HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 115 : Model Answer

Question: What were the reasons behind the demand for ‘Greater Himachal’ after independence? Also describe the various features of politics in Himachal Pradesh. (20 Marks)

Understanding of question:

Directive         What: used to ask for information about people or things

Describe: Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why something happens

Introduction About Himachal Pradesh Politics

Main Body       DEMAND FOR GREATER HIMACHAL:

• References in Ancient Books
• Cultural Affinity
• Art and Architecture
• Economic Similarity
• Feeling of Exploitation
• Linguistic Affinity
• People’s Dream

FEATURES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH POLITICS

• Role of Religion, Caste and Communities
• Few Powerful Leaders
• Domination of few families in politics
• Domination of High Caste
• Importance of independent members in Legislature
• Feeling of Regionalism
• Factionalism
• Domination of Two Parties

Conclusion     No need

Answer:

Himachal’s quest for identity may be traced from the Ludhiana Session of the All-India People’s Conference, headed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1939.  The Praja Mandal leaders from Punjab Hill States had demanded that the Province of Himachal Pradesh be formed by integrating Punjab hill states and Garhwal and Jaunsar-Bawar area of the United Province, in it

DEMAND FOR GREATER HIMACHAL:

• References in Ancient Books: In several ancient Indian books the area has been described as one region. It was referred to as Himalaya comprising five parts, namely (i) Nepal; (ii) Kurmachal (present Kumaon); (iii) Kedar (present Tehri Garhwal); (iv) Jalandhar (present Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, Una, Kohistan areas and (v) Kashmir. The above-mentioned area have a continuous tradition since centuries which has not been disrupted by the onslaughts of foreign invasions and even by the British rule.
• Cultural Affinity: Tradition, customs, folk dances, fairs and festivals determine the cultural affinities of the area. From all these viewpoints a broad similarity is found right from the hills of Chamba town to Kumaon. The gods are same, the periods of fairs are the same, the folk dances are same as well as the customs of marriage, divorce, widow re-marriage, polyandry in the high hills are found somewhat uniform.
• Art and Architecture: There is similarity of art and architecture. In Kangra region a school of paintings grew up under Raja Sansar Chand. The paintings of this school are found right from Chamba and Basholi down to hills of Kumaon. It is really very strange that even in the absence of any means of communications, the same pattern of art travelled throughout the hills.
• Economic Similarity: There were economic similarities prevailing in the area. The nature of soil, climate, the means of communication are similar. The land in the hills requires greater labour. Because of the climatic similarity in different hill regions, similar types of agriculture produce was possible. The whole area looks for its economic progress towards the revival of horticulture and establishment of cottage industries. The general economic level of the people is same.
• Feeling of Exploitation: The weekly Janam Bhumi published from Dharamsala carried an article dated 27th August, 1949, ‘Hungry Paradise’ (Kangra) for ages remained bereft of boons on account of which other parts of the province had become opulent. Now the patience limit has been reached. The articles started appearing in various newspapers and journals, which highlighted the feelings of the people of the Pradesh. It was published that there is a deep impression among the inhabitants of these humble and backward hill areas that people from the plains come to their land and exploit them.
• Linguistic Affinity: There is a language affinity in whole of the area. In order to eradicate illiteracy and to secure cooperation of the people in administrative set up, it is necessary to use their language. It is with the usage of the mother tongue that the development in agriculture, horticulture and economy of the people would be possible.
• People’s Dream: The people of the Himachal Pradesh have been cherishing a dream of this big Himachal since long. To keep the areas of Kangra and Kullu as a part of Punjab is nothing but to follow the path laid down by the Britishers. Otherwise the desires of the people that Kangra should be a part of Himachal Pradesh and that it should not be used to divide Himachal into two parts will remain unfulfilled.

FEATURES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH POLITICS

• Role of Religion, Caste and Communities: The role of religion, caste and communities have been resorted to for support mobilization. However, all factors cannot be taken as decisive elements in Himachal politics. As Himachal Pradesh has one domination religion so therefore religious cards are not used by parties on large scale. However, we have seen domination of caste politics in Himachal Pradesh where each party try to balance caste dynamics during elections. Now popularity of leader and issues of governance, development, and livelihood have taken front seat in elections. Also, government employees’ associations and worker’s associations cannot be ignored by any political party.
• Few Powerful Leaders: On the issue of the selection of candidates for elections there was hardly any relation between the criteria developed in the organizational deliberations and the actual bases on which the candidates were selected. Loyalty invariably meant unconditional submission to the leader. Again, considerations of the caste composition of the constituency weighed heavily in fixing of the rival groups which had been to secure party tickets to its own supporters irrespective of their public image, work in the party, commitment to the party principles or the ability of the person concerned.
• Domination of few families in politics: The leaders of the party who enjoyed powers of allotting the party tickets have always acted on the presumption that the party label is for anyone to be successful in elections. Because of this the aspirants engaged themselves fully in carrying favour with the leaders rather than in attending to the problem of the constituency. Another noteworthy feature has been that in majority of the constituencies political power became the privilege of a few persons or members of a few families only. The system was deliberately perpetuated to such an extent that it was difficult for anyone else in the constituency to aspire for higher position to play a purposeful role.
• Domination of High Caste: In Himachal Pradesh politics so far, members of high castes have dominated the state politics. There is a growing feeling among the low caste people to free themselves from the dominance of these leaders and acquire political power.
• Importance of independent members in Legislature: From time-to-time independent members of the state Assembly have played an important role. The presence of such a large number of independents in the Assembly suggests that traditional influences like personal position, caste, religion and wealth still play an important role in body politics. In 1967 elections there were 16 independent MLAs.  In 1998 elections, independent MLA Ramesh Dhawala helped in formation of BJP government.
• Feeling of Regionalism: The feeling of regionalism has greatly dominated the state politics. While Congress has its hold in the upper areas, the lower areas of the state form the support base of the Bharitya Janta Party. The study of Himachal polities supports the hypothesis that, in the context of manifest regionalism electoral politics far from helping the process of political integration at the state and national level, only strengthens parochial forces thus hampering political development’.
• Factionalism: Politics in Himachal Pradesh is not free from factionalism. In fact since the beginning of politics in the state certain leaders encouraged factionalism which was weaved around their magnetic personalities. These factions have claimed that their differences are based on ideology but in reality they do not adhere to any principles scrupulously and frequently, reverse their stands on different issues.
• Domination of Two Parties: Since the 1990s, when this paradigm shift was thrust upon the state, no party i.e., the BJP or Congress, has been able to win the elections for two consecutive terms. There have been alternate governments either led by Congress or the BJP. Primarily, because with a continued period of intervention, a political consciousness is developed among the people. Factionalism in between the Congress and stronghold of RSS are responsible for the shift from one party domination to two party domination.