question_answer

Describe any six advantages of popular movements.

Or

What is the social and political composition of Jammu and Kashmir? Describe the roots of ?Kashmir Issued Which compelled the Indian Government to maintain autonomy in this state.

Answer:

Advantages of popular movements:

(i) They represented new social groups whose economic and social grievances were not redressed in the realm of electoral politics. They ensured effective representation of diverse groups and their demands.

(ii) They reduced the possibility of deep social conflict and disaffection of these groups from democracy.

(iii) Popular movement suggested new forms of active participation and thus broadened the idea of participation in Indian democracy.

(iv) They involve a gradual process of coming together of people with similar problems, similar demands and similar expectations.

(v) They make people aware of their rights and the expectations that they can have from democratic institutions.

(vi) They have been involved in educative tasks for a long time and have thus contributed to expansion of democracy rather than causing disruptions.

Or

Jammu and Kashmir comprises three social and political regions: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The heart of the Kashmir region is the Kashmir valley; the people are Kashmir speaking and mostly Muslim with a small Kashmir speaking Hindu minority. Jammu region is a mix of foothills and plains, of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs and speakers of various languages. The Ladakh region is mountainous, has very little population which is equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims.

Roots of Kashmir Issue:

(i) When Maharaja of Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession with Government of India, it was also agreed upon that once the situation got normalised, the views of the people of J&K would be ascertained about their future.

(ii) India agreed to maintain the autonomy of Jammu & Kashmir.

(iii) Since then 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 part of Pakistan.

(iv) There is a dispute within Kashmir about the status of the state within the Indian Union.

(v) Article 370 and 371 give a special status to J&K; the state has its own constitution. Not all provisions are applicable to J&K. Laws passed by the Parliament apply to J&K only if the state agrees. So, the problem persists.