Topic-Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
1) In recent years, Indian political narrative has witnessed a marked shift in its stance towards the values of secularism, regionalism and federalism. Comment.(250 words)
Why this question
Although the article is highly subjective (and you are completely free to take whatever stance you want to take),it offers crucial insights into the realpolitik of present India. It also helps us understand the nature of Indian society, and how it associates itself with secularism, regionalism and federalism.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and discuss how the Indian political narrative has developed in the recent years and whether there is a marked shift in its stance towards the values of secularism, regionalism and federalism. We have to bring out reasons/ arguments/ facts in support of our answer and according form our opinion.
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an opinion thereupon. However our opinion must be backed with valid and proper arguments/ facts.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – write a few lines about the constitutional status of federalism and secularism, and their role alongwith regionalism in Indian politics( how significant they have been in shaping Indian political narrative).
Body–
Discuss how each of the three aspects- secularism, regionalism and federalism has shaped and in turn being shaped by the political narrative in India in recent years. E.g discuss the spurt in sporadic communal events and lack of political will to speak against/ or politicize the issue; decline in the political value of communal strategies; disaffection of Right-wing parties with the incumbent government; rising disaffection of the regional parties with the present party in power leading to regionalism; decline in the political clout of the Congress; issues affecting federalism like the terms of reference of the 15th finance commission, water disputes; special status of AP etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion form a fair and a balanced opinion on the issue.
