Regional Aspirations

Punjab — The Khalistan Movement: Background: • The Akali Dal — the main Sikh political party — had long demanded greater autonomy for Punjab and more rights for Sikhs. • The Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973): The Akali Dal demanded transfer of Chandigarh (the shared capital with Haryana) to Punjab, creation of a separate Sikh religious body, and greater state autonomy. Escalation: • From the late 1970s, a militant movement for 'Khalistan' (a separate Sikh homeland) grew — initially encouraged by Indira Gandhi as a counter to the Akali Dal. • Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: A religious preacher who became the leader of the militant movement. He and his followers fortified the Golden Temple (Amritsar). Operation Blue Star (June 1984): • Indira Gandhi ordered the Indian Army to storm the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) to flush out Bhindranwale and his armed followers. • The operation killed hundreds — including many pilgrims. Bhindranwale was killed. • The storming of the Golden Temple was deeply traumatic for Sikhs — it was seen as a desecration of their holiest shrine. • Consequences: Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984. Anti-Sikh Riots (1984): • Following Indira's assassination, organised violence against Sikhs erupted in Delhi and other cities — thousands were killed. Congress leaders were implicated in the violence. Resolution: • The Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord (1985): Promised to address Akali demands — Chandigarh to Punjab, a tribunal on river waters. • Longowal was assassinated by militants; the Accord's implementation stalled. • Military operations (1987–93) eventually suppressed the insurgency. Jammu & Kashmir: • J&K was given special status under Article 370 — its own constitution and limited central government jurisdiction. • The Sheikh Abdullah-Nehru relationship was complex: Abdullah (the 'Lion of Kashmir') led the pro-India National Conference but was dismissed and jailed (1953–68). • Rigged elections, central interference, and human rights abuses fuelled separatism. • From the late 1980s: Armed insurgency — Pakistan-backed militants and indigenous disaffection combined. • The Kashmiri Pandit exodus (1990): Hundreds of thousands of Hindu Pandits fled the Valley under threat. • The insurgency continues in various forms.

The North-East — A Distinctive Region: • The North-East of India consists of seven states (the 'Seven Sisters' — Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh) plus Sikkim. • This region has extraordinary ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity — and is connected to the rest of India only by the narrow 'Chicken's Neck' corridor. • Historical factors: The region was only partially integrated into British India; many communities have distinct identities; insurgencies have been driven by desire for self-determination, exclusion from development, and opposition to migrant settlers from the rest of India. Key Movements: 1. Nagaland: • The Nagas — a collection of tribes — launched the first major insurgency in independent India. • The Naga National Council (NNC) declared independence in 1947 — India did not accept it. • A long-running armed conflict began — India used the army and passed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) — a controversial law giving the armed forces extraordinary powers in 'disturbed areas.' • The Shillong Accord (1975) brought some factions to peace. • The NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) — Isak-Muivah faction — signed a 'Framework Agreement' in 2015 but final settlement is still awaited. 2. Mizoram: • The Mizo National Front (MNF) under Laldenga launched an insurgency after the Great Famine (1959) was mishandled. • Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga signed the Mizo Accord (1986) — MNF gave up arms; Mizoram became a full state; Laldenga became Chief Minister. • Mizoram is considered one of India's most successful peace settlements. 3. Assam — Foreigners Issue: • Large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh into Assam led to demographic change — threatening indigenous Assamese identity. • All Assam Students' Union (AASU) agitation (1979–85): Demanded detection and deportation of illegal immigrants. • The Assam Accord (1985): Between Rajiv Gandhi and AASU — established procedures for identifying illegal immigrants. AASU leaders formed the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) party. • The issue remains deeply contentious — the NRC (National Register of Citizens) exercise under the Supreme Court's direction (2019) attempted to identify genuine citizens. 4. AFSPA: • The Armed Forces Special Powers Act — applied in the North-East (and J&K) — gives the military immunity from prosecution. • Condemned by human rights organisations; Irom Sharmila of Manipur went on the world's longest hunger strike (16 years) against AFSPA.

Why Regional Aspirations Arise: 1. Ethnic and cultural distinctiveness: • India's regions have distinct languages, religions, cultures, and histories. Communities that feel their identity is threatened by a homogenising state or by migration seek political recognition and self-governance. 2. Uneven development: • Many regions that generate resources (the North-East's forests and hydroelectric potential; Jharkhand's minerals) have felt they are 'internal colonies' — their resources exploited for the benefit of distant populations. • Development grievances — lack of roads, jobs, healthcare — fuel alienation. 3. Historical claims: • Many movements (Nagas, Manipuris) draw on pre-colonial histories of independence — arguing they were never truly part of India. 4. Democratic mobilisation: • India's democracy has created space for political mobilisation on regional/ethnic lines — regional parties, statehood movements. 5. Migration and demographic change: • Large-scale migration (from other states or from Bangladesh) into regions like Assam triggers fears of being 'swamped' and losing political power. How India Has Responded — A Range of Strategies: 1. Military force: • The Indian state has used force in every major insurgency — Punjab, J&K, North-East — AFSPA gives the military extraordinary powers. • Force alone has rarely resolved conflicts but has contained them. 2. Negotiated settlements: • Mizoram Accord (1986), Assam Accord (1985), NSCN Framework Agreement (2015) — negotiated solutions that address political demands. 3. Creating new states: • Many regional demands are for statehood — India has responded by creating new states: Nagaland (1963), Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura (1972), Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh (1987), Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh (2000), Telangana (2014). 4. Autonomy within states: • Sixth Schedule of the Constitution creates Autonomous District Councils for tribal areas in the North-East — giving communities significant self-governance. 5. Development: • 'Look East' / 'Act East' policy aimed to develop North-East connectivity and economy. General Pattern: • India has been more successful in resolving movements with negotiable demands (statehood, autonomy, land rights) than movements demanding secession. • The combination of military pressure and political accommodation has been India's general strategy.