Sri Lanka Civil War, Belgian Model, and India’s National Movement

Posted on Dec 1, 2024 in History

Reasons for the Sri Lankan Civil War

The Sri Lankan Civil War stemmed from several key factors:

  1. Sinhala Only Act (1956): This act disregarded Tamil by recognizing Sinhala as the only official language.
  2. Preferential Policies: The government favored Sinhala applicants in university positions and government jobs.
  3. Constitutional Emphasis on Buddhism: The new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

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The Belgian Model of Power Sharing

The Belgian model is considered complex due to its innovative power-sharing arrangements, amended four times between 1970 and 1993 to address regional and cultural diversity. Key elements include:

  1. Equal Representation: The constitution mandates equal numbers of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government, preventing unilateral decisions.
  2. Decentralization: Significant powers are devolved to state governments, which are not subordinate to the central government.
  3. Separate Government for Brussels: The capital, Brussels, has a separate government with equal representation for both French and Dutch communities.
  4. Community Government: A third type of government, the ‘Community Government,’ is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, or German) and decides on cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

Impact of World War I on India’s National Movement

World War I significantly contributed to the growth of India’s National Movement:

  1. Increased Economic Hardship: War loans, increased taxes, and doubled prices caused extreme hardship for common people.
  2. Crop Failures and Food Shortages: Crop failures exacerbated the situation, leading to acute food shortages.
  3. Coercive Measures: The government’s coercive measures fueled widespread agitations.
  4. Rise of New Leadership: Unfulfilled hopes after the war led to the emergence of new leadership and modes of struggle.
  5. Growing Discontent: These factors combined to create widespread discontent and paved the way for the rise of nationalism.

Satyagraha Movements in India

Gandhi launched several key Satyagraha movements in India:

  1. Champaran Satyagraha (1916): Supported peasants against the oppressive plantation system in Bihar.
  2. Kheda Satyagraha (1917): Supported peasants in the Kheda district of Gujarat.
  3. Ahmedabad Satyagraha (1918): Supported cotton mill workers in Ahmedabad.

Opposition to the Rowlatt Act

The Rowlatt Act, which allowed detention without trial, faced strong opposition:

  1. Widespread Protests: Rallies, strikes, and closures of workplaces demonstrated public disapproval.
  2. Jallianwala Bagh Meeting: A peaceful protest meeting was held at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
  3. Gandhi’s Hartal: Gandhi initiated a hartal (general strike) against the unjust law.
  4. Arrests of Leaders: The arrests of Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew further fueled the protests, culminating in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

The Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement aimed to defend the temporal powers of the Khalifa, the spiritual head of Muslims:

  1. Post-War Concerns: Fears of a harsh treaty on the Khalifa after World War I led to the formation of a Khilafat Committee in Bombay in 1919.
  2. Alliance with Gandhi: Muslim leaders like the Ali brothers sought Gandhi’s support, which he saw as an opportunity to unite Muslims and Hindus in the national movement.