Mains Daily Question
Jan. 20, 2021

  1. Examine how the legacy of the national movement helped shape the programmes and policies in post-independence India.

 

Approach

  • In Introduction, mention the long-drawn freedom struggle and key ideals involved in it.

  • Discuss the legacy of freedom struggle and link it with different policies adopted by new independent India - welfare state, unity in diversity, Secularism, Foreign policy etc.

  • Conclude appropriately 

Model Answer

Indian freedom struggle was fought on the ideals of peace, democracy, equality of caste, class, religion etc, and mass support. Experiences and philosophy during our freedom struggle became an integral part of design on policies and programs of subsequent governments and the legacy has continued even today as shown below:

  1. Universal Adult Franchise: Long experience of political participation of common masses in freedom struggle and maturity shown esp. during the last phase convinced our policy makers to introduce Universal adult Franchise.

  2. Fundamental Rights and Civil liberties: The Karanchi Resolution 1931 guaranteed rights of free expression of opinion and freedom of association.

  3. Secularism: With experience of British policy of divide and rule based on religion and subsequent communal violence, our leaders unhesitatingly supported ideas of secularism and policy of freedom of religion.

  4. Pro-poor policies: Our freedom struggle had a pro-poor orientation. For eg. Economic critique by Dadabhai Naoroji emphasised the relation between colonialism and poverty. With arrival of Gandhiji, removal of abject poverty became a goal of independence. Therefore, our policy makers have shown a socialist tilt as seen in Land reforms, Economic Policies like state run heavy industries etc.

  5. Unity in Diversity: Freedom struggle saw participation of people from different cultures, sect, religion and region. Therefore, there was a deliberate attempt to ensure unity in diversity as seen from the Official Language Act, Reorganisation of states and Tribal policies.

  6. Foreign Policy: Suffering from colonialism for over two decades, India took an anti-colonial stance in its foreign policy. It provided support towards decolonization in Indonesia, Congo, Vietnam As a propounder of peace, India has always shown respect for international laws and organisations. Eg. UN peacekeeping force deployed in Suez Crisis etc.

Therefore, the ideals and legacy of freedom movement have served as the guiding light for our policy makers. Even today, India stands in support of democracy, tolerance, equality, civil liberties and world peace.

Subjects : Modern History
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