Describe any four circumstances that led to protests against the Congress Government during 1974-1975.
Ans.
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Economic Issues: High inflation and economic hardships, exacerbated by the oil crisis of 1973, led to widespread dissatisfaction among the populace. Rising prices of essential commodities and unemployment fueled public discontent, prompting protests against the Congress government’s economic policies.
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Agricultural Unrest: Farmers faced challenges due to inadequate support prices for their crops, land reforms, and unequal distribution of resources. Agricultural communities protested against government policies they perceived as unfavorable, such as the abolition of the Zamindari system and the implementation of Green Revolution strategies, leading to agrarian unrest in various parts of the country.
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Labor Strikes: Industrial workers staged strikes and protests against poor working conditions, low wages, and labor rights violations. Discontent among labor unions was fueled by issues such as factory closures, layoffs, and the government’s failure to address workers’ grievances. The widespread labor unrest posed a significant challenge to the stability of the Congress government.
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Political Dissent: Opposition parties and political activists criticized the Congress government for authoritarian tendencies, erosion of democratic institutions, and suppression of dissent. Calls for greater political freedom, electoral reforms, and accountability resonated among civil society groups, leading to protests and demonstrations against perceived government excesses and abuse of power.
