Political Science Notes Chapter 4 Class 12 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – Political Science Class 12

Contemporary India: Challenges to Peace, Stability and National Integration

1. Introduction

• India is a democratic country with many different views due to its diverse society (caste, religion, poverty, illiteracy, languages, etc.).
• Problems like riots, caste violence, and protests disturb peace.
• Poor governance and weak law enforcement make these issues worse.
• Peace and stability are important for a country’s growth and unity.

2. Key Concepts

Nation: A group of people who feel united due to shared culture, history, language, or religion.
Nationalism: A feeling of pride and identity that unites people in a nation.
State: A nation becomes a state when it has a government, land, people, and power (sovereignty).
National Integration: Bringing all diverse groups together to form one united nation without erasing their differences.

3. Role of the State

The State has five main roles to keep the country united and peaceful:

1. Peace and Order: Protects people and maintains law to keep society stable.
2. Economic Development: Helps industries and farming grow to improve people’s lives.
3. Nation Building: Ensures diversity doesn’t break the country apart; promotes unity.
4. Governance: Involves people in decision-making (democracy).
5. Welfare: Works for fairness and supports weaker sections of society.

These roles are based on values like nationalism, secularism, and democracy.

4. National Integration

It means creating a common identity (e.g., “Indian”) while respecting differences (like being Marathi, Tamil, Hindu, Muslim, etc.).

It’s like a “Salad Bowl”: Every group keeps its own identity but adds to the whole (unlike a “Melting Pot,” where all identities mix into one).

Values of National Integration:

• Common citizenship
• Unity in diversity
• Loyalty to the nation
• Brotherhood among all groups
• Secularism (no religion favored)
• Justice and equality

5. India’s Efforts After Independence (1947)

Challenges: Poverty, illiteracy, inequality, and uniting diverse groups.
Goals: Nationalism, democracy, secularism, economic growth, and social change.
Steps Taken:

• Structural:
  • Constitution gave voting rights to all (democracy).
  • Federal system: Strong central government + state powers.
  • Recognized many languages and reorganized states based on them.
  • Created National Integration Council (1961) to fight communalism and regionalism.
• Psychological:
  • Freedom movement united people as “Indians.”
  • Symbols like the National Flag, Anthem, and Emblem built emotional unity.

6. Challenges to Peace and Stability

India faced many issues that threatened its unity:

a. Integration of Princely States

• After 1947, princely states like Jammu & Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagadh had to join India or Pakistan. Some caused conflicts.

b. Regional and Militant Movements

• Naxalism (Left Wing Extremism):
  • Started in 1967 in Naxalbari (West Bengal) as a peasant protest.
  • Now called CPI (Maoist), it uses violence to overthrow the government.
  • Active in rural, poor areas; supported by tribals, dalits, and landless workers.
• North East Issues:
  • States like Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam faced militancy due to cultural diversity and lack of development.
• Khalistan Movement:
  • In Punjab, a violent demand for a separate Sikh state in the 1980s led to Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

c. Cross Border Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir

• Started with Pakistan sending raiders in 1947 to force Kashmir to join them.
• Groups like JKLF and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen demanded independence or merger with Pakistan.
• 1990s: Islamic militancy grew, forcing Kashmiri Pandits to leave.
• 2019: Article 370 removed; Jammu & Kashmir split into two Union Territories.

d. Terrorism

• Violent attacks on civilians to create fear (e.g., Mumbai blasts 1993, 2008; Parliament attack 2001).
• Old Terrorism: Fought for specific rights (e.g., LTTE in Sri Lanka).
• Modern Terrorism: Fights for global ideological goals (e.g., 9/11 attack).

7. Role of the State in Crisis

• Basic Level: Ensures stability, growth, and welfare using the Constitution.
• Second Level: Solves early problems (e.g., demands for language-based states) by giving more representation or jobs.
• Third Level: Handles violent crises (e.g., Gorkhaland) with force, development boards, or autonomy.

8. Conclusion

• Peace, stability, and national integration are vital for India’s progress.
• The State must balance unity and diversity while tackling challenges like terrorism, extremism, and regional demands.