Choose the correct option from the following:
(A) Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya became states in 1972 while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were given statehood in 1987.
(B) The movement of 'AASU' was against illegal immigration, dominance of Bengali and other people and enrolment of lakhs of immigrants in voter list.
(C) 'North decreases everyday, south increases day by day' was a popular slogan of the Dravidian movement.
(D) 'Operation Blue Star' was launched by the Government of India in December 1986.

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (A) and (B)
Explanation:
→ Statement (A) is accurate. Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya became states in 1972, while Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were granted statehood in 1987. This reflects the gradual process of state formation in India during the post-independence period.
→ Statement (B) is also accurate. The AASU (All Assam Students' Union) movement in Assam was against illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh. The movement protested the dominance of Bengali-speaking people in Assam and the enrolment of immigrants in the voter list, which was seen as compromising the rights of the indigenous Assamese population.
→ Statement (C) is associated with a phrase used in the Dravidian movement, but it does not reflect a popular slogan historically linked with the movement. The Dravidian movement, especially in Tamil Nadu, focused on issues such as linguistic rights, regional autonomy, and opposition to Hindi imposition, rather than this particular slogan.
→ Statement (D) is not accurate as Operation Blue Star was launched in June 1984, not in December 1986. This operation aimed to remove militant Sikh groups, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, which had been turned into a base of operations by these militants.
Information Booster:
→ The creation of new states in India was influenced by various factors, including regional demands for cultural recognition, ethnic diversity, and political considerations.
→ The AASU movement, while initially a student-led movement, gained widespread support in Assam due to growing concerns over the impact of illegal immigration and its effect on the local demographic and political landscape.
→ The Dravidian movement, primarily in Tamil Nadu, was centered around advocating for the rights of Tamils and challenging the hegemony of Hindi and Northern political power, which led to significant social and political changes in the state.
→ Operation Blue Star was a significant event in Indian history, leading to widespread political and social repercussions. It was meant to address the armed militant occupation of the Golden Temple, but it also deepened the divide between the Indian government and the Sikh community.
→ The creation of states like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in 1987 was part of addressing ethnic and regional concerns, particularly in the northeastern states, which had experienced unrest and demands for autonomy.