1. INDIA: THE POLITICAL CHALLENGES BY: AMANDA WOOD, ANTHONY MASSE & HELEN BONGERS

2. INDIA’S GOVERNMENT 1949- Indian leaders gathered to write a constitution 7 Territories 25 States Federal and State Governments President appoints state governors

3. PARLIAMENT Based on British form of government President is head of state, but has little power Two house- Rayja Sabha= Council of State & Lok Sabha= House of People 18 years old to vote Symbols on ballots

4. PARLIAMENT ( CONT ’ D ) Congress Party was dominate Bharata Janata Party (BJP) – very strong political party 1990’s- BJP formed a coalition gov’t 1999- BJP hurt by Hindu extremists & faced challenges

5. “ DIVIDING AND UNIFYING FORCES” Forces threatened to break India apart More than a billion people suffer from unmet needs, poverty and illiteracy Untouchables- suffered & forced to live outside of society( outlawed discrimination against & untouchability illegal) 1990- gov’t increased number of jobs for untouchables

6. “ DIVIDING AND UNIFYING FORCES” ( SIKHS ) Sikhs- belief in one god & rejected caste system Didn’t receive large share of gov’t resources Wanted to break away & form own country 1984- occupied Golden Temple & refused to leave (Sikhs refused to leave)

7. “ DIVIDING AND UNIFYING FORCES” ( H INDU -M USLIM ) Muslims fled to Pakistan Fought over the city of Ayodhya -Muslim mosque -Hindu god’s birthplace 1992- Hindus attacked & many were killed 10 years later, Hindu temple started another attack & more than 600 Indians were killed

8. INDIA’S LEADERS Jawaharal Nehru- led 17 years & wanted to make India an industrial nation Calmed religious outbreaks Helped resettle refugees from Pakistan Set up programs for schools Economic Development

9. INDIA’S LEADERS ( CONT ’ D ) 1996- Indira Gandhi ( daughter of Nehru) Economic Woes Corruption Charges 1975- Gandhi tries to jail opponents & limit freedoms 1984- Ordered gov’t troops to storm Golden Temple 1985- Gandhi’s Sikh bodyguards shot & killed her Rajiv Gandi (Gandhi’s son)- prime minister 1991- murdered by Tamil guerrillas

10. POLITICS TODAY IN INDIA Rayiv Gandhi’s death- ended political dynasty BJP has had several coalition governments BJP prime ministers: - deal w/ scandals involving gov’t officials - balanced the rival demands of political parties