Political Science Flashcards
(66 cards)
Who emerged as a towering leader with tremendous popularity in Indian politics during the late 1960s?
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi’s popularity was significant during this period of political change.
What slogan did the Congress party use during the 1971 elections?
Garibi hatao (remove poverty)
This slogan aimed to address poverty in India.
What major crisis put a heavy strain on India’s economy in the early 1970s?
The Bangladesh crisis
This crisis led to the influx of eight million refugees into India.
What was the percentage increase in prices of commodities in 1973?
23 per cent
This increase contributed to widespread hardship among the population.
What was the impact of the U.S. government stopping all aid to India after the war with Pakistan?
It strained India’s economy further
The cessation of aid added to existing economic challenges.
What was the inflation rate in India in 1974?
30 per cent
This high inflation rate caused significant economic hardship.
Fill in the blank: The government froze the salaries of its employees to reduce _______.
expenditure
This action led to dissatisfaction among government employees.
What was the agricultural productivity decline in food grain output during 1972-1973?
8 per cent
This decline was due to failed monsoons.
What was a consequence of the split in the Congress party?
It sharpened divisions between Indira Gandhi and her opponents
This split contributed to the polarization of Indian politics.
True or False: The Supreme Court found many initiatives of the government to be in line with the principles of democracy.
False
The Court found many initiatives to be violative of the Constitution.
What did the Congress party allege about the Supreme Court?
It was a conservative institution obstructing pro-poor welfare programmes
This allegation highlighted tensions between the government and judiciary.
What was a significant economic issue in rural areas during this period?
Very high unemployment
The economic conditions were particularly dire in rural regions.
How did party competition in Indian politics change after 1967?
It became bitter and polarized
This change marked a significant shift in political dynamics.
Fill in the blank: The Congress party’s position was that the Supreme Court was becoming an obstacle in the way of implementing _______.
pro-poor welfare programmes
This reflects the political tensions of the time.
What term describes the opposition parties that organized protests against the Congress government in the 1970s?
Non-Congress opposition parties
These parties effectively mobilized public discontent during a period of national crisis.
What significant political movements were occurring in West Bengal during this time?
Marxist-Leninist (now Maoist) groups
These groups rejected parliamentary politics and resorted to insurgent techniques.
What sparked the student protests in Gujarat in January 1974?
Rising prices of food grains and corruption
The protests were initially focused on economic issues before expanding to political demands.
What was the outcome of the student protests in Gujarat?
Imposition of President’s rule and fresh elections
The protests led to a significant political shift in the state, resulting in the Congress party’s defeat.
Who led the student movement in Bihar?
Jayaprakash Narayan (JP)
He was a prominent social activist who accepted leadership on the condition of non-violence.
What was the main demand of the Bihar student movement?
Dismissal of the Congress government
The movement aimed for a total revolution to achieve true democracy.
What types of protests were organized by the students in Bihar?
Bandhs, gehraos, and strikes
These forms of protest were used to challenge the state government and draw attention to their demands.
What was the response of the Congress government in Bihar to the protests?
Refusal to resign
The government maintained its position despite widespread public dissent.
