Important Questions CBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements -CoolGyan

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CBSE Class 12 Political Science Important Questions
Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements

1 Mark Questions

Question 1.
Highlight the most novel aspect of the Chipko movement. (Delhi 2016)
OR
What was Chipko Movement? (All India 2012, 2008; Delhi (C) 2008)
OR
What is meant by Chipko movement? (All India 2011)
Answer:
The Chipko movement was primarily a forest conservation movement in India that began in 1973 in Uttarakhand (the then Uttar Pradesh). The most novel aspect of the movement was women’s active participation in it.
Question 4.
Mention the two main demands of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) in 1980s. (All India 2014)
OR
Mention any two main demands of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). (Delhi 2014, 2013)
Answer:
The two main demands of the BKU were:

Higher government floor prices for sugarcane and wheat.
Abolition of restrictions on the interstate.

Question 5.
Name the popular movement which demanded that no forest exploiting contract should be given to any outsider. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Chipko Movement
Question 6.
What was the Anti-arrack movement? (Delhi 2012, All India 2010)
Answer:
Anti’-Arrack movement was a social movement in Andhra Pradesh. It was a movement by rural women against alcoholism, and liquor mafia.
Question 7.
What was the main objective of the Dalit Panthers? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
The main objective of the Dalit Panthers was to destroy the caste system and to build an organisation of all oppressed sections.
Question 8.
What is meant by ‘Party Based Movements? (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Some social or political movements which are based on the ideologies of political parties but their activists do not participate in elections formally are known as Tarty based movements’.

2 Mark Questions

Question 1.
How does party-based movement differ from non-party movement? (All India 2014)
OR
Distinguish between the party-based movements and non-party based movements. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
Party based movements are based on the ideologies of political parties while non-party based movements are independent from party association.
Question 2.
What was the main demand of Chipko movement? (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Main demands of the Chipko movement were :

The villagers demanded that no forest exploiting contracts should be given.
Local communities should have effective control over the forest resources.

Question 3.
Highlight any two main demands of the Anti-arrack movement. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Two main demands of the Anti-arrack movements are :

To put a ban on the sale of alcohol (arrack) in their concerned areas.
The movement made demands of equal representation for women in politics.

Question 4.
Mention any two issues of concern related to development projects such as Sardar Sarovar Project. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Two issues of concern related to development projects such as Sardar Sarovar project are :

Relocation
Proper rehabilitation

Question 5.
List any four activities conducted by Bhartiya Kisan Union to pressurise the state for accepting its demands. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
The four activities conducted by Bhartiya Kisan Union to pressurise the state for accepting demands were :

Dharna
Demonstration
Rallies
Jail Bharo

Question 6.
Which groups are mobilised by popular movements? What are the methods used by these movements? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Poor, socially and economically disadvantaged or marginalised groups of society are mobilised by popular movements. They use the methods to involve large scale participation of citizens.
Question 7.
What was the role of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in the enactment of Right to Information Act? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) played following role in the enactment of Right to Information Act:

It took the initiative in demanding records of famine relief work and accounts of labourers.
In 1966, MKSS formed National Council for People’s Right to information in Delhi to raise RTI to the status of a national campaign.

Question 8.
Which action of the Government of India threatened the fish worker s’ lives in a major way? Which organisation did they form at the national level? (All India 2012)
OR
What does NFF stand for? How was fishworkers’ life threatened in a big way? (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
NFF stands for National Fishworkers Forum. When the government permitted entry to machanised and technologies like bottom trawling for large-scale harvest of fish in the Indian seas, the lives of the fishworkers were threatened in a major way. The formed National Fishworkers’ forum at the national level.
Question 9.
Why was ‘National Fishworkers’ Forum formed? (All India 2011)
Answer:
‘National Fishworkers’ forum was formed due to following reasons:

For protecting ecology
For protecting lives of the fishworkers.

Question 10.
Mention any two issues raised by the Dalit panthers. (Delhi 2010)
OR
When was the Dalit panthers formed? Mention any two of its prominent demands. (All India 2008)
Answer:
Dalit panthers, a militant organisation of the Dalit youth, was formed in Maharashtra in 1972. They raised two issues and demanded to abolish it. These issues are following :

Perpetual caste based inequalities.
Material injustices that the Dalits faced in spite of constitutional guarantees of equality and justice.

4 Mark Questions

Question 1.
Assess any two positive aspects of the Chipko movement. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Two positive aspect of the Chipko movement:

Participation by women People gathered in large number and women participation was unique to it. It was first time since independence that participation by women in large number was noticed.
Environmental movement Chipko movement was the first of its kind movement after independence which showed concern about environment. This movement is first movement which shows direct people participation in mass level.

Question 2.
State any two main demands of the Narmada Bachao Aandolan. (All India 2015)
OR
What was Narmada Bachao Aandolan? What was the criticism against it? (All India 2008)
Answer:
Sardar Sarovar project was a multipurpose dam project under which many dams were planned to be constructed. It was proposed to be constructed on Narmada river and its tributaries flowing through three states Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
But a movement called Narmada Bachao Aandolan was launched to save Narmada. It opposed the construction of dam and the nature of development was also questioned.
Two major dams were to be constructed under the project. They were Sardar Sarovar project (Gujarat) and Narmada Sagar project (Madhya Pradesh).
Due to following reasons, this project was criticised :

The project was criticised by many environmentalist and people who were supposed to suffer out of it. The question of their rehabilitation came prior to the minds 245 villages were estimated to get submerged in those three states.
Narmada Bachao Aandolan’s activist claimed that the local people’s right were sacrificed for the sake of benefits of others in which they had no profit.

Domestic voilence was a major issue raised by these women. Unequal treatment and injustice to women was common all over the country.
Agitation raised on a local issue in a small village reached to urban areas with the beginning of the protest, the demands intensified. Women asked for reservation in political offices and after some time 73rd and 74th amendments were introduced to the Construction granting reservation to women in local politics.

Question 4.
Describe any four demands made by Bharatiya Kisan Unioin after 1980. (All India 2015)
Answer:
Following were the major demands put forwards by the BKU (any four) :

Higher government floor price for sugarcane and wheat.
Abolition of restriction on the interstate movement of farm produce.
Guaranteed supply of electricity at reasonable rates.
Waiving of repayment due on loans to farmers.
Provision of a government pension for farmers.

Question 5.
Highlight the importance of popular movements. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Importance of popular movements are :

Effective representation of groups and their demands are ensured by popular movements.
The possibilities of deep social conflicts are reduced by popular movements.
Popular movements make the people aware of their rights.
Popular movements help people having similar problems, demands and expectations to come closer.

Question 6.
Where and when was the organisation ‘Dalit panthers’ formed? Describe any three of its activities. (Delhi 2013)
OR
Who were Dalit panthers? What did they stand for? (Delhi 2005)
OR
Who were Dalit panthers? Which steps were taken by then to secure rights for the downtrodden? (All India 2010)
Answer:
Dalit panthers was a militant organisation formed by Dalit Youth in Maharashtra in 1972. Dalit Panthers came up as a part of the assertions by Dalits. Dalits were facing atrocities and humiliation by upper section of society from a long time.
In early 1970s, the first generation Dalit graduates, decided to protest against such unaccepted behaviour of society towards them and their main activities were as follows:

They demanded several things which were guaranteed to them, but never implemented such as policy of reservation, guaranteed to them never came into imple- mentation effectively. Their prior demand was to implement those policies which were formed for their betterment by government.
After the prohibition of practice of untouchability by government such practices did not vanish from the society. Dalits continued to face humiliation. Their demand was to eradicate such evil practices.
Dalit’s women were worst victim of such activities by upper caste men. Dalit panthers seeked help of Republican Party of India, but ramained marginalised.

Dalit panthers decided to gain support of masses, so as to make their voice strong enough. The larger ideological agenda of the panthers was to destroy the caste system and to build an organisation of all oppressed sections.
Question 7.
“It is not enough to have representative form of democracy. It is necessary to participate in popular movements to make democracy a success.” Do you agree with this view? Why? (HOTS; Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Yes, I agree with the statement because :

The popular movements are integral part of democracy.
Effective representation of groups and their demand s are ensured by popular movements.
The possibilities of deep social conflicts are reduced by popular movements.
Popular movements make the people aware of their rights.
Popular movements help people having similar problems, demands and expectations to come closer.

Question 8.
What are popular movements? Explain any three issues related to women which brought social awareness amongst them, (All India 2010)
Answer:
When group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals is called popular movement. Three issues related to women which brought social awareness amongst them are :

Issue of gender discrimination. These issues were very complicated in nature.
Issue of domestic violence. The custom of dowry, sexual abuse at work and public places.
Issues of sexual violence. These issues are highlighted by different women movements in order to bring gender equality.

6 Marks Questions

Question 1.
Describe any six advantages of popular movements, (All India 2016)
OR
What are popular movements? Describe any four benefits of popular movements. (All indin 2013)
OR
How do public or social movements in India, strengthen democracy? What are their limitations? (Delhi 2008)
OR
Evaluate the lessons that have been learnt from popular movements in India. (Delhi (C) 2008)
OR
What is meant by popular movements? What are the lessons that have been learnt from these movements? (All India (C) 2008)
Answer:
When a group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals is called popular movement. The advantages or lessons learnt from popular movements are :

These movements help us to understand better the nature of democratic politics.
These movements came up to rectify some problems in the functioning of party politics and should be seen as integral part of our democratic politics.
These movements represented new social groups whose economic and social grievances were not redressed in the realm of electoral politics.
Popular movements ensured effective representation of diverse groups and their demands.
Popular movements suggested new forms of active participation and thus broadened the idea of participation in Indian democracy.
Some of the critics of these movements often argue that collective actions like strikes, sit-ins and rallies disrupt the functioning of the government, delay decision-making and destabilise the routines of democracy.

Question 2.
Who were Dalit Panthers? Describe their main activities. (All India 2016)
Answer:
Dalit panthers was a militant organisation formed by Dalit Youth in Maharashtra in 1972. Dalit Panthers came up as a part of the assertions by Dalits. Dalits were facing atrocities and humiliation by upper section of society from a long time.
In early 1970s, the first generation Dalit graduates, decided to protest against such unaccepted behaviour of society towards them and their main activities were as follows:

They demanded several things which were guaranteed to them, but never implemented such as policy of reservation, guaranteed to them never came into implementation effectively. Their prior demand was to implement those policies which were formed for their betterment by government.
After the prohibition of practice of untouchability by government such practices did not vanish from the society. Dalits continued to face humiliation. Their demand was to eradicate such evil practices.
Dalit’s women were worst victim of such activities by upper caste men. Dalit panthers seeked help of Republican Party of India, but ramained marginalised.

Dalit panthers decided to gain support of masses, so as to make their voice strong enough. The larger ideological agenda of the panthers was to destroy the caste system and to build an organisation of all oppressed sections.
Question 3.
Describe any six factors which made the farmers’ movement run by Bhartiya Kisan Union as the most successful popular movement. (Delhi 2016)
OR
Describe the growth and characteristics of the farmers’ movement led by Bhartiya Kisan Union since 1988. (All India 2013)
OR
What is meant by BKU? What were their main demands? Which activities did they adopt for success? (Delhi (c) 2008)
Answer:
The well-established farmers of Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana agitated against the rising price of electricity. They later formed Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). The BKU was one of the leading farmers organisation.
For main demands of BKU is following were the major demands put forwards by the BKU (any four) :

Higher government floor price for sugarcane and wheat.
Abolition of restriction on the inter state movement of farm produce.
Guaranteed supply of electricity at reasonable rates.
Waiving of repayment due on loans to farmers.
Provision of a government pension for farmers.

Six factors which made the farmers movement run by Bhartiya Kisan Union as the most successful popular movement are :

The BKU organised rallies, demonstration, sit-ins and Jail Bharo Aandolan.
The success of BKU lies in the method of organisation adopted by it. BKU used the caste linkage to mobilise the people.
BKU was an informal organisation, but it sustained for a long time and remained stable because it was based on clan network.
BKU was a non-political organisation, but operated as pressure group in politics with its strength of sheer numbers.
The organisation across states did manage to get some of their economic demands accepted.
It encouraged individuals to raise themselves to political powers independently.

So, that party in power could be challenged and their demands could be better accepted.
Question 4.
What is Sardar Sarovar Project? Which benefits are expected to be if the project becomes successful? Also, state the issues of relocation and rehabilitation associated with it. (Delhi 2016)
OR
What is Sardar Sarovar Project? What are the achievements of this movement? Why is it being opposed? (All India 2013)
OR
What was Narmada Bachao Aandolan? What were its main issues? What democratic strategy did it use to put forward its demands? (All India 2012)
Answer:
Sardar Sarovar project was a multipurpose dam project under which many dams were planned to be constructed. It was proposed to be constructed on Narmada river and its tributaries flowing through three states Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
But a movement called Narmada Bachao Aandolan was launched to save Narmada. It opposed the construction of dam and the nature of development was also questioned.
Two major dams were to be constructed under the project. They were Sardar Sarovar project (Gujarat) and Narmada Sagar project (Madhya Pradesh).
Due to following reasons, this project was criticised :

The project was criticised by many environmentalist and people who were supposed to suffer out of it. The question of their rehabilitation came prior to the minds 245 villages were estimated to get submerged in those three states.
Narmada Bachao Aandolan’s activist claimed that the local people’s right were sacrificed for the sake of benefits of others in which they had no profit.

They also question the decision-making process that go in the making of these projects and insist that local communities should also have a say in the making of these projects. Dispute between local people and government continued for a long time.
Question 5.
Describe the issues associated with the Anti-arrack movements in Andhra Pradesh which drew the attention of the entire country. (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Anti-arrack movement It is a movement against consumption of local alcohol called arrack by the men in families. Women were the major participants as well as victim of this movement. The ill efects of arrack ruined the family economy and heavy burden of domestic voilence was borne by women. Women gathered from nearby villages and realised that they were not the only one who were going through this misery. The condition was same in other families too.
They decided to discuss the issues outside their houses. They made in a public issue. Personal problem became public. It was the first time when private matters of families were discussed publically.
For issues which made the Anit-Arrack movement as a women’s movement two issues which made the Anti-arrack movement as a women’s movement are :

Domestic voilence was a major issue raised by these women. Unequal treatment and injustice to women was common all over the country.
Agitation raised on a local issue in a small village reached to urban areas with the beginning of the protest, the demands intensified. Women asked for reservation in political offices and after some time 73rd and 74th amendments were introduced to the Construction granting reservation to women in local politics.

Question 6.
Describe the journey of the movement for Right to Information which ultimately culminated into an act i.e. RTI Act, 2005. (All India 2016)
Answer:
The journey of the movement for Right to Information which culminated into an act i.e.
RTI Act, 2005 is following:

The movement started in 1990, when a mass based organisation called the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Rajasthan took the initiative in demanding records of famine relief work and accounts of labourers.
The demand was first raised in Shim Tehshil in a very backward region of Rajasthan.
In 1994 and 1996, the MKSS organised Jan Sunwais or Public Hearings, where the administration was asked to explain its stand in public.
In 1996 MKSS formed National Council for People’s Right to information in Delhi to raise RTI to the status of a national campaign.
In 2002, a weak freedom of Information Act was legislated but never came into force.
In 2004, RTI Bill was tabled and received presidential assent in June 2005.

Question 7.
Suppose you are an important leader of the farmers’ agitation. The government authorities ask you to present any three demands on behalf of the farmers. On priority basis, which three demands will you make? Support your demands with appropriate arguments, (HOTS: Delhi 2015)
Answer:
As a farmers’ leader, I will present following three demands on behalf of the farmers, before government:

Insurance to crop Indian agriculture is dependent on monsoon, which is unpredictable and risky, The nature of Indian climate pose high risk to crops. In that cases, I will demand to give insurance to crops.
Easy availability of loans Throughout the history of Indian agriculture the farmers have remained a subject to indebtedness. I will demand the government to make easy provisions of agricultural loan at low interests.
Minimum support price After harvest farmers get a non-profitable price in local markets. I will demand the government to give assistance by giving them minimum support price.

Question 8.
What is meant by Chipko movement? When did it start and where? What is the significance of this movement in the conservation of the environment? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
In 1973, a village of Uttar Pradesh now Uttarakhand protested against the commercial logging of trees. They were against the government’s permission given to outsiders on the trees grown on their land. To prevent trees from cutting people used to hug them and this unique way of protest became popular as Chipko movement.
It spread to the nearly villages of Uttarakhand when forest department refused locals to use ash trees for making agricultural tools and granted the same piece of land to a commercial sports manufacturer. Thus, the movement intensified.
For significance of this movement in the conservation of the environment is two positive aspect of the Chipko movement:

Participation by women People gathered in large number and women participation was unique to it. It was first time since independence that participation by women in large number was noticed.
Environmental movement Chipko movement was the first of its kind movement after independence which showed concern about environment. This movement is first movement which shows direct people participation in mass level.

Question 9.
Mention any three social movements of India. Explain their main objectives. (All India 2009)
Answer:
Three social movements of India and their main demands are

Dalit Panthers Dalit Panthers was a militant organisation of the Dalit youth which was formed in Maharashtra in 1972,
Objectives
- To destroy the caste system.
- To build an organisation of all oppressed sections like the landless poor peasants and urban industrial workers along with Dalits.
Bhartiya Kisan Union It was an organisation of farmers from Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana regions.
Objectives
- To demand higher government floor prices for sugarcane and wheat.
- To demand abolition of restrictions on the inter-state movement of farm produce, guaranteed supply of electricity at reasonable prices etc.
Narmada Bachao Movement It was a movement to save Narmada river and against construction of dam on it. Objectives
1. To appose the construction of dAnswer:
2. To question the nature of ongoing developmental projects in the country.

Passage-Based Questions

Question 1.
Study the following passage given below and answer the questions that follow (All India 2017)
Critics of popular movements often argue that collective actions like strikes, sit-ins and rallies disrupt the functioning of the government, delay decision-making and destabilise the routines of democracy. Such an argument invites a deeper question : why do these movements resort to such assertive forms of action? We have seen that popular movements have raised legitimate demands of the people and have involved large scale participation of citizens. It should be noted that the groups mobilised by these movements are poor, socially and economically disadvantaged sections of the society from marginal social groups.
(i) Popular movements resort to which two types of assertive actions?
(ii) How far do you agree with the arguments given by the critics?
(iii) Why are groups involved in popular movements mostly from marginal social groups?
Answer:
(i) Popular movements resort to the collective assertion through actions such as strikes and rallies.
(ii) To some extent critics are right that collective actions of popular movements disrupt and delay decision-making of government, however, popular movements correct the distortion and deviation of democracty. They bring the unheard and suppressed vioces from the margin of society.
(iii) Groups involved in popular movements are mostly from marginal social groups because such social groups concerns, problems and complaints are not raised by political parties by and large. So, poor people or marginalised group took resort to popular movements.
Question 2.
Study the passage given below and answer the following questions that follow
Sardar Sarovar Project is a multipurpose mega-scale dAnswer: It required relocation of around two and a half lakh people from the villages. Issues of relocation and proper rehabilitations of the project-affected people were first raised by the local activist group. It was around 1988-89 that the issues crystallised under the banner of the NBA-a loose collective of local voluntary organisation. (All India 2014)
(i) Why is the Sardar Sarovar Project mentioned as multipurpose mega-scale dam?
(ii) Why was it opposed by the villagers?
(iii) Name the organisations which led the movement against this project.
(iv) What was the main demand of the local activist group?
Answer:
(i) Sardar Sarovar Project has been mentioned as a multipurpose project because it has been constructed to fulfil various purposes, such as irrigation, hydel power etc. It has been called mega-scale dam because it influences lives of lakhs of people.
(ii) It was opposed by the villagers because in the process of construction of the dam 245 villages from the concerned states were expected to get submerged.
(iii) Narmada Bachao Aandolan (NBA) led the movement against this project.
(iv) Initially they demanded proper and just rehabilitation but later shifted towards, total opposition to the demand.
Question 3.
Answer the following questions based upon the following Press Report:
‘Bharatiya Kisan Union wants agriculture out of WTO purview’ By our Staff Correspondent. Mysore, 15th February. The Bharatiya Kisan Union has warned of socio-economic upheavals in the country if India does not bargain to keep agriculture out of the purview of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief of the Union, Mahender Singh Tikait and its National Coordinating Committee Convener, M. Yudhveer Singh warned of impending dangers if India goes ahead and agrees to the stipulations of the WTO in the next round of meetings scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in November. Courtesy. The Hindu, 16th February, 2005. (All India 2009)
(i) What is BKU?
(ii) Why is it against the WTO?
(iii) What dangers are anticipated for Indian agriculture from the WTO?
Answer:
(i) Bhartiya Kisan Union is an organisation of farmers from Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana regions.
(ii) It is against WTO because BKU doesn’t want the International laws to control the India farmers. Condition of Indian farmers is different from farmers of others countries.
(iii) Dangers to withdrawal of subsidies from agriculture and patent laws are anticipated for Indian agriculture from the WTO.
Map-Based Question
Question 1.
In the given political map of India, four places are marked as A, B, C and D. Identify them with the help of information given below and write their correct names in the answer-book along with their serial numbers and the alphabets concerned. (All indin 2014)
(i) The state-related to Chipko Movement.
(ii) The state where a special opinion poll was held asking people to decide if they wanted to merge with Maharashtra or remain separate.
(iii) The state out of which the States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were created.
(iv) The state-related to Narmada Sagar Project.

Answer:
(i) Uttarakhand (B)
(ii) Goa (A)
(iii) Assam (D)
(iv) Gujarat (C)

Important Questions CBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements