In the same passage on the Uniform Civil Code, choose the correct verb phrase to complete "the women movement __________ and debated the desirability and feasibility of a Uniform Civil Code".

Introduction / Context:
This cloze question focuses on the correct tense form in a sentence that describes a long and continued activity. The sentence refers to the women movement and its debate about a Uniform Civil Code over many decades. Choosing the correct verb phrase requires understanding both the time reference already present in the passage and the typical use of perfect tenses in English to link past activity with the present moment.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The time phrase For nearly eight decades has already been used before this clause. - The subject is the women movement. - The verb phrase must express discussion and debate continuing up to the present. - The options are discussed, has discussed, had discussed, and had been discussing.

Concept / Approach:
English uses the present perfect tense to describe actions that began in the past and continue to have relevance in the present. In the sentence For nearly eight decades, the movement has discussed and debated the desirability and feasibility of a Uniform Civil Code, the present perfect has discussed is appropriate because the debate started long ago and is implied to continue or at least still matter today. Simple past discussed would place the action in a finished past, and past perfect forms would require a further reference point in the past, which is not present here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the time phrase For nearly eight decades, which suggests a period continuing up to now. Step 2: Test simple past discussed: For nearly eight decades, the movement discussed and debated. This sounds as if the debate is over. Step 3: Test present perfect has discussed: For nearly eight decades, the movement has discussed and debated. This indicates ongoing relevance and fits naturally. Step 4: Test past perfect had discussed: This would require another past time reference, such as before independence, but the sentence does not include such a marker. Step 5: Test past perfect continuous had been discussing: This again needs a specific later past event for contrast, which is absent. Step 6: Conclude that has discussed is the only option that matches both grammar and meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can compare with typical sentences: For many years, activists have demanded reform. For several decades, scientists have studied climate change. In both examples, the present perfect expresses long duration leading up to the present. Replacing have demanded with demanded would change the nuance. In the passage, the author wants to stress that the debate on the Uniform Civil Code is not just a closed chapter but a continuing issue. Therefore, the present perfect form has discussed and debated is the most accurate choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, discussed, is wrong because simple past does not reflect the ongoing relevance suggested by for nearly eight decades. Option C, had discussed, is wrong because the past perfect tense normally links one past action to an even earlier one, which is not the case here. Option D, had been discussing, is wrong because it implies that the continuous action of discussing had finished before another past point that the passage does not mention.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes pick the past perfect forms simply because they sound more complex or advanced. However, advanced exams reward accurate use of tense rather than unnecessary complexity. Whenever a sentence presents a long duration up to the present without a contrasting later past event, the present perfect is the natural choice. Noticing the phrase for nearly eight decades is the key signal that points towards has discussed rather than pure past forms.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is has discussed.