India: Government and Political Challenges

Chapter 9 Section 2

Indian Government

• Federal System: #1– power divided between central gov’t and state

gov’t– In India Federal gov’t more powerful than

state gov’t

Indian Government

• World’s largest democracy• Constitution (1950):

– individual rights and social services• Outlawed: Untouchability • Healthcare

• Federal Union of States– 28 states and 7 territories

• Parliamentary Democracy: #2– Form of government in which power lies in the hands

of the political party that wins the most seats in parliament

– Prime Minister: leader of political party wins majority

Indian Government

• 3 Branches of Government #3• Parliament Two houses: #3

– Council of State: members are chosen by the state legislatures:

• Upper House – Rajya Sabha

– House of the People: elected directly by the people – • Lower House – Lok Sabha

• Council of Ministers – Cabinet – executive powers

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=braches+of+gocernment+in+india&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=IrBsLyNDs7nfZM&tbnid=TgK7pF9gTfLmNM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usconsulate.org.hk%2Fpas%2Fkids%2Fbranches.htm&ei=zbqUUfDkK6v-4APtqIHgCQ&psig=AFQjCNFK9CLFV_X1jwUKDuw8Dlu3nM8B5A&ust=1368787998312209

Emblem of India

Dr. Manmohan SinghPrime Minister 2004INC

President Pranab MUKHERJEE (since 22 July 2012

Political Parties

• Many political parties: federal and state level– To represent the interests of different caste, language,

religious, or regional groups #4

• INC: dominated for years – party of independence #5

• BJP: Bharata Janata Party #5– Stressed Hindu Traditions– Coalition of opposition to INC

– Coalition: #6• If no party wins a majority of seats in parliament• Government in which several parties join to rule - issues

Dividing Forces #7

• Divisions:– Caste system– Cultural Diversity– Treatment of Sikhs and Separatism– Muslim-Hindu clashes – Modern nationality limited

Government Weakens the Caste System #8

• Obstacle to ModernizationObstacle to Modernization

• Outlawed Outlawed Untouchability - ConstitutionUntouchability - Constitution– Discrimination illegalDiscrimination illegal– Compensatory discrimination: quota system –

to help Harijans/Dalit (p.207)• Set aside openings for Untouchables

– Government, public jobs, education

– Still not fully accepted - Why?Still not fully accepted - Why?• gap between law and traditiongap between law and tradition

Unifying Forces #9

• Bonds: – Commitment to Democracy– Millions of Indians share a common faith– Hindu traditions create important ties for the

majority of Indians– Strong leaders

What force both divides and unifies the people of India? #10

• Religion

India’s Persecution of the SikhsIndia’s Persecution of the Sikhs

Punjab

Operation Blue Star June 1984 was an Indian military operation, ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India, under the pretext of removing Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The activists, led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, were accused of amassing weapons in the Sikh temple.

Indian Leaders

Nehru Family

• First Prime minister of India (1947-1964)– Ally of Gandhi

• Goal: to create a modern industrialized secular nation #11– casteless– Secular: without

official religion– socialism

Jawaharlal Nehru

Non-Alignment MovementNon-Alignment MovementNon-Alignment MovementNon-Alignment Movement

Nehru’s daughter.Nehru’s daughter. Prime Minister of Prime Minister of

India, 1966-1984.India, 1966-1984. Continues Nehru’s Continues Nehru’s

policies.policies. Faced corruption Faced corruption

charges & internal charges & internal rebellion.rebellion.

Assassinated in Assassinated in 1984 by Sikh 1984 by Sikh assassinassassin

Indira Gandhi Indira Gandhi #11#11Indira Gandhi Indira Gandhi #11#11

Indira’s son.Indira’s son. Prime Minister of Prime Minister of

India, 1984-1989.India, 1984-1989. Liberalization of the Liberalization of the

EconomyEconomy Also faced rebellion.Also faced rebellion. Assassinated in 1991 Assassinated in 1991

while campaigningwhile campaigning Show Assassination VideoShow Assassination Video

Rajiv Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi #11#11Rajiv Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi #11#11