Read the given passage and answer the following questions.
The Naxalite movement has used force to snatch land from the rich landowners and give it to the poor and the landless. Its supporters advocated the use of violent means to achieve their political goals. In spite of the use of preventive detention and other strong measures adopted by the West Bengal government run by the Congress Party, the Naxalite movement did not come to an end. In later years, it spread to many other parts of the country. The Naxalite Movement has by now splintered into various parties and organizations. Some of these parties like the CPI-ML (Liberation) participate in open democratic politics. Nine states are affected by Naxalite violence. Most of these are very backward areas inhabited by Adivasis.
(a) Why was Naxalite movement considered as a threat to the democracy?
(b) How the Naxalite movement came into existence?
(c) Why the role of the Indian government has been criticized by various Human Rights Activist in dealing with Naxalites?
OR
Read the given passage and answer the following questions:
The year 1967 is considered as a landmark year in India’s political and electoral history. The Congress party remained a dominant force throughout the country from 1952 onwards. This trend was to undergo significant changes with the 1967 elections… It was in the context of heightened popular discontent and the polarization of popular forces that the fourth general elections of the Lok Sabha and State assemblies were held in February 1967. The results jolted the Congress at both the national and state levels. Many contemporary political observers described the elections as a political earthquake.
(a) Analyze the socio-economic and political context of fourth general elections in India.
(b) Why the 1967 general elections were described as a „political earthquake‟ by many political
observers?
(a) Naxalites considered the democracy to be a weakness. They preferred to use the violent method to achieve their means. They had initiated the armed fight against the state, and had unlawfully begun their battle. Thus, they were considered a threat to democracy.
(b) In 1967, in Darjeeling (West Bengal), a peasant fight was initiated near the Naxalbari police station, under the leadership of the Communist Party of India or CPI(M). This movement soon spread to other states and began to be called the Naxalite movement. Later, in 1969, they broke off the CPI(M) and formed a new state called the Communist party.
(c) Various human rights activists have criticized the government for violating many rules and regulations mentioned in the Constitution while dealing with Naxalites. Many people have lost their life in this battle between the government and the Naxalite.
OR
(a) A severe economic crisis was existing in India. The drought conditions with no rainfall, a fall in the agriculture production leading to a shortage of food, fall in the foreign exchange reserves, increasing unemployment and an increase in the military expenditure were just a few of the many problems faced by the Indian government.
This led to an increase in the prices of the goods and people started to protest against it. Strikes became a common phenomenon. Opposition parties also participated in it and often organised rallies to raise their voices. The parties then realised that a major reason behind the success of Congress in every election is the division of votes. So, the parties with common ideologies formed a coalition. This was called anti-Congressism.
(b) The 1967 general elections were described as a „political earthquake‟ by many political
Observers because Congress with its lowest share of votes and seats (since1952) was unable to secure a seat in the Lok Sabha. At the state level, Congress lost in the elections in seven states.
Couldn't generate an explanation.
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