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Summary
Post Independence India Class 07

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS (05:00 PM)

KASHMIR CRISIS (05:07 PM)

  • After the 1971 war, the Indira- Sheikh Agreement 1974, therefore Shiekh Abdulla came to power in 1975. He was old, therefore on the advice of Indira Gandhi declared Farrukh Abdulla as his Successor. 
  • In 1982,  upon the death of Sheikh Abdulla, Farrukh Abdulla came to power. But during the elections, he took an Anti-congress stand instead of being in a coalition. Now brother-in-law, Gulam M D Shah removed Farrukh Abdulla from power by doing a coup within the party.
  • However, Gulam M D Shah raised communal tensions. Example- In Jammu, he declared his desire to construct a mosque in the vicinity of a temple, and in Kashmir, he began propaganda that Islam is under threat from non-muslims. Now communal violence began and with it exodus of Hindus
  • Gulam M D Shah was removed as CM and Farrukh Abdulla was reinstated.  But he was not able to manage the crisis. Further, Hizbul Mujahideen and JKLF escalated communal violence and killings. They also forced Kashmiri Pandits to leave Kashmir. 
  • 1986 onwards, the president rule in J&K on and off. 

PUNJAB CRISIS (05:19 PM)

  •                                                                    Punjab Crisis
    Modern Indian history- Akali Dal The demand of Sikh majority states within India

    Electoral Politics and Religion

    Anandpur Sahib Resolution

    Central Government

    • Akali Dal
    • Khalistan
    • Bhindrawale 
  • Akali movement, 1920-25-
  • For getting control of Gurudwaras from Udasi Sikh Mahants to people. After this movement, Akali Dal came to exist as a party with a focus on Sikhism. 
  • Post-1947, Akali Dal led the Punjabi Suba Civil movement for a Sikh-majority state within India (the 1950s- 1960s). Example- Master Tara Singh argued that a Sikh organization should be ruling Punjab. 
  • The demand of Sikh majority state within India
  • State Reorganisation Commission 1955 report rejected the demand as it was based on religion. Also, there was no critical difference were there between Punjabi and Hindi for reorganization on the basis of language. There was concern about national unity since Punjab shared borders with Pakistan and the recent partition on the basis of religion. 
  • Under the State Reorganisation Act 1956, Punjab was expanded by adding PEPSU States (The Patiala and East Punjab States Union= Princely states during the British era clubbed post-1947). Therefore, Punjab was a three-language state- Punjabi, Hindi, Pahari, and Sikh were not in the majority. 
  • Indira Gandhi created Punjab as a Sikh-majority state in 1966 due to 
  • a) Demands continued by Akalis.
  • b) Rising demand for Harayana by Hindi Speaking community.
  • c) Sant Fateh Singh assured that demand is linguistic and not communal. [* No anti-Hindu policy or politics post-reorganization]
  • There was no agreement on Chandigarh to Punjab and Fazilka and Pabohar to Haryana as negotiations failed therefore Chandigarh was made a common capital and an Union territory
  • However, Akalis still unable to get the majority and had to form a coalition government in the 1967 elections. Also in 1971, the Rival Congress formed a government in Punjab. This was because 25% of Sikhs were Mazhabi Sikhs (Dalits) who were not vote base of Akali dal. 
  •                             Punjab

    60% Sikh

    • Out of this 25% were Mazhabi Sikhs
    		 40% Hindus
  • Therefore Akalis gave Anandpur Sahib resolution, in October 1973 to consolidate sikh votes where they demanded
  • a) Chandigarh to Punjab
  • b) Punjabi Speaking Areas of other states to Punjab
  • c) Resolve grievances @ River water sharing with Haryana and Rajasthan
  • d) More Sikhs in the army
  • e) Protection of Sikh Culture 
  • f) Amend the Constitution of India to bring real federalism i.e. Centre's interference in states to be limited to defence, foreign affairs, currency, and some aspects of general administration. [* A regional party or a minority party always demands Federalism because can be in power in the state not usually at the centre]
  • g) Political goal was defined as autonomy within India but in Preamble- "Akali dal is a representative of a Sikh Nation" [* Nation= People who feel one, Country= Territory, State= Organization] [* Deamand was similar to Article 370]
  • [** Recall Syed Ahmad Khan- Hindus and Muslims are two separate quams]. 
  • During the emergency 1975-77, Akalis were imprisoned and won the 1977 elections and revived demands of Anandpur Sahib Resolution 1973. 

RISE OF JARNAIL SINGH BHINDRAWALE (06:13 PM)

  • 1978- Nirankaris were to hold a public meeting in Amritsar and Bhindrawale was leading opposition to this meeting (Nirankaris consider themselves Sikhs but believed in a living guru therefore regarded as heretics by other Sikhs). Motivated by his hate speech in Golden Temple, a Sikh crowd attacked the meeting and 15 died. 
  • Personality of Bhindrawale
  • An inspiring creature who had a deep knowledge of Sikh Scriptures.
  • He left his family to head a seminary called Damdami Taksal. 
  • He wanted Sikhs to purify themselves and go back to the "Golden Past" ( * i.e. Spoke against the consumption of Alcohol, and tobacco, not maintaining 5 Ks, etc) [* Current affairs- Amritpal Singh- earlier he had no long hair but later he started keeping long hair]
  • He raised political tensions- For example- He argued that Sikhs are discriminated against by Hindus and are slaves in India
  • Some argue that he was cultivated by Sanjay Gandhi and Gyani Zail Singh to counter Akalis by creating bigger religious icons to cut the vote base of Akalis. Whoever promoted him, he later displayed his own charisma 
  • Major Events
  • Some lower Sikh castes of Artisans and labourers became followers as saw purification as a path for social mobility. [* Upper caste is upper because follows religion in a purer manner]
  • Many Jat peasants joined him as he argued that the Green Revolution benefitted mainly big landlords.  
  • There was a general increase in religiosity due to the unexpected economic benefits of the green revolution that aided Bhindrawale. 
  • 1980- Sikh Pride of some sections hurt as Akalis lost and Congress came to power. 
  • June 1980- Khalistan was proclaimed by a group of students in Golden Temple. Their president Jagjeet Singh Chauhan was in London and this declaration was also made in the UK, USA, and Canada. 
  • But the main concern of the Government of India was Akali who began protesting for Anandpur Sahib Resolution 1973 under new leader Longowal who operated from Golden Temple. 
  • Bhindrawale also operated from Golden Temple and kept armed followers who on his orders engaged in killings. Therefore in the 1980s, protests by Akalis and killings by Bhindrawale followers. 
  • Gurcharan Singh, leader of Nirankari was shot dead in Delhi in April 1980.
  • Also on 9th September 1981- Lala Jagat Narayan, editor of Punjab Kesari who was writing against communal politics, was shot dead. 
  • Still, Bhindrawale was not arrested. [* Lesson- current affairs- Before Such a situation, Amritpal was arrested]. Finally, when arrested, Gyani Zail Singh ensured that only Sikh policemen were used. 
  • Violent protests led to his release on grounds of lack of evidence. This was a turning point in his popularity as the perception that he defeated the Indian state/ Government. 
  • 1982- Negotiations on the Anandpur Sahib resolution between the Government of India and Akalis failed. Therefore in 1983, Akali MLAs resigned hinting at disloyalty to the constitution of India. 
  • This was the product of competition for sikh support, with Bhindrawale. 

EVENTS POST 1982 (07:05 PM)

  • 25th April 1983- DIG, A S Atwal was shot dead in Golden Temple and his body could not be picked up for hours therefore, police morale crashed. Also, now Bank robberies began. Also, the exodus of Hindus began. Therefore, centuries-old Hindu-Sikh unity started collapsing
  • Bhindrawale stated that Sikhs are a separate community [* link Sir Syed Ahmad Khan]. He did not demand Khalistan but stated that he "Won't refuse if offered". 
  • He also attacked the Government of India. Example- Called Indira Gandhi as Pandityain. He decided to won't go to meet the PM and stated that She can come if she wants to meet. 
  • He also raised communalism. Example- Cited history of Sikh where 40 fought 10000 when Mughals tried to destroy Gurus. 
  • He also argued that Israel of Jews can keep away so many Arabs then Sikhs can fight Hindus. 
  • October 1983- Hindus were removed from a Bus and were shot dead and the next day, President's rule was enforced. 
  • By the end of 1983- Bhindrawale took residence in Akal Takht which had great symbolic value as second in importance only to Golden Temple, and from here, Gurus gave Hukumnamas, Guru Govind Singh here compiled Guru Granth Sahib. And Sikh warriors took blessing here before fighting the Mughals. 
  • 3rd June 1984- Operation Bluestar (07:22 PM)
  • Due to fear of Bhindrawale proclaiming Khalistan being eminent, the Army was sent in. 100s of Army men were killed. Also, 100s of Bhindrawale's supporters and Bhindrwale were killed. 
  • Golden Temple complex was damaged and tanks were used. 
  • Huge communal violence followed and even neutral youth joined militancy. 
  • Indira Gandhi was killed by a bodyguard on 31st October 1984. 
  • Anti-sikh riots in Delhi where police remained inactive for 3 days
  • Agitation by Akalis led to Punjab Accords/ Rajiv-Longowal Accords 1985 on Anandpur Sahib Resolution 1973, but this was not fully implemented. For example- Chandigarh was not given to Punjab. 
  • 1987-1991- President's rule
  • 1988- Operation Blackthunder. 
  • After Operation Bluestar and the assassination of Indira Gandhi believed that the Government of India won't ever Golden Temple again, therefore took Safe haven in Golden Temple. 
  • Much better planned on the basis of effective intelligence and without any damage to Golden Temple, militants were flushed out, and leaders of militants neutralized. 
  • 1992 elections.
  • It was won by Congress due to low voter turnout and now K P S Gill, an IPS was given a free hand. 
  • Gill Doctrine- People don't support militants. They support stronger factions as they fear for their own security. Therefore, police should demonstrate they are more powerful. He was ruthless and eliminated militancy.
  • The leadership of Militants was targeted and eliminated but in this process, there were allegations of rape and murder of civilians. Therefore civilians suffered at the hands of militants as well as police. 
  • Question- In the context of the Punjab crisis, it can be argued that Language, Religion, and Regionalism combined into an explosive situation that the political elites struggled to contain. Examine. (150 words/10 marks)
  • [* Regionalism- Region demanded historically as sikh State+ Rivers + Issue of chandigarh]. 

RAJIV GANDHI ERA (07:47 PM)

  • READ FROM THE HANDOUT
  • In 1986-87, Rajiv Gandhi Govt set up six technology Missions (headed by Sam Pitroda) to tackle some of India's fundamental problems.
  • The focus areas were: Rural drinking water, Literacy, Immunisation, Edible oils, Telecommunications, and Dairy production.
  • Rajiv Gandhi did not want India to miss the ICT revolution. 
  • He also started Jawahar Rozgar Yojana which became MGNREGA later. 
  • He started "Operation Blackboard" and came up with the New Education policy in 1986. 
  • He gave extra focus to diplomacy. He established a separate ministry for the environment. He set up a planet protection fund. 
  • Anti-defection law was brought in his era. 
  • Proposal for constitutional recognition for grassroots governance. 
  • He created an Africa Fund. He also spoke against Apartheid and Colonialism. 
  • China and Nepal came closer and it became a challenge for India-Nepal relations. 
  • November 1988- Operation Cactus in the Maldives.
  • Sri Lankan Civil War.
  • Kargil War 1999
  • 1984- Operation Meghdoot- India took control of Siachen
  • 1998- Pokharan test

The syllabus of post-Independence India got completed.