What traumatic event does Zitkala-Sa describe at the school?

The forcible cutting of her long hair

Why was the cutting of her hair so humiliating to Zitkala-Sa?

Among her people, shingled hair was worn by cowards and mourners

What were the five developments that reshaped Indian politics from the late 1980s?

The 1989 defeat of the Congress, the rise of the Mandal issue, the new economic reforms, the Ram Janmabhoomi/Ayodhya dispute, and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

What marked the end of the 'Congress system'?

The defeat of the Congress in the 1989 elections, after which it lost the central position it had earlier enjoyed in the party system.

What was the Mandal issue?

The dispute between supporters and opponents of OBC reservations after the National Front government decided in 1990 to implement the Mandal Commission's recommendation.

What did the Mandal Commission recommend?

It recommended reserving 27 per cent of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for the Other Backward Classes, along with measures like land reform.

Describe the era of coalition governments after 1989.

No single party won a clear majority until 2014; governments such as the National Front, United Front, NDA and UPA were coalitions in which regional parties played a crucial role.

Trace the emergence of the BJP as a significant force.

After the Jana Sangh merged with the Janata Party and then split, the BJP was formed in 1980, emphasised cultural nationalism and Hindutva, and grew through the Ayodhya and Shah Bano issues.

What was the political rise of the Other Backward Classes?

The Mandal debate made OBC communities more aware of their identity, leading to many parties that sought education, jobs and political power for the OBCs.

How was the Ayodhya dispute finally resolved?

Through democratic and legal procedures, the Supreme Court's constitutional bench gave a unanimous verdict on 9 November 2019 allotting the site for a Ram temple and land for a mosque.

What four elements make up the new political consensus?

Agreement on new economic policies, acceptance of the claims of the backward castes, acceptance of the role of state-level parties, and emphasis on pragmatic power sharing over ideology.

What role did the Bahujan Samaj Party play?

Founded by Kanshi Ram out of BAMCEF, the BSP sought political power for the bahujan and achieved a breakthrough among Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh in 1989 and 1991.

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Chapter 8: Recent Developments in Indian Politics

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The defeat of the Congress in 1989 marked the end of the:

Summary

This chapter takes a synoptic view of Indian politics since the late 1980s. Five developments reshaped politics: the defeat of the Congress in 1989, ending the 'Congress system'; the rise of the 'Mandal issue' as the National Front government implemented OBC reservations in 1990, triggering anti-Mandal protests; the new economic reforms or structural adjustment programme from 1991; the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and Ayodhya dispute, resolved by the Supreme Court's 2019 verdict; and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. The era of coalition governments began, with the National Front (1989), United Front (1996) and later the NDA and UPA, and regional parties gaining a central role, until the BJP won single-party majorities in 2014 and 2019. The political rise of the Other Backward Classes followed the Mandal Commission report and the Indira Sawhney case, while Dalit politics produced the Bahujan Samaj Party under Kanshi Ram. The BJP rose through cultural nationalism, the politics of Hindutva, the Shah Bano case and the Ayodhya issue. Despite intense competition, a broad consensus emerged among parties on new economic policies, acceptance of backward-caste claims, the role of state-level parties, and pragmatic coalition politics.

Key terms

Coalition government

A government formed by several parties together, which became the norm at the Centre after 1989.

Mandal issue

The dispute over implementing the Mandal Commission's recommendation of OBC reservations in central government jobs.

Other Backward Classes

Communities, other than SCs and STs, identified as socially and educationally backward.

Hindutva

The idea, popularised by Savarkar, of Indian nationhood based on a united national culture, pursued politically by the BJP.

New economic reforms

The structural adjustment programme begun in 1991 that liberalised the Indian economy.

Bahujan Samaj Party

The party founded by Kanshi Ram seeking political power for the bahujan — SC, ST, OBC and minorities.

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A government formed by several parties together, which became the norm at the Centre after 1989.

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