India Terms

Operation Blue Star**

- Operation Blue Star was the code name of an Indian military action carried out between 1 and 8 June 1984 to remove militant religious leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers from the buildings of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar, Punjab. - The decision to launch the attack rested with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. - In July 1982, Harchand Singh Longowal, the President of the Sikh political party Akali Dal, had invited Bhindranwale to take up residence in the Golden Temple Complex to evade arrest. - Bhindranwale later made the sacred temple complex an armoury and headquarters. - In the violent events leading up to Operation Blue Star since the inception of Akali Dharm Yudh Morcha, the militants had killed 165 Hindus and Nirankaris, and 39 Sikhs opposed to Bhindranwale. - The total number of deaths was 410 in violent incidents and riots while 1,180 people were injured. - Indian intelligence agencies had reported that three prominent heads of the Khalistan movement - Shabeg Singh, Balbier Singh, and Amrik Singh - had made at least six trips each to Pakistan between the years 1981 and 1983. - The Intelligence Bureau reported that weapons training was being provided at gurdwaras in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. - The Soviet intelligence agency KGB reportedly tipped off the Indian agency RAW about the CIA and ISI working together on a plan for Punjab. - From its interrogation of a Pakistani Army officer, RAW received information that over a thousand trained Special Service Group commandos of the Pakistan Army had been dispatched by Pakistan into the Indian Punjab to assist Bhindranwale in his fight against the government. - A large number of Pakistani agents also took the smuggling routes in the Kashmir and Kutch region of Gujarat, with plans to commit sabotage. - On 1 June 1984, after negotiations with the militants failed, Indira Gandhi ordered the army to launch Operation Blue Star. - A variety of army units and paramilitary forces surrounded the temple complex on 3 June 1984. - The army used loudspeakers to encourage the militants to surrender. - Requests were also made to the militants to allow trapped pilgrims to come out of the temple premises, before the clash with the army. - However, no surrender or release of pilgrims occurred until 7:00 pm on 5 June. - The army had underestimated the firepower possessed by the militants, whose armament included Chinese-made rocket-propelled grenade launchers with armour piercing capabilities. - Casualty figures for the Army were 83 dead and 249 injured. - According to the official estimates, 1,592 militants were apprehended and there were 493 combined militant and civilian casualties. - High civilian casualties were attributed to militants using pilgrims trapped inside the temple as human shields. - The military action in the temple complex was criticized by Sikhs worldwide, who interpreted it as an assault on the Sikh religion. - Five months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated in an act of revenge by her two Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh. - Public outcry over Gandhi's death led to the killings of more than 3,000 Sikhs in the ensuing 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Golden Temple*

A sikh temple located in Punjab The holliest and most important pilgrimage site of sikhism Its called the Golden Temple in English because it is plated with gold Operation Blue Star happened here Importance: Was repeatedly built by sikhs after it became a target of persecution and was destroyed many times bu Muslim armies from Afghanistan. Blue star happened here Bhindranwale and sikh militants took over the mosque and Indira Ghandi authorized the Indian army to take out the militants Led to her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards

V.P. Singh

Becomes the PM of BJP and communist coalition in 1989 Known as "Mr. Clean" Finance Minister under Rajiv Ghandi Fired as minister, quit party, joined communist/BJP alliance, became Prime Minister, lost vote of confidence. Importance: Affirmative action- more jobs for those in lower castes Affirmative action led to riots and polarization Led to government crashing Also remembered as anti-corruption crusader

L.K. Advani

Biography: An Indian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister under Vajpayee. The Deputy Prime Minister position was created just for him Hard-line RSS supporter Tries to reconnect BJP supporters with RSS supporters Importance: His goal is to redefine BJP as a Hindu party Ran along moderate in order to win moderate votes on more aggressive agendas Represented fundamentalist faction In recent years, has been sidelined Credited with making the BJP powerhouse because of religion

A.B. Vajpayee

Biography: RSS member that formed the BJP An Indian statesman who served three terms as the Prime Minister of India He was the first Indian Prime Minister that was not a member of the Indian National Congress party to serve a full term In the late 90s, was Prime Minister for 13 days Importance: Was a representative of the moderate form of the BJP Died two years BJP kept market reforms and stayed moderate socially Kargil attack happened during an election and he kept calm This increased trust for the BJP Gov failed to win under a vote of no confidence in 1999

Sonia Gandhi**

Biography: Was married to Rajiv Ghandi and daughter-in-law to Indira Ghandi. She was born in Italy and raised in a Roman Catholic household and never converted to Hinduism. She refused to go into politics for a while after her husbands death. Ended up retiring in 2018 as the president of the Indian National Congress. Importance: Under her leadership, the Congress went on to form coalitions with other center-left political parties. Has been credited for being instrumental in the formation of the United Progressive Alliance When Congress-I comes to power, causing a surprise loss for the BJP, she steps back and lets someone else become Prime Minister Has been described as one of the most powerful politicians in the country, and is often listed among the most powerful women in the world.

Indian National Congress**

Founded in 1885, was the first nationalist movement to emerge in the British empire in Asia and Africa The Nehru-Ghandi party Split into Congress-I and Congress-S, syndicate slowly faded away Centre-left policy goals Formed before independence as an NGO to protect Indians from the British

Sardar Patel

He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. He was the Congress party leader and was active in the Indian Independence movement. He was an influential leader because he struck deals and was able to do so peacefully He organized the party elections in 1934 and 1937. He was often called the "Iron man of India." He was responsible for integrity of the Indian territory. Was to the center-right of politics and became the voice of the business community. He played a key role in the integration of more than 500 princely states into the Indian federation. He organized relief efforts for refugees fleeing Punjab and Delhi.

Ayodhya

Mosque Location of site BJP wants to build their temple on 1992 it was destroyed in riots by the BJP and RSS Supposedly where Lord Rama was born Lead to the works Hindu-Muslim riots since the partition Importance: Think temple was broken into by Muslims leading to the destruction of the mosque Being litigated in courts The riots led through India, many died, mostly Muslim Compare and contrast current day issue regarding Taj Majal (Muslim building claiming to be built by Hindus (false)

Emergency Rule**

- "the Emergency" refers to a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had a state of emergency declared across the country. - Officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution because of the prevailing "internal disturbance", the Emergency was in effect from 25 June 1975 until its withdrawal on 21 March 1977. - The order bestowed upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be suspended and civil liberties to be curbed. - For much of the Emergency, most of Gandhi's political opponents were imprisoned and the press was censored. - Several other human rights violations were reported from the time, including a forced mass-sterilization campaign spearheaded by Sanjay Gandhi, the Prime Minister's son. - The Emergency is one of the most controversial periods of independent India's history. - The final decision to impose an emergency was proposed by Indira Gandhi, agreed upon by the president of India, and thereafter ratified by the cabinet and the parliament (from July to August 1975), based on the rationale that there were imminent internal and external threats to the Indian state.

Mandal Commission**

- Efforts to develop some version of affirmative action for India's "untouchables" and depressed classes began in various parts of British India during the nineteenth century. - After India became independent in 1947, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, spokesperson for India's "untouchables" and an architect of India's Constitution, made certain that the Constitution abolished "untouchability" and provided political and economic benefits for "scheduled castes" and "scheduled tribes." - India's Constitution also authorized the state to make special provisions "for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens."

Bahujan Samaj Party**

- Is a national political party in India. - By vote share in the 2014 general election, it is India's third-largest national party, though it did not win any seats in the Lok Sabha. - It was formed to represent Bahujans (literally "people in majority"), referring to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes (OBC), along with religious minorities. - According to Kanshi Ram, when he founded the party in 1984, the Bahujans comprised 85 percent of India's population, but were divided into 6,000 different castes. - The party claims to be inspired by the philosophy of Gautama Buddha, B. R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Narayana Guru, Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj.[10] Kanshi Ram named his protégée Mayawati as his successor in 2001. - The BSP has its main base in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. - In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections, BSP was the second-largest party, with over 22% of votes despite winning only 19 seats. - It has an elephant as its election symbol. - The BSP has no separate youth wing ; instead at least 50 percent of its organizational structure is from the youth. - BSP has no social media accounts or website. - Sudhindra Bhadoria, a senior party leader, is the only official spokesperson of the BSP. - Jyotirao Phule, an Indian activist, thinker, social reformer from Maharashtra. He fought for the eradication of untouchability and the caste system, women's emancipation and the reform of Hindu family life. - He also formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) to attain equal rights for peasants and people from lower castes. - B. R. Ambedkar, chief architect of Indian Constitution and first law minister of India who campaigned against untouchability, caste system and also campaigned for the rights of women and laborers. - Narayana Guru (ca. 1854 - 20 September 1928), was a social reformer of India. - He was born into a family of the Ezhava caste in an era when people from such communities, which were regarded as Avarna, faced much injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala. - He led a reform movement in Kerala, rejected casteism, and promoted new values of spiritual freedom and social equality. - Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, an Indian social activist, freedom fighter and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement. - He is known as the 'Father of modern Tamil Nadu'. He has done exemplary works against Brahminical dominance, caste prevalence and women oppression in Tamil Nadu. - Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj was of Indian princely state of Kolhapur. - He worked tirelessly for the cause of the lower caste subjects in his state. - Primary education to all regardless of caste and creed was one of his most significant priorities.

Bangalore

- Is the capital city of the Indian state of Karnataka. - It has a population of over ten million, making it a megacity and the third most populous city and fifth most populous urban agglomeration in India. - It is located in southern India on the Deccan Plateau at an elevation of over 900 m (3,000 ft) above sea level, which is the highest among India's major cities. - It reflects its multi-religious and cosmopolitan character by its more than 1000 temples, 400 mosques, 100 churches, 40 Jain derasars, three Sikh gurdwaras, two Buddhist viharas and one Parsi fire temple located in an area of 741 km² of the metropolis. - The religious places are further represented to include the few members of the Jewish community who are making their presence known through the Chabad that they propose to establish in Bengaluru and the fairly large number of Bahá'ís whose presence is registered with a society called the Bahá'í Centre. - In 1537 CE, Kempé Gowdā - a feudal ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire - established a mud fort considered to be the foundation of modern Bengaluru and its oldest areas Or Petes which exist to the present day. - After the fall of Vijayanagar empire in 16th Century, the Mughals sold Bangalore to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (1673-1704), the then ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore for three lakh rupees. - When Haider Ali seized control of the Kingdom of Mysore, the administration of Bangalore passed into his hands. - It was captured by the British East India Company after victory in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799), who returned administrative control of the city to the Maharaja of Mysore. - Following India's independence in 1947, Bangalore became the capital of Mysore State, and remained capital when the new Indian state of Karnataka was formed in 1956. - The two urban settlements of Bangalore - city and cantonment - which had developed as independent entities merged into a single urban centre in 1949. - The existing Kannada name, Bengalūru, was declared the official name of the city in 2006. - Bengaluru is sometimes referred to as the "Silicon Valley of India" (or "IT capital of India") because of its role as the nation's leading information technology (IT) exporter. - Indian technological organisations ISRO, Infosys, Wipro and HAL are headquartered in the city. - A demographically diverse city, Bangalore is the second fastest-growing major metropolis in India. - Bengaluru has one of the most highly educated workforces in the world. - It is home to many educational and research institutions in India - Numerous state-owned aerospace and defence organisations, such as Bharat Electronics, Hindustan Aeronautics and National Aerospace Laboratori

Kargil

- The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. - It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. - It is located 60 km and 204 km from Drass and Srinagar to the west respectively, 234 km from Leh to the east, 240 km from Padum to the southeast and 1,047 km from Delhi to the south.

Khalistan

- a Sikh nationalist movement that wants to create an independent state for Sikh people, inside the current north-western Republic of India. - Such a state existed in Punjab from 1709 to 1849 and Western India. - Its stated capital would be Amritsar, a city where a Sikh empire was commenced by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and ruled for centuries by his descendants. - Khalistan has many groups such as the Khalistan Liberation Force and other groups, such as Babbar Khalsa. - On April 12, 1980, Jagjit Singh Chauhan, a prominent supporter of the movement, declared that he had formed the National Council of Khalistan, at Anandpur Sahib. - He said he was the President of organisation, and Balbir Singh Sandhu was its Secretary General. - In May 1980, Chauhan travelled to London and announced the formation of Khalistan.

Backward Castes*

- a collective term used by the Government of India to classify castes which are educationally or socially disadvantaged. - It is one of several official classifications of the population of India, along with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs). - In the Indian Constitution, OBCs are described as "socially and educationally backward classes", and the Government of India is enjoined to ensure their social and educational development - for example, the OBCs are entitled to 27% reservations in public sector employment and higher education. - Likewise, in 2015, at educational institutes, funds meant for OBC students under the reservation policy were not used properly or were underused in cases of upgrading infrastructure as well as in violation of faculty recruitment of OBCs according to the 27% reservation policy. - The Backward Classes Division of the Ministry looks after the policy, planning and implementation of programmes relating to social and economic empowerment of OBCs, and matters relating to two institutions set up for the welfare of OBCs, the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation and the National Commission for Backward Classes.

Babri Mosque

- a mosque in Ayodhya, India. - Located in Faizabad district, it was one of the largest mosques in the Uttar Pradesh state. - Before the 1940s, the masjid was officially known as Masjid-i-Janmasthan ("the mosque of the birthplace"). - According to the mosque's inscriptions, it was built in 1528-29 (935 AH) by Mir Baqi, on orders of the Mughal emperor Babur. - The mosque was located on a hill known as Ramkot ("Rama's fort" - The political, historical and socio-religious debate over the history of the site and whether a previous temple was demolished or modified to create the mosque, is known as the Ayodhya dispute. -Starting in the 19th century, there were several conflicts and court disputes between Hindus and Muslims over the mosque. - On 6 December 1992, the demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalist groups triggered riots all over India, killing around 2,000 people, many of them Muslim.

Azad Kashmir

- a nominally self-governing jurisdiction administered by Pakistan. - The territory lies west of the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, and was part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. - Azad Kashmir is part of the greater Kashmir region, which is the subject of a long-running conflict between Pakistan and India. - The territory shares a border with Gilgit-Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organisations as "Pakistan administered Kashmir". - The territory also borders Pakistan's Punjab province to the south and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to the west. - To the east, Azad Kashmir is separated from the state of Jammu and Kashmir by the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan. Azad Kashmir has a total area of 13,297 square kilometres (5,134 sq mi), and a total population of 4,045,366 as per the 2017 Census. - The territory has a parliamentary form of government modeled after the Westminster system, with its capital located at Muzaffarabad. - The President is the constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister, supported by a Council of Ministers, is the chief executive. - The unicameral Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elects both the Prime Minister and President. - The state has its own Supreme Court and a High Court, while the Government of Pakistan's Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan serves as a link with Azad Kashmir's government, although Azad Kashmir is not represented in the Parliament of Pakistan. - The 2005 earthquake killed 100,000 people and left another three million people displaced, with widespread devastation. - Since then, with help from the Government of Pakistan and foreign donors, reconstruction of infrastructure is underway. - Azad Kashmir's economy largely depends on agriculture, services, tourism, and remittances sent by members of the British Mirpuri community. - Nearly 87% of the households own farms in Azad Kashmir, while the region has a literacy rate of approximately 72% and has the highest school enrollment in Pakistan.

Dalits*

- a term mostly used for the ethnic groups in India that have been kept depressed by subjecting them to untouchability (often termed Scheduled castes). - Dalits were excluded from the four-fold varna system of Hinduism and were seen as forming a fifth varna, also known by the name of Panchama. - Dalits now profess various religious beliefs, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity. - As per the latest census, they comprise 16% of India's population (200 million people). - The term dalits was in use as a translation for the British Raj census classification of Depressed Classes prior to 1935. - It was popularised by the economist and reformer B. R. Ambedkar (1891-1956), who included all depressed people irrespective of their caste into the definition of dalits. - Hence the first group he made was called the "Labour Party" and included as its members all people of the society who were kept depressed, including women, small scale farmers and people from backward castes. - New leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar subscribe to this definition of "dalits", thus a Brahmin marginal farmer trying to eke out a living, but unable to do so also falls in the "dalit" category. - India's National Commission for Scheduled Castes considers official use of dalit as a label to be "unconstitutional" because modern legislation prefers Scheduled Castes - They comprise 16.6 per cent of India's population, according to the 2011 Census of India. - Similar communities are found throughout the rest of South Asia, in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and are part of the global Indian diaspora. - the Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced the reservation of seats for the Depressed Classes, now renamed as Scheduled Castes. - From soon after its independence in 1947, India introduced a reservation system to enhance the ability of Dalits to have political representation and to obtain government jobs and education. - In 1997, India elected its first Dalit President, K. R. Narayanan. - Many social organisations have promoted better conditions for Dalits through education, healthcare and employment. - Nonetheless, while caste-based discrimination was prohibited and untouchability abolished by the Constitution of India, such practices are still widespread. - To prevent harassment, assault, discrimination and similar acts against these groups, the Government of India enacted the Prevention of Atrocities Act, also called the SC/ST Act, on 31 March 1995. - In accordance with the order of the Bombay High Court, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B Ministry) of the Government of India issued an advisory to all media channels in September 2018, asking them to use "Scheduled Castes" instead of the word "Dalit".

RSS**

- also called Rashtriya Seva Sangh, organization founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889-1940), a physician living in the Maharashtra region of India, as part of the movement against British rule and as a response to rioting between Hindus and Muslims. - Hedgewar was heavily influenced by the writings of the Hindu nationalist ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and adopted much of his rhetoric concerning the need for the creation of a "Hindu nation." - Hedgewar formed the RSS as a disciplined cadre consisting mostly of upper-caste Brahmins who were dedicated to independence and the protection of Hindu political, cultural, and religious interests. - The RSS presents itself as a cultural, not a political, organization that nevertheless advocates a Hindu nationalistic agenda under the banner of hindutva, or "Hindu-ness." - The group is structured hierarchically under the guidance of a national leader, while regional leaders are charged with overseeing the local branches. - A major emphasis is placed on dedication and discipline, both mental and physical, as a means to restore strength, valor, and courage in Hindu youth and to foster unity among Hindus of all castes and classes. - Paramilitary training and daily exercise and drills are part of this discipline. - The RSS reveres Hanuman (in Hindu mythology, the commander of the monkey army) and in the organization's early years made him the centre of its initiation ceremony. - The RSS has historically played a major role in the Hindu nationalist movement. - On several occasions it has been banned by the Indian government, led by the Congress Party, for its alleged role in communal violence. - Some of the major political leaders of India's Bharatiya Janatā Party were or still are members of the RSS.

Anti-Defection Bill

- amended in 1985 to prevent political defections and stop politicians from changing parties for the lure of office. Anti-Defection law bans legislators from jumping parties.

Samajwadi Party

- is a political party in India headquartered in New Delhi. - It is a state party based in Uttar Pradesh, it describes itself as a democratic socialist party. - The Samajwadi Party was one of several parties that emerged when the Janata Dal (People's League) fragmented into several regional parties. - The Samajwadi Party is led by former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav after he was chosen the President by the National Convention held on 1 January 2017. - The Samajwadi Party is primarily based in Uttar Pradesh State. - It has contested Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections around the country, though its successes have been mainly in Uttar Pradesh. - In the 2012 legislative assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh, SP registered a landslide victory with a clear majority in the House, thus enabling it to form the government in the state. - This was expected to be the fifth term of Mulayam Singh Yadav as Chief Minister of state, but he surprised everyone by selecting his son, Akhilesh Yadav, to be the new chief minister (the youngest ever). - It became official on 15 March. It was also the first time that SP was head of the UP government for a full term of 5 years.

Hindutva

- is the predominant form of Hindu nationalism in India. - Some left-leaning Indian social scientists have described the Hindutva movement as far-right, adhering to the concept of homogenised majority and cultural hegemony but some other Indian social scientists dispute this description. - In 2017, related to a plea to minimize electoral malpractices in terms of religion, the Supreme Court of India declined to reconsider its 1995 judgment that defined Hindutva as "a way of life and not a religion".

BJP***

- one of the two major political parties in India, along with the Indian National Congress. - As of 2018, it is the country's largest political party in terms of representation in the national parliament and state assemblies, and it is the world's largest party in terms of primary membership. - BJP is a right-wing party, and its policy has historically reflected Hindu nationalist positions. - It has close ideological and organisational links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). - The BJP's origin lies in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, formed in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mukherjee.[ - After the State of Emergency in 1977, the Jana Sangh merged with several other parties to form the Janata Party; it defeated the incumbent Congress party in the 1977 general election. - After three years in power, the Janata party dissolved in 1980 with the members of the erstwhile Jana Sangh reconvening to form the BJP. - Although initially unsuccessful, winning only two seats in the 1984 general election, it grew in strength on the back of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. - Following victories in several state elections and better performances in national elections, the BJP became the largest party in the parliament in 1996; however, it lacked a majority in the lower house of Parliament, and its government lasted only 13 days. - After the 1998 general election, the BJP-led coalition known as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed a government that lasted for a year. - Following fresh elections, the NDA government, again headed by Vajpayee, lasted for a full term in office; this was the first non-Congress government to do so. - In the 2004 general election, the NDA suffered an unexpected defeat, and for the next ten years the BJP was the principal opposition party. - Long time Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi led it to a landslide victory in the 2014 general election. - Since that election, Modi has led the NDA government as Prime Minister and as of February 2019, the alliance governs 18 states. - The official ideology of the BJP is "integral humanism", first formulated by Deendayal Upadhyaya in 1965. - The party expresses a commitment to Hindutva, and its policy has historically reflected Hindu nationalist positions. - The BJP advocates social conservatism and a foreign policy centred on nationalist principles. -Its key issues have included the abrogation of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the building of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and the implementation of a uniform civil code. - However, the 1998-2004 NDA government did not pursue any of these controversial issues. It instead focused on a largely liberal economic policy prioritising globalisation and economic growth over social welfare.

Mayawati

Biography: An Indian politician who spent four terms as chief minister of Utar Pradesh She is the President of the BSP Has aspirations to make BSP the national party Her rise from humble beginnings has been called a "miracle of democracy" by the former Prime Minister of India. Importance: Under her leadership the UP got Dalits to state government Castes politics is central in UP Marked new era that they could form the government These tenures did not improve their standard of living due to corruption Her party is associated with corruption and criminality

Manmohan Singh***

Biography: He was an economist and was elected minister of finance during the bankruptcy. He served as Prime Minister twice after Sonia Ghandi left Is a Sikh and showed that India was making progress in recognizing minority groups Was seen as political He was a safe choice to choose to run because he could not win elections. He was not a threat to others Importance: Under his administration, India drops import substitution and move towards market reform Had progress on the land acquisition bill in 2013 Struggled to enact further development oriented liberalization due to coalition politics Credited as father of reforms even if he never wins elections

Jawaharlal Nehru**

Biography: He was the first Prime Minister of Independent India. he was the successor of Ghandi and led the Indian National Congress which opposed the British Congress under his leadership won the elections in 1937. He established secularism in India. He promised a referendum to Kashmir, although it never happened Important because: Under his leadership, the Congress dominated national and state-level politics winning consecutive elections in 1951, 1957 and 1962. He was key in drafting the constitution which formed a program of economic, social, and political reform. He was also key in the consolidation of the territory. He established the mixed economy which they still have.

P.V. Narasimha Rao

Biography: Indian lawyer and politician who served as 9th prime minister of India The first non-Ghandi to lead the Congress After he serves a full term as a Prime Minister he never serves again Is the Prime Minister during the financial crisis and hired Singh to help with economic reforms Importance: Under his tenure, they faced the financial crisis and moved toward reforms Chose the bureaucrat to run reforms and gets credit for this Was Prime Minister when the babri mosque riots happened. He did little to nothing to stop the rioting from happening

Rahul Gandhi

Biography: Is an Indian politician from the Nehru-Ghandi family He is the son of Rajiv and Sonia Ghandi. Is the president of the Indian National Congress Was originally seen as hope to revive congress but he failed. He was not charismatic or genuine. Importance: There were major allegations of corruption against the Ghandi family during this time He never beat the BJP He was never taken seriously and is in power because of his last name. Still isn't established as a genuine political leader Is mostly a disappointment to most, is not respected.

Mahatma Gandhi

Biography: Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian Independence. He was the party leader of Congress-I the leading party at the time. He wanted India to be sets of self-sufficient villages He ran peaceful demonstrations in order to curb oppression by British forces He was known as the "father of the nation." He was assassinated by Hindu fundamentalists. Important because: He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He was a lawyer who made his reputation by going to South Africa and fighting racism by white South Africans. After his return in 1915 he organized peasants, farmers, and urban laborers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination. After assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, he led nationwide campaigns for various social causes.

Rajiv Gandhi

Biography: Was an Indian politician who served as the 6th Prime Minister of India He took office after the 1984 assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi, to become the youngest Indian Prime Minister at the age of 40. Was part of the powerful Nehru-Ghandi family While campaigning for the elections, he was assassinated by a suicide bomber Importance: He won his brother's Parliamentary seat and became a member of the lower house of India's Parliament. Rajiv was made a general secretary of the Congress party and given significant responsibility in organising the 1982 Asian Games. His leadership was tested over the next few days as organised mobs rioted against the Sikh community, resulting in riots in Delhi. That December, Congress party won the largest Lok Sabha majority to date, 411 seats out of 542.

Kashmir**

Province that is geographically located and shared between India and Pakistan. Was Muslim Majority with a Hindu king When India gained independence the king couldn't decide what to do Pakistan sent in soilders for rebellion and under pressure, the king signed with India for protection Importance: Only Muslim-Majority state in India For India, this demonstrates their secularism Pakistan wants to make Kashmir part of this so Pakistan can be only safe place for South Asian Muslims Part of Kashmir borders China Kashmir has suffered at the hands of all sides and have had little to no growth when it comes to violence

Indira Gandhi**

She was an Indian politician, stateswoman and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She is the daughter of Nehru. She was the only woman to serve as female Prime Minister of India. She served from 1966-1977. She again served from 1980 until she was assassinated. There were riots against sikhs after she was killed She was very autocratic, you couldn't go against her easily. She declared a state of emergency to preserve power. She split from syndicate, which lead to the formation of Congress-I. She went to war with Pakistan in support of the independence movement. She also didn't want the public to believe she thought the Sikhs were a threat so she kept her Sikh bodyguards, and they ended up killing her.

Bhindranwale**

Was a militant leader of the Sikh organization and leader of the Khalistan movement. He symbolized resistance to political oppression inflicted upon the Sikh minority. The Sikh's highest authority describe him as a 'martyr' but most Indians view him as a terrorist. When operation blue star was carried out by the Indian army to remove him from office he was killed in the process. He was responsible for a lot of violent deaths, and used violence to create security issues and political instability. In the late 70's Indira Ghandi's Congress party supported him in a bid to gain Sikh votes. Increased the level of rhetoric on the perceived "assault" on Sikh values by the Indian state. Was responsible for the Sikh militancy launching