Chapter 3: India’s Internal Challenges Class 9 • Maharashtra Board
Introduction
India faces internal challenges such as separatist movements, North-East issues, Naxalism, Communalism, and Regionalism. These affect unity, peace and the functioning of democracy.
🕌 The Unrest in Punjab
Core idea: Political demands for autonomy and resource share escalated into militancy, leading to decisive security operations.
- Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973): Demands — Chandigarh for Punjab, merger of Punjabi-speaking areas, more Sikh recruitment in Army, greater state autonomy.
- 1977: Akali Dal in power; sought larger river-water share and holy city status for Amritsar.
- 1980: “Independent Khalistan” demand rises. Leaders: Sant H.S. Longowal (Akali), Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (militant support grows).
- 1983: President’s Rule; Golden Temple fortified by militants.
- Operation Blue Star (3–6 June 1984) led by Maj. Gen. K.S. Brar — militants removed; Bhindranwale killed.
- Operation Black Thunder (1986): follow-up to dismantle remaining militant hold; peace process accelerated.
⛰️ Issues Concerning North-East India
States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura — culturally diverse and sharing international borders.
- NEFA (1954): Admin framework for frontier/tribal areas; focus on development with cultural preservation.
- VI Schedule: Special provisions for tribal administration.
- NEC Act (1971): Advisory on economic/social planning, transport, power, flood control.
🌾 Mizoram
- 1959 famine catalysed politics; Laldenga formed MNF (1961).
- 1966: Declaration of independence suppressed; UT status (1972).
- 1985: Accord under PM Rajiv Gandhi; Statehood granted; Laldenga became CM.
🛡️ Nagaland
- NNC (1946) led by A.Z. Fizo; 1954 declaration of independent federation.
- Skirmishes in mid-50s; talks with Centre.
- Statehood: 1 Dec 1963.
🏞️ Assam
- 1983: AASU-led agitation over illegal migration.
- Assam Accord (1985) with PM Rajiv Gandhi, HM Shankarrao Chavan, Prafullakumar Mahanta.
- 1986: Elections; Mahanta (AGP) became CM; peace process advanced.
🌄 Arunachal Pradesh
- NEFA (1954) ➜ “Arunachal Pradesh” (1972).
- Statehood: 20 Feb 1987.
🗓️ Quick Timeline
| Year | Event | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | NEFA formed; NNC declares independent federation (Nagaland) | NE/ Nagaland |
| 1959 | Famine spurs MNF rise | Mizoram |
| 1961–66 | MNF formed; independence declared; suppressed | Mizoram |
| 1971 | North Eastern Council Act | North-East |
| 1973 | Anandpur Sahib Resolution | Punjab |
| 1983 | President’s Rule (Punjab); Assam agitation | Punjab/Assam |
| 3–6 Jun 1984 | Operation Blue Star | Punjab |
| 1985 | Assam Accord; Mizoram Accord | Assam/Mizoram |
| 1986 | Operation Black Thunder | Punjab |
| 1987 | Arunachal Pradesh statehood | NE |
🚩 Naxalism
Started as a peasant movement for land redistribution; later deviated into violent, anti-state tactics challenging internal security.
- Naxalbari, 1967 (West Bengal): Landless labourers & small farmers seize lands; red flags mark “liberated zones”.
- Created Action Committees; later obstructed welfare schemes and rejected democracy.
- Spread: WB, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh (Bastar, Rajnandgaon, Sukma), Maharashtra (Gadchiroli, Bhandara, parts of Chandrapur), MP (Balaghat, Mandla), Odisha (Koraput).
- PLGA formed to maintain influence.
🕊️ Communalism
- Rooted in excessive religious pride and fanaticism, leading to prejudice and mistrust.
- Triggers riots, loss of lives, destruction of property, and weakens national unity.
✅ Counter-Measures
- Promote inter-faith mixing and shared celebrations.
- Address economic & social issues rationally—avoid religious framing.
- Build mutual trust and respect; reject bigotry.
📌 Impact Snapshot
| Effect | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Social Trust | Breaks down 🤝 ✖️ |
| Public Order | Riots & violence 🧯 |
| Economy | Property loss, slowdown 📉 |
| Unity | National integration weakens 🇮🇳 |
🗺️ Regionalism
Excessive regional pride + development imbalance = strain on national unity.
- Natural love for one’s region is fine; becomes harmful when it implies superiority over others.
- Imbalance: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Tamil Nadu advanced faster than Odisha, Bihar, Assam → differing opportunities.
- Leads to resentment in backward areas and exclusivism in advanced regions.
🧠 Quick Revision (Exam-Ready)
| Topic | Essentials | One-Line Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| PUNJAB | 1973 Resolution; 1983 President’s Rule; Ops Blue Star (1984) & Black Thunder (1986) | Autonomy demands ➜ militancy ➜ security ops ➜ peace |
| NORTH-EAST | NEFA (1954), NEC (1971), Mizoram & Assam Accords, statehood milestones | Development with cultural respect stabilised the region |
| NAXALISM | Started 1967; spread across central-eastern belt; PLGA | From land rights to armed insurgency |
| COMMUNALISM | Fanaticism, riots, mistrust | Counter with trust, reason, and inclusion |
| REGIONALISM | Development imbalance; pride turns exclusionary | Balanced growth is the antidote |
✅ Conclusion
India continues to tackle separatism, extremism, communalism, and regionalism while addressing wider issues like population, poverty, agriculture, housing and food. With democratic processes and reforms, the nation moves steadily towards unity with development.
📝 Chapter 3: India’s Internal Challenges – Exercises with Answers
1. Answer the following questions in detail
(1) Which demands were put forward through the ‘Anandpur Sahib Resolution’ by the Akali Dal?
- Chandigarh to be made part of Punjab.
- Punjabi-speaking areas in other States to be merged with Punjab.
- Greater autonomy for the State of Punjab within the Union.
- Higher recruitment of Sikhs in the Indian Army.
- (Later political demands also stressed a larger share of river waters and holy city status for Amritsar.)
(2) What can we do to end communalism?
- Rebuild trust: encourage daily interfaith interactions, joint celebrations and community work.
- Think rationally: analyse social/economic/political issues on their merits—avoid viewing them through a religious lens.
- Respect and learn: accept good practices and ideas across religions; promote constitutional values.
- Counter fanaticism: reject hate speech, rumours and stereotyping; support law-based action against violence.
- Civic education: teach history and civics that highlight pluralism, equality and national unity.
(3) When does regionalism become strong?
- When regional imbalances in development persist—backward regions face poor education, jobs and amenities.
- When developed regions develop a superiority complex and resist sharing benefits.
- When backward regions respond with excessive regional pride, over-glorifying local traditions to assert uniqueness.
- When these attitudes break inter-state understanding, harming national unity.
2. Write short notes on
(1) Communalism
Communalism arises from narrow religious pride turning into bigotry and fanaticism. It breeds mistrust among communities, fuels riots, destroys public peace, causes loss of life and property, and weakens national unity. The remedy lies in interfaith harmony, rational thinking about socio-economic issues, and nurturing mutual respect and constitutional values.
(2) Regionalism
Regionalism is excessive pride in one’s region that leads to a sense of superiority or grievance. It often stems from uneven development. Developed States may look down on others; backward regions may assert identity in reaction. The long-term solution is to reduce imbalances through inclusive growth, better education and civic amenities, and equitable sharing of opportunities.
3. Explain the following statements with reasons
(1) It became necessary to carry out the ‘Operation Blue Star’.
Reason: Militants led by supporters of Independent Khalistan had fortified the Golden Temple–Akal Takht complex with arms and sandbag barricades, disturbing peace and challenging the authority of the State. To evict armed militants and restore order at a sacred site, the Army undertook Operation Blue Star (3–6 June 1984).
(2) We should fight communalism with all our strength.
Reason: Communalism breaks mutual trust, triggers violence, destroys public property, and threatens national unity. Only by actively promoting interfaith harmony, rational analysis of issues, and inclusive citizenship can society safeguard democracy and peace.
4. Write the full forms
| Abbreviation | Full Form |
|---|---|
| MNF | Mizo National Front |
| NNC | Naga National Council |
| PLGA | People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army |
📌 Projects (Activity prompts)
- Prepare a timeline of key events: Punjab unrest (1973–1986), NEFA→Arunachal (1954–1987), Mizoram Accord (1985), Assam Accord (1985), spread of Naxalism.
- Make a case study poster on one North-East State (Mizoram/Nagaland/Assam): causes of conflict and steps to peace.
- Conduct a class debate: “Balanced development is the best antidote to regionalism.”
🧠 Quick Recap (Exam-Ready)
- Anandpur Sahib Resolution: Chandigarh to Punjab; merge Punjabi-speaking areas; more autonomy; higher Sikh recruitment.
- End Communalism: trust, interfaith mixing, rational thinking, reject fanaticism.
- Regionalism rises: due to development imbalances, superiority complex, grievance politics.
- Blue Star: to remove militants and restore peace at Golden Temple.
- Full Forms: MNF, NNC, PLGA.