Question 13DiscussGS1GS1
India's territorial disputes after independence were not merely about borders, but also encompass issues of national identity, historical grievances, and geopolitical strategies. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
Introduction
Post-independence the question of division of Indian states and its basis became a pertinent one, complicated further by differing views of IVP, Fazi Ali and other committees. Indian territorial disputes — encompassing national identity, historical grievances and geopolitical strategies —
40 words
Main Body
I. National Identity: (1) The issue of division based on language was not supported initially. (2) The focus was on securing the integrity and unity of India — not giving way to fissiparous tendencies. II. Historical Grievances: (1) The frontier states of North-east — geographical isolation — perceived neglect by the union. (2) Patti Srirameluseparate Andhra Statebackwards and neglect by earlier princely state. (3) Mumbai (BOMBAY) — dispute between Gujarat and Maharashtragrievance of capital concentration. (4) General of poverty and settlementdisparity of developmentcolonial legacy of developing coastal states/neglecting hinterland. III. Geopolitical Strategies: (1) As Louis Hilton writes in 'Rearming India' — border disputes are many of political bargaining. (2) Political venture — Belagavi Dispute b/n MH and KAR, since 1956 Mahajan report. (3) The issue of Orissa, Andhra border villages — vote banks for pushes on both sides. (4) The creation of new state of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand in 2000 — political strategies for assertion in elections. (5) The inclusion of Sikkim in 1976 — strategic move — geopolitically to counter China's five point policy.
3. The Khalistani separatist movement — was an assertion of separate identity. 4. Similarly, the earliest Dravidian movement — revoked to separating from union to create a Dravidian state. II. Historical Grievances [continued from previous]: 1. The frontier states of North-eastgeographical isolationperceived neglect by the union. 2. Patti Srirameluseparate Andhra Statebackwards and neglect by earlier princely state. 3. Mumbai (BOMBAY)dispute between Gujarat and Maharashtragrievance of capital concentration. 4. General of poverty and settlementdisparity of developmentcolonial legacy of developing coastal states/neglecting hinterland. III. Geopolitical strategies [continued]: 1. As Louis Hilton writes in 'Rearming India' — border disputes are many of political bargaining. 2. Political venture — Belagavi Dispute b/n MH and KAR, since 1956 Mahajan report. 3. The issue of Orissa, Andhra border villages — vote banks for pushes on both sides. 4. The creation of new state of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand in 2000 — political strategies for assertion in elections. 5. The inclusion of Sikkim in 1976 — strategic move — geopolitically to counter China's five point policy.
367 words1 paragraphs
Conclusion
The territorial disputes add new hinderance to the federal structure of India and constitutional methods should be employed to resolve them.
21 words
- Well-structured answer with clear categorization of causes
- Uses specific examples from different regions of India
- References historical committees and reports
- Identifies geopolitical dimension with reference to China policy
- Links colonial legacy to contemporary disputes
Topper
Kiran Kamate
AIR 53
Subject & Paper
GS1GS1
Topic
Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country
Territorial Reorganization and Disputes
National identity, historical grievances, and geopolitical strategies in territorial disputes
Writing Stats
428
Total words
1
Paragraphs