Demand for Separate States in India

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Questions and Answers

Which racial group do the Bhils belong to?

Mongoloid

Caucasian

Australoid (correct)

Negroid

What unique attire do Bhil men typically wear?

Kurta and dhoti

Lungi and shirt

Long frocks and pyjamas (correct)

Western-style suits

What is the primary reason behind the demand for a new state called Kongu Nadu?

Regional demography and cultural identity (correct)

Historical grievances

Religious differences

Economic disparities

Which act governs the creation of new states in India?

States Reorganisation Act of 1956 Signup and view all the answers

Who initiates the process of creating a new state in India?

The President Signup and view all the answers

What is the capital proposed for the new state of Kongu Nadu?

Coimbatore Signup and view all the answers

What ethnic group is the demand for Bodoland primarily based on?

Bodo people Signup and view all the answers

Which region has had a longstanding demand for statehood and covers the Amravati and Nagpur divisions?

Vidarbha Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Supreme Court of India?

To interpret the Constitution and adjudicate disputes Signup and view all the answers

Which type of jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear appeals from lower courts?

Appellate Jurisdiction Signup and view all the answers

What is the age until which a judge of the Supreme Court of India serves?

65 years Signup and view all the answers

Who can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on constitutional matters?

The President of India Signup and view all the answers

What notable legal concept did the Supreme Court pioneer in India?

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Supreme Court is TRUE?

It operates independently from the executive and legislative branches. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first Chief Justice of India?

Harilal Jekisundas Kania Signup and view all the answers

What is the final authority of the Supreme Court concerning its decisions?

They are final and binding on all courts in India. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason the Bhil tribal community is demanding a separate state?

Cultural and administrative autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Which state has seen intensified demands from the Bhil tribal community for a separate state?

Rajasthan Signup and view all the answers

What name is being proposed for the separate state demanded by the Bhil tribal community?

Bhil Pradesh Signup and view all the answers

The Bhil tribal community's demand for a separate state is primarily centered around which of the following aspects?

Cultural identity and representation Signup and view all the answers

What form of governance do the Bhil community members seek by proposing 'Bhil Pradesh'?

Decentralized governance Signup and view all the answers

The term 'Bhil Pradesh' represents a demand for which type of organization?

A political entity Signup and view all the answers

In addition to cultural autonomy, what other aspect has the Bhil community highlighted in their demand?

Administrative autonomy Signup and view all the answers

The advocacy for a separate state by the Bhil community can be categorized as which type of demand?

Ethnic separatism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the local units known as 'shakhas' within the RSS?

Facilitating daily physical exercises and discussions Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is considered closely affiliated with the RSS and is known for promoting Hindu values?

Vishva Hindu Parishad Signup and view all the answers

During which significant historical event was the RSS first banned?

Following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination Signup and view all the answers

What accusation has been made against the RSS related to its activities?

Encouraging communal violence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a reason cited for the scrutiny faced by the RSS?

Connection to recent economic policies Signup and view all the answers

What marked the second ban on the RSS during the 1975-1977 period?

The implementation of the Emergency Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the demolition of the Babri Masjid on the RSS?

Increased scrutiny and crackdown on its activities Signup and view all the answers

Which organization represents a group of Islamic scholars related to the Deobandi school of thought?

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Signup and view all the answers

What change has been made regarding central government employees and their relationship with the RSS?

They can engage with the RSS without facing disciplinary action. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization continues to face restrictions similar to those previously imposed on the RSS?

Jamaat-e-Islami Signup and view all the answers

How did previous governments respond to the restrictions placed on government employees engaging with the RSS?

They maintained the restrictions without changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as established by its founder?

To foster a sense of nationalism and promote Hindu values. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the current Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?

Mohan Bhagwat Signup and view all the answers

In what historical context was the RSS founded?

In response to colonial rule and the non-cooperation movement. Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the influence of the RSS in India post-Partition?

Its involvement in various social and political movements. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the RSS in terms of its organizational stance?

It operates solely as a cultural entity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Demand for ‘Bhil Pradesh’

The Bhil tribe in Rajasthan is demanding a separate state called "Bhil Pradesh" for cultural and administrative autonomy.
The Bhils are an Australoid group, one of the oldest inhabitants of the subcontinent with a distinct racial identity linked to the Dravidian tribes of Western India.

Other Demands for Separate States

The Kongu Nadu movement seeks a separate state comprising parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, with Coimbatore as its capital. It is based on regional demography, culture, and linguistic identity.
Vidarbha, covering the Amravati and Nagpur divisions of eastern Maharashtra, has a longstanding demand for statehood, advocating for separate administration due to its distinct identity from the rest of Maharashtra.
The Gorkhaland movement in West Bengal seeks a separate state for the Darjeeling region, citing distinct cultural and linguistic identity.
In Assam, the demand for a separate Bodoland state for the Bodo people is driven by ethnic identity and administrative needs.

Framework for Establishing New States

The process of forming new states in India is outlined in Article 3 of the Constitution.
The President initiates the process by sending a proposal to the concerned state legislature.
The state legislature is required to provide its views on the proposal.

The Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in India, responsible for constitutional interpretation and dispute resolution.
It consists of the Chief Justice of India and 33 other judges.
It has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction, and it plays a key role in public interest litigation (PIL).
The Court conducts judicial review, ensuring the government's actions align with the Constitution.
It operates independently of the executive and legislative branches.
Judges serve until the age of 65, and their decisions are final and binding on all courts in India.
Harilal Jekisundas Kania was the first Chief Justice of India.
Y.V. Chandrachud currently holds the position of Chief Justice of India.

New guidelines on RSS Participation for Central Government Employees

Central government employees can now engage with the RSS without disciplinary action, as the government considers it a cultural organization.
Restrictions on participation in other organizations deemed political, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami, remain in place, highlighting the selective application of the new guidelines.
State governments have their own rules regarding participation in RSS activities, which may differ depending on the ruling party.
Despite the new guidelines, past governments, including those led by the BJP, did not alter similar restrictions, highlighting the unique nature of the current revision.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

The RSS is a prominent right-wing, volunteer, Hindu nationalist organization in India.
It was founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar to promote Hindu values and foster nationalism.
Mohan Bhagwat is the current Sarsanghchalak (head) of the RSS.
It was founded against the backdrop of colonial rule and the non-cooperation movement.
The RSS grew rapidly during and after India's partition in 1947 and played a significant role in social and political movements.
It has been influential in the spread of Hindutva ideology.

Structure and Functioning of the RSS

The RSS operates through local units called 'shakhas,' where members participate in physical exercises, discussions on ideology, and social service activities.
It has numerous affiliated organizations, known collectively as the Sangh Parivar, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal, among others.

Controversies and Criticisms of the RSS

The RSS has been deeply intertwined with the Indian political landscape, especially through its close association with the BJP.
It has faced accusations of fostering communal violence and has a history of bans, including after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 and during the Emergency (1975-1977).
Despite no direct evidence linking it to Gandhi's death, severe scrutiny and crackdown followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

Organizations similar to the RSS

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP): Founded in 1964, the VHP focuses on promoting Hindu values and culture and is known for its role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, advocating for a temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind: A leading organization of Islamic scholars belonging to the Deobandi school of thought.

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Description

Explore the various movements in India advocating for the creation of separate states, such as Bhil Pradesh, Kongu Nadu, Vidarbha, and Gorkhaland. Each movement is rooted in distinct cultural identities and demographics, seeking autonomy for their respective groups. This quiz delves into the historical and social contexts behind these demands.