India has failed to implement federalism. So there are violent conflicts
in Manipur and Kashmir and N.E. States etc.
(b) The basis of regionalism in India
Ans. Caste in Politics:

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Castes are unique feature of Indian civilization: The social structure of India is to a large extent based on caste
structures and caste identification. In the past the caste system was determined on the basis of the occupation and a person
belonging to a particular caste had to follow the ancestral profession. This arrangement also perpetuated the feeling of
superiority and inferiority, because certain castes came to be considered as the exclusive prerogative of certain castes and
the others were not given any share in the administration of the country. But during the British rule, under the impact of
Western civilization this traditional concept of caste as a segmental division of society, in which an individual can live his
life fully, underwent a serious transformation. The status of a person came to be determined on the basis of his financial
position, irrespective of his caste attachment. This set back to the caste system was largely due to the introduction of the
new means of transport and communication as well as the introduction of Western laws and norms of rule of law. The
Western education also played a significant role in weakened the bonds of caste. But subsequently the Britishers realised
the importance of caste as a divisive factor and revived it in a new shapethe principle of 'divide and rule'. They tried to
organise caste based organisation.
After independence the Constitution tried to discourage caste system and introduced universal adult franchise,
terminated separate electorates and prohibited untouchability and discrimination on various other grounds, it did every
thing possible to discourage caste system. It is a strange irony that while taking these steps for loosening the hold of caste
system, the Constitution also made certain special reservations and safeguards for certain castes and classes. As a result
the caste system penetrated deep into the Indian society. Prof. Srinivas believes that caste system still continues to be an
important factor in the politics of India. He says, There is a widespread impression among educated Indian that caste is
on its last legs and that the educated urbanised and westernised members of the upper classes have already escaped its
bond. Both these impressions are wrong. These people may observe very few diatetic restrictions, marry outside caste
and even religions but this does not mean that they have escaped the bonds of caste entirely. They show caste attitudes in
surprising contexts. As such castes play important role in Indian Politics. In appointments caste plays important role.
Prof. Rudolphs has said, Within the new context of political democracy caste remains a central element of India's
society while adopting itself to the values and methods of democratic politics. Indeed, it has become one of the chief
means by which the Indian mass has been attached to the process of democratic politics. Generally voting is done on caste
lines and marriages take place on caste basis.
Q. 7. (a) Comment on the following:
Ans. (a) Development and gender
Gender differences are found in all living beings. Male and female are found among birds, animals and even in
reptiles and insects. Among human being biological difference between man and women gave rise to family set up. In old
age there were both matriarchal and Patriarchal families. According to old epics of Iliad of Homer, Ramayan of Valmiki
and Mahabharat of Ved Vyasa etc. wars took place due to this and this tendency continued during medieval period.
Not only kings but queens also ruled in different countries. Cleopatra of Egypt, Elizabeth I and Victoria of England
and Catherine the Great of Russia are considered greatest queens. Now a days Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Golda
Meir of Israel etc. achieved name and fame as ruler. John of Arc, Chand Bibi, Durgawati and Rani Luxmibai of Jhansi are
considered great heroines.
Inspite of all this biological differences between men and women generally gave domestic work to women and bread
earning tasks and outside work to men. As man became bread earner, so he began to dominate women. But now most of
the democratic Constitution conferred equal rights to men and women, so women are making progress in all spheres of
life. Therefore, participation of women in development has become essential.
Women and Gender: Formerly political, economic and social power was wielded by man so male dominated society came into existence. But now women have got equal rights, freedom, opportunity for progress, so domination depends
on richness, power and status, so this has ended political domination of men among ultra-modern ruling elite class.
Development and Gender: Women generally form half of the population so for proper development their participation in development is necessary.
In India during national movement women participated equally with men. In Hindu Succession Act of 1956, women
were given more rights of inheritance than man. A lady possesses equal right with his brother in the property of her
parents as well as equal rights in the property of her husband. As such in India economically, a lady has more rights than
man. Moreover she cannot be prosecuted for adultery and can prosecute any male person for indecent remarks or indecent
behaviours. These privileges have made women to participate in all walks of life and contribute in development according
to her merit.

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(b) The basis of regionalism in India.

Ans. Regionalism: Historically Regionalism began with the conquest of Burma. Historically, traditionally and to a
great extent in geographically, culturally, linguistically Burma was different from India. In case of religion it resembled
with India as Buddhism prevailed there. But it was never part of Maurya, Gupta or Mughal empire.
Taking advantage of this fact British rulers of India sent Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor to Burma and
kept him in prison at Rangoon. As Burma was never part of Mughal rule, so last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar
died there as unknown lonely prisoner. Congress dominated India but was unable to make any impact in Burma, so
Congress leader Tilak was kept as prisoner in Burma.
As neither Congress nor Muslim League possessed influence on Burma, so they agreed for separation of Burma
from India in 1935.
Along with this separate provinces of Sindh, Orissa, N.W.F.P. etc. were created. These new creations encouraged
demand of statheood after independence which is continuous even now so this topic is given in detail here.
The Basis of Regionalism: The 1950s- 1960s: In 1956, B were states abolished and regional identities on the basis of
economic, religion, language, tribal origin etc. gained importance. These movements were supported by local leaders.
In formation of Manipur, Meghalya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh racially distinct Bodos, Meities etc. and economic
factors played a major role. For formation of Goa and Pondichery history played major role as Goa was under Portuguse
rule upto 1962 and Pondichery was under French rule upto 1957.
Hindi was declared lingua franca of India but in India there are 22 languages, therefore, states opposed imposition
of Hindi. Consequently Telugu speaking people opposed Tamil, and formed Telugu-speaking Andhra. Karnatic formed
Kannada-speaking state and Malyalam-speaking people formed Kerala. Punjabi- speaking people formed Punjab and
Hindi-speaking people formed Haryana, Marathi-speaking people formed Maharastra and Gujarati-speaking people formed
Gujarat. Jharkhand and Chhatisdgarh were formed due to identities based on tribal origin and Himachal Pradesh and
Uttranchal due to being hilly areas with distinct culture and upper class majority of Brahmins and of Kshatriyas.
Q. 8. Analyse the nature of state response to the challenge of ethnicity in india.
Ans. Ethnicity and Nation-State: Conceptualisation: India is a land which possesses unity in diversity therefore,
some scholars have considered it as a multinational state having different religions, languages, caste and culture etc. Due
to this concept of ethnicity now demand of new states have grown and formation of new states is continuous, though
N.D.A. which was in power stated, India is not a multinational states as 82% of population follow Hindu religion and
Hindu way of life and are governed by Hindu law.
The Main Cases of Ethnicity in India: Apart from caste, religion, and language regionalism has also greatly influenced the politics of states in India. Regionalism means love of a particular region or state in preference to the country as
a whole. This feeling may arise either due to the continuous neglect of a particular area or region by the ruling authorities
or it may spring as a result of increasing political awareness of the henceforth backward people, that they have been
discriminated against. The political leaders of the area may also encourage the feeling of regionalism with a view to
acquire power over the area. The feeling of regionalism has been quite strong in certain states of India and has posed a
serious danger to national integration and unity. Usually this feeling of regionalism has found outlet in four forms demand
for secession from the Indian union, demand for separate statheood, demand for full statehood, and exclusive utilisation
or possession of certain areas or natural resources. This is due to ethnicity.
Grant of Statehood: The demand of separate states in India has also made its appearance in other shape viz., the
demand for the establishment of seprate state within the Indian Union. This demand is mainly raised with a view to attain
a distinct political entity for the people of a particular region. This type of regionalism gained momentum after the
reorganisation of the state on linguistic basis. In certain parts of the country demands were raised for the establishment of
separate states on the basis of language or culture etc. Let us examine some of the cases to have a full idea of this type of
regionalism in Indian politics.
(1) Creation of Meghalaya: The demand for a separate state of Meghalya was raised by the people living in the hilly
area of Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and North Cachar. For the attainment of the objective, they organised a party known as All
Party Hill Leaders Conferences (APHLC). The Government of India did not favour a seperate state for the hill areas and
agreed to reorganise Assam on federal basis. Under the agreement proposed by the Government of India a limited number
of essential subject of common interest were to be assigned to the regional federation and rest of the functions were to be
left to the federating units. Though initially the APHLC accepted this arrangement, soon it reverted to its original demand
for a separate Hill state. In 1967, the party served the Union Government with an ultimatum that if the Government of
India failed to announce proposals for the reorganisation of Assam in the current budget session all its members would

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resign from the Parliament as well as Legislative Assembly of Assam. The Government did not heed to this ultimatum. As
a result nine members of the All Party Hill Leaders Conference, from the hilly regions tendered their resignations.
The Conference also organised a hartal and launched a non-violent agitation throughout the state. Ultimately the
Government announced its decision to create an autonomous hill state in Assam. in April 1969, the 22nd Constitution
Amendment Bill was passed which authorised the government to take necessary steps in this direction. In December
1969, the Assam Reorganisation Bill was passed by the Parliament and the hill state of Meghalya was created as an
autonomous unit within Assam. The state was duly inaugrated by the prime minister in April 1970.
According to the arrangements envisaged in the Act the state of Meghalaya was provided with its own Legislature
and a Council of Ministers. However, this did not fully meet the aspirations of the people of the area and the Meghalaya
Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on 30 September, 1970 requesting the Government of India to accord them
the status of full fledged state, a demand which was conceded by the Government in January 1972.
Meghalaya possesses an area of 22429 kms. population is only about 2.5 lakhs and capital is Shillong. Three hill
communities Khasi, Jayantia and Garos live here.
Manipur: Lord Amhurst, the British Viceroy tried to conquer Assam and Manipur, so Manipur came under British
rule as a native princely state in 1894. Manipur was a part C state, but became full state on Jan 21, 1972. Its area is 22327
sq. kms and population is about 25 lakhs only. This is a troubled area, so Government of India imposed Armed Forces
Special Power Act, which allows armed forces to take any step to curb agitation. In this way full powers have been
conferred to armed forces.
Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Pradesh has an area of 83743 sq. kms, but population is only about 12 lakhs and
capital is Itanagar. This territory was called North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). After independence in 1947, Government of India in 1948, took over its administrations, so government of China claims her right about this territory. Arunachal
Pradesh was declared union territory on January 20, 1972. It became a full state on February 20, 1984. Like other North
Eastern states Arunachal Pradesh is not peaceful, even in May 2005 lot of violence took place.
Assam: Assam was conquered by British government and a separate province of Assam was created in 1874. Later
on Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalya were carved out of it, so it is now 1/3 of former size. It possesses population of
about 2 crore 70 lakhs, area is 76438 kms and capital is Dispur. Like other states Assam is also not peaceful. On 15th
August, 2004 bombs were thrown by extremists on occasion of Independence Day celebrations. As such North East has
become Tender Box.
The anti-foreigner drive is surging again in Assam. Thousands of Bangladeshis have fled upper Assam districts
following threats by extremist as reported in newspapers.
No state of North East is peaceful, agitation and violence is continuous even in 2006. As such on April 12, 2005,
when Assam was celebrating the Rangoli Bihu festival, youths of a Bihutali in Chiring Chapori locality of Dibrugarh
town were busy planning something else : an economic blockade of Bangladeshis. These youths set up the Chiring
Chapori Yuva Mancha and launched a campaign on April 24, asking locals not to employ Bangladeshis or give them
shelter. This campaign gathered storm, spreading to other parts of the state. It took on a communal colour and triggered
alarm bells from Guwahati to Delhi, so condition is very serious.
Campaign Agenda: The Yuva Manch had a four point agenda : dont employ illegal migrants for household work;
dont travel in vehicles driven by them: dont have any business transactions or rent out houses to them. In this way
boycott has been resorted.
A member of the Yuva Mancha, Anup Jyoti Gogoi stated, We witnessed a massive increase in the number of illegal
Bangladeshi labourers in Dibrugarh in the last one year: Thats why we launched a campaign to educate our people on
the threat. The strategy worked in Chiring Chapori, and soon spread to entire Dibrugarh. By the second week of May,
many Bangladeshi labourers had left. The upper Assam districts of Sivsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat also witnessed the
exodus. It has created a crisis and has destroyed peace.
Marina Begum, an Assamese Muslim social worker says, All foreigners have to leave Assam. Only bona fide
citizens should be allowed to stay, though she is not a member of the Yuva Mancha. This shows attitude of general
public.
The Dibrugarh district administration feels that a small issue has been blown out of proportion, we only received
calls inquiring about the exodus after they left Dibrugarh. Only 500 people left the city, says H.N. Borah, deputy
commissioner of Dibrugarh. However, intelligence agencies say 6,000 people have fled towards the lower Assam districts
and Guwahati. Unofficial local sources say that nearly 15,000 people might have left the four upper Assam districts so far
as agitation is very violent.

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Political Flat: Chiring Chapori Yuva Mancha has no political backing but is receiving moral support from the BJP
and AGP. There is nothing wrong with such a peaceful campaign. These youths are educating the Assamese people to
start an economic blockade of migrants, Says Sarbananda Sonowal, AGP MP. It shows general attitude.
The ruling, Congress cannot openly criticise the Yuva Mancha as it might antagonise Assamese votes. But it has
declared that those who left Dibrugarh are genuine citizens of Barpeta, Darrang and Goalpara districts of lower Assam: It
has even warned against spreading any campaign against religious minorities as Congress depends on minority votes.
But minority leaders are up in arms against the government for allowing certain organisations to persecute Muslim
labourers. They argue that foreigners should be detached and deported under the existing Illegal Migration Act. Meanwhile, in other districts, the local units of Assam Students Union and Assam Jatiya Yuva Chattra Parishad have taken over
the campaign. And SMS are being sent to spread the message and threats. Assam is not peaceful like other north-eastern
states.
Violent History: The current problem dates back to November 2003 when ULFA militants launched a violent campaign against Hindi-speaking people, particularly Biharis who comprise one of the biggest components of the labour
force in the DibrugarhTinsukia belt etc.
The 2003 problem started when Assamese students demanded 100% job reservations for locals in Group B jobs,
reservations for locals in Group D jobs like North-east Frontier Railways. Local students harassed Bihari candidates test,
while Biharis retaliated by attacking Northeastern passengers in trains passing through Bihar even going to extent of
allegedly raping a North-eastern girl. This has become common now in North-Eastern states.
Retaliatory attacks in Assam took a violent turn with ULFA killing many Hindi-speaking labourers. The 2003 problem was created by militants and the Assamese population is not against Biharis. Over 20,000 Bihari labourers left the
place during that period says Sohan Lal Yadav, a lecturer of Dirbu College. Thus, contradictory statements are continuous.
Since, then, the labour shortage has been left even more with the launching of new projects in and around Dibrugarh
: In the last one-and-a-half years, many Bengali speaking Muslims came to work as manual labourers, rickshaw pullers,
thela-wallas and brick kiln workers etc. But, unlike Biharis, these people came with their families, creating an impression
that they wanted to settle down here.
Labour Trouble: Now that the suspected Bangladeshis have left Dibrugarh, theres a vacuum in the labour market
again. Girin Phukan, professor of political science at Dibrugarh University, says, Though Assamese do not go for low
grade work, people would rise to the occasion. Others do not think so After Biharis is left brick kilns in 2003, we had to
bring people from Malda and lower Assam districts. So, the new vacuum have to be filled up from outside as the locals
will not do manual jobs, says Gorak Rai, a contractor.
Dibrugarh is the richest district in the Northeast. Tea, oil, coal, fertilisers and many other big industries are in Dibrugarh.
Tinsukia belt traditionally require a huge labour force which cannot be met locally inspite of all this violent agitation is
continue.

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