Question

Describe any four developments after 1989 that had a long lasting impact on Indian politics.

Hint:

Think of the 1989 defeat of the Congress, the Mandal Commission, the 1991 economic reforms and the Ayodhya events. Explain four of them in a few lines each.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the question:
We must describe any four developments after 1989 that left a long lasting mark on Indian politics. The year 1989 is a turning point, so we pick events which changed the party system, social politics, the economy and religion in politics.

Step 2: Development 1 - Defeat of the Congress and the coalition era:
In the 1989 election the Congress lost its majority and no party won a clear mandate. This ended the long phase of Congress dominance. Coalition governments became common at the Centre after that.

Step 3: Development 2 - Mandal Commission and OBC politics:
In 1990 the National Front government decided to accept the Mandal Commission report. It gave 27 percent reservation in central government jobs to the Other Backward Classes. This led to protests but also to a rise of OBC based politics.

Step 4: Development 3 - New economic policy:
In 1991 the government of P.V. Narasimha Rao began economic reforms. It moved towards liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation. Later governments of all parties continued these policies.

Step 5: Development 4 - Ayodhya dispute and communal politics:
The Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was demolished on 6 December 1992. This led to communal tension and riots in many places. It also changed the political scene, with the BJP growing as a major national force.

Final Answer:
The end of Congress dominance with coalition governments, the Mandal decision, the economic reforms of 1991 and the Ayodhya events are four developments after 1989 which had a long lasting impact on Indian politics.