Summary

Post Independence India Class 06

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS (05:02 PM)

BANGLADESH WAR (05:06 PM)

However India decided not to directly interfere, immediately.
a) Rains will soon to follow in East Pakistan which would make terrain tough for military movement. For example- Rivers would swell making it hard to cross them
b) In the summer china would be able to help Pakistan, therefore, India may have to fight the war on multiple fronts.
c) USA was not that heavily involved in Vietnam after Jhonson's presidency (1963-69) therefore may come to the aid of Pakistan, its military ally.
d) Also India did not have a military alliance with USSR as we followed NAM, therefore no assurance of military help.
Further India should not be seen as an aggressor by the International community (Can lead to sanctions)
Therefore we decided till winter also Indira Gandhi began raising awareness internationally on genocide by Pakistan and refugee issues faced by India. Also, India began operation jackpot where India decided to support Mukti Vahini with arms, training, and money. So the people of East Pakistan could fight their war on their own
Meanwhile USSR offered and we agreed to sign, a Treaty of Friendship, peace, and Cooperation, in 1971 that led to a form of military alliance (* USSR did not want South Asia under the domination of the US and its allies i.e. Pakistan and China). [** US- china were friends since 1971 and the US agreed to UNSC seat to the Chinese communist party]
Finally, Pakistan attacked on 3rd December 1971 and India was well-prepared.
India immediately recognized Bangladesh. Also, Pakistan, implemented an Air blockade in the Indian Air space, therefore cutting off supplies from West Pakistan to East Pakistan.
The US brought two resolutions to UNSC for a ceasefire but USSR vetoed them, therefore buying India time.
The US wanted China to intervene but China did not respond as did not want direct war with USSR.
The US started Gunboat diplomacy i.e. use of naval powers and resources to threaten others. The US sent a Naval fleet to the Bay of Bengal/ Indian Ocean and in response, USSR also sent its fleet, therefore again buying time for India. However, now also the threat of a nuclear war.

RESULT (05:25 PM)

Pakistan was defeated in 13 days. It was a big humiliation to Pakistan as the Pakistan army in East Pakistan was made to surrender in Public at the Dacca race course where 93000 surrendered on 16th December 1971.
India regained military pride. Also, it was a big strategic victory as two fronts with Pakistan ended. [* Imagine East Pakistan supporting insurgency or ethnic conflict in North East or threatening Chicken Neck Corridor, also it nullified two front war].
The secular credentials of India were reaffirmed as we helped Muslim Majority East Pakistan. Also, it was a big blow to the two-nation theory as the creation of Bangladesh negated the creation of Pakistan as a nation on the basis of religion in 1947. [* Language and culture defeated religion].
Mujib-ur-Rahman declared 4 principles that would guide Bangladesh in the future. [* NDSS]
a) Nationalism- [* Linguistic nationalism was suppressed as part of Pakistan]
b) Democracy- [* Election results were not respected by West Pakistan]
c) Socialism- [* East Pakistan was poor and neglected by West Pakistan]
d) Secularism-[* Hindus and Muslims of East Pakistan did together during and after Operation Searchlight, therefore secularism in the future, also Bangladesh for Bangla speakers and not for just Muslims.]
Sheikh Abdulla in J&K realized that no use in confrontation with the Government of India, therefore Indira-Sheikh Agreement of 1974 where he gave up plebiscite demand and agreed to autonomy as provided by Article 370.
Political Gains in India for Indira Gandhi
Shimla agreement, 2nd July 1972-
It was signed between Indira Gandhi and Bhutto and it was much more than a peace treaty as not just an exchange of Prisoners of war (PoWs) but also the withdrawal of troops from each other's occupied areas.
Pakistan also recognized Bangladesh but also aimed at the blueprint for peaceful coexistence by providing guiding principles for Indo-Pak relations [* Therefore like Panchsheel with China]
a) Territorial respect for each other's territorial integrity, unity, and political independence
b) Sovereign equality
c) Non-interference in international affairs
d) Take all aspects to prevent Hostile propaganda
e) Peaceful resolution of all issues vias direct bilateral talks or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon [* i.e. Third party can be there if India-Pakistan both agree] [** In diplomacy, options are kept alive- Example- If in future foreign intervention in India's favour then we may be open to it]
1949 ceasefire line was replaced by the ceasefire line on 17th December 1971 and named LoC. 740 km LoC was to be the de-facto border not to be altered unilaterally or by force. Also, LoC to be inviolable i.e. can not be violated in any circumstance.
Pending permanent settlements, both shall prevent the organization and encouragement of any act that hurt peaceful relations [* Therefore, Kargil, support to Khalistanis and to terrorists is a legal violation by Pakistan]
CBMs like promoting people-to-people contact, & open communication via post, telegraph, land, air, sea & cross border movement, & improved trade & cultural contact, & science and technology cooperation [* Link Lahore Bus yatra, Samjhauta express, Kartartpur corridor & Sarabjit able to write letters to India & Indian businessman visiting Pakistan and vice versa & World cup match to be held in Gujarat.]

LAHORE AGREEMENT, 1999 (06:12 PM)

Commitment to goals and objectives of SAARC, 1985 [* i.e. Dream of a Possible European Union]
Prevent Nuclear war and Nuclear proliferation [* Both Nuclear weapon states since 1988], therefore both agreed to the principle of universal nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Condemnation of terrorism in all forms. Also, commitment to human rights and freedom. Also, to Implement Shimla Agreement 1972 in letter and spirit
Question- Examine reasons that forced India to play a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh.
Question- Unlike the 1965 war, the 1962 and 1971 wars were decisive. Analyze.

JP MOVEMENT, 1973-1980 (06:44 PM)

Indira Gandhi wanted to eliminate poverty but the challenge was big due to high war expenditure due to 3 wars in a decade. Also, 1972-73 were drought years and this led to economic slowdown and unemployment & inflation.
The global oil crisis of 1973 led to imported inflation that rose as high as 22%.
Yom Kippur War 1973 between Israel v/s Egypt, and Syria (1948 Arab-Israel War, 1956 Suez war, 1967- Six-day war involving Arab countries and Israel ). Gulf countries reduced oil supply to hurt Israel and its allies and this led to Fuel inflation that hurt the Middle class.
Also, corruption cases and unemployment increased anger in Urban areas.
The biggest strike in the history of India took place i.e. All India railway strike as inflation was 22% in May 1974 therefore corruption, unemployment, inflation, and the authoritarian leadership of Indira Gandhi (* 42th CAA) contributed to the JP movement 1973-1980.
The ideology of the JP movement
It was a fight for the revival of values in society and to end the system that forced everyone to be corrupt. This is called total revolution by JP (* Link Anna Hazare movement)
Events
1973, Patna- JP came out of political retirement and gave a call to the youth to fight against dishonesty in society
1974, Gujarat- Students began protests in January 1974. JP gave leadership and later other political parties also joined with the demand of the dissolution of the assembly and fresh polls. Centre dissolved the Gujarat Legislative Assembly but instead of fresh elections, applied the president's rule. Now old Morarji Desai began fast unto death forcing Indira Gandhi to declare elections which were won by candidates supported by JP.
1974, Bihar- Like Gujarat, JP took leadership of students who were protesting for the dissolution of the legislative assembly and fresh polls, inspired by Gujarat's success. JP's plan was to win state after state. However, Indira Gandhi did not accept demands.
Now JP gave the call to Total Revolution 1974 against the corruption and authoritarianism of Indira Gandhi and also demanded that people don't pay taxes and that they set up parallel governments [* Recall no Tax campaign and parallel governments during pre-1857 revolts and QIM 1942-45].
In Bihar, people stopped paying taxes and set up parallel governments.
However, by the end of 1974, Movement declined and youth went back to college as Indira Gandhi did not accept demands. Also, there was a poor organization and movement did not attract the poor, and participation was limited to students, the Middle class, and the intelligentsia. [* Recall Struggle-Truce-Struggle of Mahatma Gandhi where Truce was because the masses got tired if demands were unmet]
Allahabad HC judgment in June 1975 re-ignited the JP movement. HC invalidated the elections of Indira Gandhi on grounds of misuse of official machinery.
SC gave partial relief as Indira Gandhi was allowed to continue as PM but disallowed from voting as MP until the final decision.
Now JP gave a call for Daily protests. Also on 25th June in a rally in Delhi, JP asked Army, police, civil servants, and people to stop obeying the government orders and to follow the constitution of India.
He also declared that on 29th June will start the Civil disobedience movement, therefore on midnight of 26th June 1975. emergency applied under Article 352 on grounds of internal disturbances which further ignited JP's movement.
Oppression during the emergency of 1975-77 led to public anger and Indira Gandhi lost the 1977 election. [* 1967- Big loss in states, 1977- loss at centre]
Janta Party, which was created by merging opposition parties won, and finally, Morarji Desai became PM.
This government was unstable due to conflicting political ideologies and fell in 1980 before 5 years.
The Janta party split in 1980 led to the creation of the BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party).
Therefore JP movement ended with the victory of Indira Gandhi in the 1980 elections. The government had failed to meet the objectives of the JP movement
JP movement failed due to (07:25 PM)
a) Ideological difference between opposition parties who joined the movement
b) Goal got limited to the overthrow of the Indira Gandhi movement instead of social change or total revolution
c) Flawed method of advocating Anarchy. Example- Government officials and the Army disobeying elected government could have hurt democratic institutions and the spirit of the Constitution of India.
d) No viable alternative as JP's Idea of party-less democracy with power only in the hands of people [* Parallel governments, can link with village republics of Mahatma Gandhi] in practice meant chaos.
e) Limited social base as the poor did not participate.
Question- Critically examine the JP movement regarding its ideology, goals, and methods.

EMERGENCY (07:34 PM)

Trigger was Allahabad HC judgment in the case of Raj Narain v/s Indira Gandhi, June 1975 where the election petition against Indira Gandhi for misuse of the election machinery. Example- use of PWD and some government officials as poll agents.
Indira Gandhi was disqualified for six years from holding any elected office. Indira Gandhi's supporters felt she has been removed as PM for crossing a red light/ traffic offence as she had won by 1 lakh votes. Sanjay Gandhi held rallies in her support.
SC gave partial relief- can continue as PM but can't vote as MP. Opposition and the press wanted her to resign. On the day of the SC judgment, JP gave a call for Daily protests and asked Army, police, Civil servants, and people to stop obeying the government, therefore on the 26th of June emergency was applied without the knowledge of the Council of Ministers.
Government Rationale-
Economic crisis- Growing recession, Unemployment, and inflation. Also, there was a monsoon failure in 1972-73. Also, the 1971 war depleted forex reserves. Also global oil crisis, of 1973 and the Rising public anger example- The all India railway strike, in May 1974 and the JP movement that threatened internal stability
Fear of external powers taking benefit of internal instability to further destabilize India.
Some argue that Indira Gandhi wanted major changes in the Constitution of India, therefore applied emergency. Example- 42nd CAA 1976.
During an emergency (07:44 PM)
Initially, acceptance among the public as Law and order improved. Also, anti-social elements were arrested. Also, the efficiency of administration was improved. Also, there was an improvement in the economy due to the good monsoon. Masses also felt that emergency was applied as per the Constitution of India.
Also, 20 point program by Indira Gandhi was focused on the land ceiling and re-distribution, abolition of bonded labour, reduction of prices etc
However, later economic growth did not sustain, the authoritarian behaviour of government officials, misuse of preventive detention i.e. arrests, anger against the suspension of elections & president's rule in non-congress states, press censorship, Suspension of Fundamental Rights, 42nd CAA December 1976 that hurt independence of the judiciary, a ban on organizations like RSS, Jamat-e-Islami, etc, Forced slum clearances by Sanjay Gandhi and forced sterlisation campaign by Sanjay Gandhi & cases of even double sterilization and political opponents got sterilized
Result of emergency
Indira Gandhi lost the 1977 elections and the Janta Party government set up the Shah Commission to fix accountability for atrocities during an emergency.
44th CAA reversed most changes of the 42nd CAA. Also, now internal emergencies under Article 352, are only on the grounds of armed rebellion and not on the ground of internal disturbances. Also, the cabinet must give in writing the advice to impose an emergency to President.
However with time Janta Party failed to issues of the people and the masses felt that the Shah commission was doing witch-hunting Indira Gandhi was already punished with a loss in 1977, therefore Indira Gandhi won the 1980 elections.

ASSAM NATIONALIST MOVEMENT, 1975-1985 (08:01 PM)

Reasons
Migration of Bengalis since 1947 continued even after the creation of Bangladesh due to the poor economy therefore fear of immigrants @ jobs, land grabs, economic capture, cultural subjugation, and political domination among Assamese. Example- Important issue of the faulty voter list.
Assamese felt that since the British era, their natural resources and economy benefitted outsiders. Exam- Assam tea garden was owned by foreigners and local trade was under outsiders, and oil though extracted in Assam was refined outside Assam hurting employment potential in Assam.
Peaceful protests, 1975- 1979- It failed
All Assam Student's Union, 1979 (AASU) now began violent protests and demanded-
a) Stop immigration of Bangladeshi, and Deport those already present
b) Bring new economic policy for Assam so natives of Assam benefit from their natural resources.
c) Greater participation in administration i.e. reservation for natives and administrative autonomy.
Result
Assam Accords 1985 by Rajeev Gandhi settled movement led by AASU (ULFA 1979, and Bodo movement came later)
For foreigners- Those who came before 1961 to have all citizenship rights, 1961-71- to have all citizenship rights except the right to vote for 10 years, and 1971+ - to be declared illegal immigrants and to be deported. [* 25th March 1971]
For economy- A second oil refinery, a Paper Mill, and IIT Guwahati were announced
For culture- Promise of administrative and legislative safeguards for cultural identities and heritage
Assam Gana Parishad was set up as a political party and Prafulla Mahanta of AASU 1979 became CM at the age of 32.
ULFA 1979 was majorly active after 1983 when huge malpractice of faulty voter lists was revealed again after 1978. Its method was an armed insurgency and its goal was pre-1826 status when there was Ahom kingdom i.e. Full independence.
1992- ULFA declared that their movement is for all natives of Assam and not just Assamese. 2011- ULFA signed the ceasefire.
Today following demands for statehood from Assam- Bodoland, Karbi-Anglong, Dimaland, Kamtapur- they have a sixth scheduled Autonomous council at present.

The Topic for the next class:- Issue of Khalistan.