Notes Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Introduction to the 1990s Political Landscape in India

• Key Questions: The chapter opens with questions on coalition politics, Mandalisation, the Ramjanambhoomi movement, and new policy directions. These reflect major changes in political representation, economic policies, and secularism.
• Background: The period marks a shift from the Congress-dominant system, resulting in new political alignments and challenges to democracy.

Decline of Congress and Rise of Coalition Politics

• 1989 Elections: Congress lost its dominance, receiving only 197 seats, marking an end to what was known as the ‘Congress system.’
• Coalition Governments: Following the 1989 elections, coalitions like the National Front emerged with support from contrasting groups like the BJP and the Left Front. This coalition model has remained significant in Indian politics ever since, leading to an era of multi-party participation.

Mandal Commission and Caste-Based Politics

• Mandal Commission Report (1990): Recommended 27% reservations in central government jobs for OBCs, sparking intense debate and protests.
• Impact on Politics: The Mandal issue heightened awareness among OBCs, leading to new political alignments and the rise of caste-based political mobilizations.
• Court Decision: The Supreme Court’s decision in the Indira Sawhney case upheld the OBC reservations, solidifying caste-based reservation policies.

Economic Liberalisation and New Economic Policies

• Economic Reforms (1991): Marked by structural adjustments and liberalisation initiated under Prime Minister Narsimha Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, redirecting India towards a market-driven economy.
• Public Response: While widely implemented, these policies were controversial, facing opposition from movements and unions concerned with economic inequality and job security.

Era of Multi-Party System and Electoral Alliances

• Fragmentation of Political Parties: The weakening of Congress dominance led to increased influence for regional and state-level parties, making coalition governments the norm.
• United Front and NDA Governments: These coalitions illustrated the shifting political landscape where parties formed alliances based on pragmatic interests rather than ideology.

Rise of the BJP and Ideological Shift in Indian Politics

• BJP’s Growth Post-Emergency: Initially adopting a platform of ‘Gandhian Socialism,’ the BJP moved towards Hindutva, drawing support through Hindu nationalist appeals.
• Electoral Successes: By the late 1990s, the BJP emerged as a key player, forming the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, focusing on coalition stability.

Consensus on Economic and Social Policies

• Broad Agreement Across Parties: Most political parties began supporting economic liberalisation, acceptance of reservations for OBCs, and recognition of state-level parties’ roles.
• Coalition Politics and Pragmatism: Coalitions shifted political focus from strict ideology to practical governance, encouraging compromise and power-sharing across diverse political groups.

Challenges to Indian Democracy and Future Directions

• Communal Tensions and Secularism: Events like the Ayodhya demolition and Gujarat riots (2002) raised concerns about communal harmony and the secular framework of India’s democracy.
• Ongoing Issues: Despite coalition stability, India faces challenges related to poverty, social justice, and balancing economic growth with inclusivity, as highlighted by popular movements advocating for social security and democratic rights.

Political Transitions and Key Questions of the 1990s

• Major Concerns: The chapter emphasizes fundamental changes like coalition politics, the influence of caste in politics (Mandalisation), the role of religious identity (Ramjanambhoomi movement), and new economic policy directions.
• Implications: These shifts introduced lasting debates on democracy, secularism, and economic strategies, raising questions about India’s political future and the impact on citizen representation.

Rise of the Mandal Commission and Caste-Based Politics

• Background and Recommendations: The Mandal Commission, originally set up in 1979 under Prime Minister Morarji Desai, recommended 27% reservation in central government jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). These recommendations were implemented by the National Front government in 1990, led by Prime Minister V. P. Singh.
• Political and Social Repercussions: This decision led to widespread protests and intensified the debate on caste-based reservations. While it mobilized OBCs politically, it also created a divide, with some groups fearing reverse discrimination.
• Legal Resolution: The Supreme Court upheld the reservation policy in the Indira Sawhney case (1992), which became a landmark judgment solidifying affirmative action in government jobs and educational institutions.

Economic Liberalisation and Structural Reforms (1991)

• Economic Shift: Led by Finance Minister Manmohan Singh under Prime Minister Narsimha Rao, the reforms marked a departure from the Nehruvian socialist model to a liberalised, market-oriented economy. This included reducing government control, promoting private sector participation, and opening the economy to foreign investment.
• Mixed Reactions: The reforms were credited with accelerating growth, but they faced criticism from those who feared it would increase inequality and reduce job security for the working class. Despite resistance, successive governments continued these policies, reflecting a broad, cross-party consensus on liberalisation.

Religious Identity in Politics and the Ayodhya Dispute

• The Babri Masjid Issue: A 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, believed by some to be built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, became a focal point of the BJP’s Hindutva movement. The 1986 court decision allowing Hindus to pray at the site heightened communal tensions.
• Demolition of Babri Masjid (1992): Thousands of kar sevaks (volunteers) gathered, leading to the mosque’s demolition on December 6, 1992. This event caused nationwide communal riots and marked a turning point in the secular-versus-communal debate in India.
• Aftermath and Secularism Debate: The central government dismissed BJP-led state governments and launched a judicial inquiry. The incident intensified discussions about India’s commitment to secularism and whether the state could maintain religious neutrality.

Dalit Empowerment and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

• Formation of BAMCEF and BSP: The Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) and subsequently the BSP, led by Kanshi Ram, emerged as movements aiming to empower the Bahujan (SC, ST, OBC, and minorities) against upper-caste dominance.
• Electoral Success in Uttar Pradesh: The BSP found substantial support, especially among Dalits in Uttar Pradesh. By focusing on the idea of political power as a means to social equality, the BSP reshaped Indian politics, emphasizing representation for historically marginalized communities.

Emergence of Multi-Party System and Coalitions

• Rise of Regional Parties: Following the Congress’ decline, regional parties like DMK, AIADMK, TDP, SP, and BSP gained significant traction, altering the political landscape. This resulted in coalition governments at the center, where regional demands became central to governance.
• National and United Front Governments: Between 1989 and 1999, governments were formed by alliances like the National Front and United Front, with support from major parties such as the Congress and BJP. This created a fluid political landscape where alliances were formed less on ideology and more on pragmatism to keep either the Congress or BJP from securing power alone.

Growth of BJP and Ideological Shifts

• Post-Emergency Evolution: The BJP initially struggled electorally but gained momentum by aligning with Hindutva principles, advocating Hindu nationalism, and supporting the Ram temple movement.
• NDA Government Formation: BJP’s first successful coalition came with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 1998, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The NDA remained in power till 2004, representing a right-leaning coalition with pragmatic rather than purely ideological unity.

Consensus on Key Political and Economic Issues

• Economic Liberalisation: Despite ideological differences, most major parties embraced economic liberalisation, acknowledging it as a pathway to global economic status.
• Support for OBC Representation: Reservations for OBCs in jobs and education became widely accepted across the political spectrum, with all major parties endorsing affirmative action.
• Role of Regional Parties: The importance of regional parties in national governance became evident, as they consistently influenced policy and coalition stability.
• Shift to Pragmatic Alliances: Political focus shifted from ideological purity to practical alliances, enabling power-sharing even among ideologically diverse parties within coalitions like the NDA and UPA.

Challenges and Ongoing Issues in Democracy

• Communalism and Secularism Concerns: Events like the anti-Sikh riots (1984), Babri Masjid demolition (1992), and Gujarat riots (2002) raised ongoing concerns about communal harmony, secularism, and the use of religious sentiments in politics.
• Future Directions: Issues of social justice, economic disparity, and democratic representation continue to shape India’s political discourse. Grassroots movements persist in raising demands for policies that address poverty, labor rights, and caste and gender equality, highlighting an evolving but resilient democratic framework.