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The first democratic elections were held in 1974 in Sikkim.

Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at the conference of Akali Dal at Anandpur Sahib in 1973: 

(a) To ascertain regional autonomy and to redefine center-state relations. 

(b) Sikhs aspirations aimed at ‘bolbala’ of Sikhs. 

(c) It could also be interpreted as a plea for separate sikh nation despite federal spirit. 

But, it became controversial due to following reasons: 

1. Due to lack of popularity of Akali Dal resolution had a United appeal. 

2. Akali government was dismissed in 1980 and it lost its importance. 

3. Akali Dal launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab, and its neighbouring states. 

4. Movement went into the hands of extremist elements from moderate Akalis and converted into armed insurgency for which Anandpur Sahib Resolution considered responsible.

Anandpur Sahib Resolution was passed at the conference of Akali Dal at Anandpur Sahib in 1973: 

(а) To ascertain regional autonomy and to redefine center-state relations. 

(b) Sikhs aspirations aimed at ‘bolbala’ (dominance) of Sikhs. 

(c) It could also be interpreted as a plea for separate Sikh nation despite federal spirit. 

But, it became controversial due to the following reasons: 

1. Due to lack of popularity of Akali Dal resolution had a United appeal. 

2. The alkali government was dismissed in the 1980s it lost its importance. 

3. Akali Dal launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab and its neighboring states. 

4. The movement went into the hands of extremist elements from moderate Akalis and converted into armed insurgency for which Anandpur Sahib Resolution considered responsible.

The Anandpur Sahib Resolution asserted regional autonomy and wanted to redefine centrestate relationship in the country. The resolution also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh qaum (community or nation) and declared its goal as attaining the bolbala (dominance or hegemony) of the Sikhs. The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation. The resolution had a limited appeal among the Sikh masses.

(i) The Akali government lost its importance and was dismissed in 1980s.

(ii) It launched a movement on the distribution of water between Punjab and its neighbouring states.

(iii) The movement slowly went from the moderate Akalis to the control of the Extremists and got converted into an armed insurgency for which the Anandpur Sahib Resolution was held responsible.

After 1948, there were a lot of political changes in Kashmir. Sheikh Abdulla became the new Prime Minister and he made efforts regarding land office and public welfare. But because of the differences between him and the central government, his government was dismissed and he was taken under house arrest. No powerful leader emerged after him till 1974 and political power went under the Congress. This was followed by a settlement between him and Indira Gandhi that he would be reinstated as the Prime Minister of Kashmir which he was in 1974. After his death, his son Farooq Abdullah came to power and became the Prime Minister. (The head of the government in the state was then called Prime Minister.)

Separatism means demanding separate/independent status from the parent body. In Kashmir, separatist politics began in 1989.

The Kashmir problem can be seen from the following three angles:

(i) Those who want a separate Kashmiri nation.

(ii) Those who want to merge with Pakistan.

(iii) Those who want greater autonomy for the people of the state within the Indian Union.

(i) The movement for secession in the Mizo Hills area gained popular support because some Mizos believed that they were never a part of British india and, therefore, did not belong to the Indian Union. The movement for secession gained popular support after the Assam government failed to respond adequately to the great famine of 1959 in Mizo hills.

(ii) To resolve the problem, an agreement was signed by founder and leader of Mizo national front, Laldenga and the Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1986.

In 1959, a great famine struck in Mizo hills. The Assam Government failed to respond adequately to the famine. Due to that, the Mizo Movement for secession gained popular support.

Laldenga was the leader of the Mizo National Front.

Seven small states were created because:

(i) They were created for economic development of the region.

(ii) Due to socio-cultural issues.

(ii) Due to popular demand of the people.

Despite reorganization of North-East in 1972, autonomy demand arose:

1. Assam communities like Bodos, Karbis, and Mimosas demanded separate states. 

2. They mobilized public opinion and popular movement and same area were claimed by more than one community. 

3. Federal set up satisfied their autonomy i.e. Karbis and Mimosas were granted autonomy under district councils while Bodos were granted autonomous council.

Assam Accord could not solve the problem of immigration: 

1. The issue of outsiders’ continues to be an alive issue. 

2. In Tripura, the original inhabitants have been reduced to being a minority in North-East. 

3. The same feelings formed the hostility of local population to Chakma refugees in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Because: 

1. It was against outsiders to maintain cultural integration of Assam. 

2. There were widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam, despite the existence of natural resources like tea, coal, and oil. 

3. It was felt that these were drained out of state without any commensurate benefit to the people.

On the issue of regional autonomy for Kashmir, the following positions are states as: 

1. Kashmiris were promised to make accession on a reference of people after the situation created by tribal invasion, becomes normal. But it has not been fulfilled, hence, it generated the demand for “Plebiscite”. 

2. Sometimes, it was felt that special federal status guaranteed by Article 370 has been eroded practically which led the demand for restoration of autonomy or “Greater State Autonomy”. 

3. It is felt that democracy, which is practiced in rest of India has not been similarly institutionalized in Jammu and Kashmir. 

We prefer the first position because ‘Plebiscite’ provides the better opportunity to people of J & K to protect and sustain their regional autonomy in a very democratic manner.

Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya were separate princely states, which later united with India.

Imbalance in the field of economic development gives rise to regionalism.

Regionalism is about giving importance to the people living in a particular area, their culture, language and their rights etc. whereas isolationism is an inspiration of making a region into an independent nation.

It is mainly a theory or practice of regions rather than central systems of administration or economic, cultural, or political affiliation. Here regionalism implies expression of regional aspirations and regional identity like North Eastern states.

In 1967 in the case of Goa’s liberation: 

1. In January 1967, the central government held a special ‘Opinion Poll’ in Goa asking people to decide if they wanted to be a part of Maharashtra or remain separate. 

2. The majority was in favor of remaining outside of Maharashtra, thus Goa became a Union territory. 

3. Goa was granted statehood in 1987.

1. All Assam Students’ Union (AASU).

2. Because they feared that they would reduce the indigenous Assamese into a minority.

3. (i) There was widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam despite the existence of natural resources like oil, tea, and coal.

    (ii) It was also felt these were drained out of state without any commensurate benefit to people.

Seven small states were created in North-East India because of demands for 

(i) autonomy 

(ii) movements for secession and 

(iii) opposition to outsiders.

All Assam Students’ Union in 1979 (AASU).

The problem of the foreigners would be resolved and a ‘Golden Assam’ would be formed.

All Assam Student Union (ASSU) led the movements against the foreigners in Assam in 1979.

India adopted a democratic viewpoint on this as democracy could accommodate regional aspirations on political front. Due to this, regionalism would not be considered against the nation. Formation of parties, regional identity, aspirations, and fighting for specific regional issues are some of the rights given by the democracy. Due to this, the regions get strengthened and there are regional aspirations. The region highlight their issues to the government and an action is taken accordingly

Despite reorganisation of North-East in 1972, autonomy demand arose. Assam communities like Bodos, Karbis, and Dimosas demanded separate states. They mobilised public opinion and popular movement and same area was claimed by more than one community. Federal set up satisfied their autonomy i.e. Karbis and Dimosas were granted autonomy under District Councils while Bodos were recently granted autonomous council.

The region of North East is different from the rest of its regions. It has a low economy compared to other parts of India. It also has a complex culture. This region has the longest International borders of India and a lot of movements take place here demanding independent nation. That is why it is known as a sensitive region.

A small corridor of about 22 kms connects the North East region to the rest of the country. Otherwise, the region shares boundaries with China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

i. Goa was under colonial rule since the 16th Century. During their rule, the Portuguese suppressed the people of Goa, denied them of civil rights and carried out forced religious conversions. 

ii. After independence in Goa also, there was a strong movement for freedom, which was strengthened by satyagrahis from Maharashtra. 

iii. In December 1961, the Indian Government sent the army which liberated Goa, Daman and Diu and it was made a Union Territory. 

iv. One section of the people of Goa desired that Goa, as a Marathi speaking area should be merged with Maharashtra but many Goans were keen to retain a separate identity and culture, particularly the Konkani language.

v. The Central Government held a special opinion poll in Goa asking people to decide about their choice. 

vi. A referendum – like procedure was used. The majority of the people decided to remain separate, i.e., outside Maharashtra. Thus Goa continued as a Union Territory. Finally in 1987, Goa became a State.

The regions of South India, mainly Tamil Nadu protested on not making Hindi its national language.

Names of the three social and political regions of the Northern most state of India—

(i) Jammu 

(ii) Kashmir 

(iii) Ladakh

The Kashmir issue was the main issue between India and Pakistan.

The three social and political regions of the Northern most State of India.- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

After Independence, the Mizo hills was made an autonomous district within Assam. Some Miozs believed that they were never a part of British India and not to the Indian Union. The movement of secession gained popular support after Assam government failed to respond to the great famine of 1959 adequately. It led to formation of Mizo National Front (MNF) under the leadership of Laldenga. In 1966, the MNF started an armed campaign for independence. After the struggle of two decades, Mizoram under the leadership of Laldenga started negotiations with the India. Indian government which led to a peace agreement between Laldenga and Rajiv Gandhi. According to it, Mizoram was granted full fledged statehood with special powers and MNF agreed to give up secessionist struggle.

Goa and Daman and Diu were the two regions under the colonial rule since 16^th century.

Marathi and Konkani are the languages spoken in Goa.

Laldenga was the leader of Mizo National Front, which started an armed campaign for independent nation. Some Mizos believed that they were never a part of British India and did not belong to India. At the end in 1986, a peace-agreement was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and Laldenga, which granted statehood to Mizoram with special powers and MNF agreed to give up secessionist struggle.

Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh regions.

a. Rio Summit - 1992 

b. Kyoto Protocol  - 1997 

c. Copenhagen Conference - 2009

‘Operation Blur Star’ was an army action in the Golden Temple, Amritsar to flush out the militants. This operation damaged the historical temple and hurt the sentiments of Sikh community because they saw military action as an attack on their faith.

ASSU was a student organisation in Assam. It was an independent organisation and did not support any political party. Their main demand was to deport the foreigners, who migrated into Assam during and after Bangladesh war. Their fear was that they would reduce the indigenous Assamese into a minority.

Regional aspirations are also part of democratic politics. Expression of regional issues is not an abnormal aspect. Nations like Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have regional aspirations in United Kingdom. Regional aspirations are responded through democratic negotiations and not suppression. Example of it can be seen in the 80s, with the military eruption in Punjab, students agitated in North-East and Kashmir had movements and protests. Mizoram is an example where political negotiations were made to settle the issue of separation.

It was during the 1980s that many regions of the country were demanding autonomy which led to many movements, agitations and protests against the Indian government. Soon some of the movements became violent. The government took strict measures to suppress these movements due to which the political and electoral process got against it.

‘Operation Vijay’ is associated with the integration of a state Goa in the Indian union.

The phase of autonomy.

In their opinion, India would not sustain as one nation for a long time.

Raja Harisingh

After the defeat of Akali Dal in the 1980 elections, the supporters of Akali Dal began a protest against the Central government.

Their demands were as follow:

i. The regions that spoke Punjabi should be included in Punjab.

ii. Chandigarh to be made the capital of Punjab.

iii. The Bhakra Nangal Project should be taken over by Punjab.

iv. Industrialisation should begin in Punjab.

v. All the gurudwaras of the country should get under AJPT organisation.

At the time of Independence, Sikkim was a ‘protectorate’ of India.

Partition, displacement, integration of princely states and reorganisation of states like Jammu and Kashmir.