CBSE Class 10 Social Science Popular Struggles and Movements Assignment Set B

Establishment of democracy in Nepal

Meaning of the word democracy : – Democracy is the govt of the people, for the people and by the people.

The aims of movement for democracy in Nepal : The Nepalese movement for democracy arose with the specific objectives of reversing the kings orders that led to suspension of democracy.

– Democracy established in Nepal in 1990.
– King Birendra accepted it.
– King Gyanendra the new king of Nepal was not prepared to accept democratic rule after the death of king Birendra.
– The king dismissed the popularly elected Parliament.
– The movement of April 2006 was aimed at regaining popular control over the govt from the king and establish democracy means the govt of the people. All the major parties of parliament formed a seven party alliance. (SPA) and called for a four day strike in Kathmandu, the country’s capital.
– On 21st April the protestors served an ultimatum to the king.
– 24th April 2006 was the last day of the ultimatum, the king was forced to concede all the demands.
– The SPA choose Girija Parasad Koirala as new Prime Minister of the interim govt. The parliament passed laws taking away most of the powers of the king. This struggle came to be known as Nepal’s second movement for democracy.

Question. Which one of the following was the main aim to start movement in April 2006, in Nepal?
(a) To control over government
(b) To snatch power from the king
(c) To restore democracy
(d) To dethrone the king

Answer: C

Question. What was the main reason of Bolivia’s Water War? Choose the most appropriate answer from the following.
(a) Privatisation of water supply
(b) Irregular water supply
(c) Supply of poor quality water
(d) An increase in water price by four times.

Answer: D

Question. Which one of the following was the main aim of the movement in Nepal in 2006?
(a) To reduce the power of the king.
(b) To re-establish democracy in Nepal.
(c) To promote one party rule.
(d) To stop military coup.

Answer: B

Very Short answer Type Question

Question. How can democratic reforms be carried out by politically conscious citizens?
Answer: Democratic reforms can be carried out by politically conscious citizens by participating in the electoral process. One can become a candidate in an election. In addition to that one should vote for only upright candidates who have agendas in the national interest.

Question. Name any one political party of India which grew out of a movement.
Answer: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is a political party in India which grew out of a movement.

Question. Explain one difference between pressure group and a political party.
Answer: A political party refers to a voluntary organized group of dedicated individuals with similar political ideology. They nominate the candidate, contest elections and become part of the government.
Pressure groups are a collection of like-minded people, who come together to promote or defend a common cause, by continuously striving to influence the decision of the government.

Question. What was the main aim of the popular movement of April 2006, in Nepal?
Answer: The main aim of the popular movement of April 2006 in Nepal was restoring democracy.

Question. What was the main role of ‘FEDECOR’ organisation in Bolivia?
Answer: The protest against water privatization in Bolivia was led by FEDECOR and it made the government concede to all the demands of the protesters.

Question. Who formed a Seven Party Alliance (S.P.A.) in Nepal?
Answer: The political parties formed Seven Party Alliance. It was a coalition of seven Nepali political parties seeking to end autocratic rule in the country. They spearheaded the Loktantra Andolan.

Question. Who dissolved the popularly elected parliament in February 2005, in Nepal?
Answer: In February 2005, the king dismissed the then Prime Minister and dissolved the popularly elected Parliament. King Gyanendra, the new king of Nepal, was not prepared to accept democratic rule.

Question. Which organisation led the protest against water privatisation in Bolivia?
Answer: The protest against water privatization in Bolivia was led by FEDECOR. This organization was comprised of local professionals, including engineers and environmentalists.

Question. How do pressure groups form?
Answer: Pressure groups are formed when people with common occupation, interest, aspirations, or opinions come together in order to achieve a common objective, at times forcing government to fulfil their wishes.

Question. Give an example of ‘pressure group’ of India which functions as a branch of political party.
Answer: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad functions as a branch of political party Bhartiya Janta Party.

Question. How do pressure groups and movements strengthen democracy?
Answer: They raise the democratic consciousness of the people.

Question. Describe the three major demands put forward by the Seven Party Alliance in Nepal.
Answer: People demanded restoration of parliament, power to an all-party government a new constituent assembly and removal of all the restrictions that were imposed on them.

Short answer Type Question

Question. Analyse the role of popular struggles in the development of democracy.
Answer: A number of factors contribute to the smooth functioning of the democracy. It includes public participation, and pressure groups participation also.
The struggles in Nepal and Bolivia were aimed at different causes; but they were popular struggles which caught the attention of the people.
1. The Nepalese struggle was carried out by the people in restoring democracy while the struggle in Bolivia was against privatization and subsequent increase in prices of water after the government sold the rights to an MNC.
2. Both these instances involved political conflict that led to popular struggles. In both the cases, the struggle involved mass mobilization and public protests and demonstrations.
3. These two instances reflect the values that democracy upholds. The power of popular struggles and the urge to bring about a change is its most important element. Public participation, mass mobilization and the political organizations are the important elements through which democratic movements take place.

Question. What inspiration do we get from Bolivia’s popular struggle? Explain any three values that we can learn from it.
Answer: Bolivia is a poor country in Latin America where government had sold the rights of water supply for the city of Cochabamba to a multi- national company. The company immediately increased the price of water four times. This led to a spontaneous protest from the people and ultimately made the government concede to all the demands of the protesters. This success of the popular struggle reminded us about power of the people.
From this movement we get inspiration that unity of common men can overcome the big problems in our life.
Three values related with this popular struggle are
(i) Democratic right to form association
(ii) Unity of voice against unjust policies
(iii) Achieve collective goal

Question. How are popular struggles integral to the working of democracy? Explain with an example of Bolivia’s struggle against privatisation of water.
Answer: People’s successful struggle against privatization of water in Bolivia reminds us that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy.
Bolivia is a poor country in Latin America. The World Bank pressurized the government to give up its control of municipal water supply.
The water distribution was handed over to an MNC.
The company immediately increased the price of water by four times. This led to spontaneous popular protests as the water cost began to make a dent in the household budget of the people.
An alliance of labor, human rights and community leaders organized a four day strike which was called off after the government agreed to negotiate. It was due to such protests by the people that the MNC contract was cancelled and the municipal water supply was restored at old rates.

Question. “The popular struggles are integral to the development of democracy.” Analyse the statement.
Answer: (i) Popular movements deepen democracy as they ensure greater participation of people through meetings and processions, making people more aware and vigilant.
(ii) They help in the due representation and accommodation of diverse interests.
(iii) They put pressure on the government, making it more accountable and responsive to the needs of the people.
(iv) They raise the democratic consciousness of the people to fight in the spirit of democracy. For example, the movement in Nepal was to establish democracy, while the struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected, democratic government. Both these are instances of political conflict that led to popular struggles. In both cases the struggle involved mass mobilization.

Question. How has the struggle of the Nepali people become a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world? Explain.
Answer: Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006, which aimed at restoring democracy. This struggle is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world.
All major political parties in the Parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called for a four day strike in Kathmandu, the country’s capital.
This protest soon turned into an indefinite strike in which Maoist insurgents and various organizations joined hands.
People defied curfew and took to the streets. They demanded restoration of parliament, power to an all-party government and a new constituent assembly.
As a result, on 24 April 2006, that is, the last day of the ultimatum, the king was forced to concede all the demands of people and democracy was restored.

Question. Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in a variety of ways? Explain any four ways.
Answer: Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in a variety of ways.
(i) They try to gain public support and sympathy for their cause by carrying out information campaigns, organizing meetings, filing petitions, etc.
(ii) By organizing strikes and disruptions, they seek to make the government take note of their demands.
(iii) They also influence decision-making by lobbying.
(iv) The issues raised by them often influence the policies of political parties.

Question. Describe the popular struggle of Bolivia.
Answer: (a) People’s struggle against privatization of water in Bolivia proves that struggles are integral part of Democracy.
(b) The World Bank pressurized the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The government sold these rights to a multinational company which increased the price of water by four times. Many people received monthly water bill of rupee 1000/- in a country where average incomes are around 5000/- a month.
(c) In January 2000, a new alliance of labor human rights and community leaders organized a successful four day strike.
(d) The government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off, however no action was taken.
(e) The police resorted to brutal repression when the agitation started in February. In April the government imposed martial law because of the agitation.
(f) But the protests forced the officials of the MNC to flee the city and made the government concede to all the demands of the protesters.
(g) The contract with MNC was cancelled and the water supply was restored with the Municipality at old rates.
This popular struggle came to be known as ”Bolivia’s Water War.”

Question. Differentiate between Nepal’s Movement and Bolivia’s popular struggle.
Answer: (A) The movement in Nepal was a claim of an elected democratic government to restore itself; whereas in Bolivia it was against a particular issue of huge price rise for water, an essential commodity.
(B) The movement in Nepal was against the king whereas it was against the government in Bolivia. Both these are instances of political conflict led to popular struggles.
(i) In both cases, the struggle involved mass mobilizations and public demonstration of mass support that solved the dispute.
(ii) Both instances involved the critical role of political organization.

Question. “The struggle of the Nepali people is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world.” Support the statement.
Answer: Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006, which aimed at restoring democracy. This struggle is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world.
All major political parties in the Parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called for a four day strike in Kathmandu, the country’s capital.
This protest soon turned into an indefinite strike in which Maoist insurgents and various organizations joined hands.
People defied curfew and took to the streets. They demanded restoration of parliament, power to an all-party government and a new constituent assembly.
As a result, on 24 April 2006, that is, the last day of the ultimatum, the king was forced to concede all the demands of people and democracy was restored.