Definition
- Regionalism in India refers to the strong attachment and loyalty that people feel towards their specific regions within the country.
Historical Traces
- The idea of regionalism emerges during colonial period due to British exploitative policies and disparities in development.
- South India
- In South India regional movement can be traced back to the 1940s Dravida Movement that started in the present day Tamil Nadu result in formation of Tamil Nadu.
- Inspired from Dravida Movement the agitation for separate state for Telegu speaking people begin in 1950 – 60 result in Andhra formation and state reorganisation committee are formed.
- North East India
- During the 1970s and 80s, the tribal insurgencies for separation and statehood in the northeastern region of India intensified and the Union government passed the North-eastern States Reorganisation Act, 1971 resulting in the formation of the northeast state by division of Assam.
State and UTs Formed after 2000 Based on Regional Aspiration
- It resulted in the formation of the three new states – Chhattisgarh out of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand out of Bihar and Uttarakhand out of Uttar Pradesh.
- In 2014, the state of Telangana was created by the division of Andhra Pradesh.
- On a linguistic basis, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh via the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
Factors of Regionalism
- Geographical Factors
- The geographical boundaries in India are closely linked to linguistic distribution, topography, and climate, leading to a territorial orientation among the inhabitants of a particular region.
- This induces a sense of regionalism in people based on their symbolic attachment to their region.
- For example – Northeast
- Historical and Cultural Factors
- Cultural heritage, folklore, myths, symbolism, and historical traditions contribute to regionalism by inspiring a sense of pride and identity among people of a particular cultural group.
- Political and economic realities also influence regionalism under this factor.
- Caste and Religion
- When caste is combined with language conflicts or religious fundamentalism, it leads to dogmatism, orthodoxy, and obscurantism, further fueling regional feelings.
- Economic Factors
- Uneven development across different parts of India is a primary cause of regionalism and separatism.
- This disparity has led to a feeling of relative deprivation among the inhabitants of economically neglected regions, resulting in demands for separate states.
- Politico-Administrative Factors
- Political parties and regional leaders exploit regional sentiments and deprivation to solidify their support bases by highlighting regional problems in their election manifestos and promising political and regional development to gain support.
- For example – Dravida in Tamil Nadu
Different Types of Regional Movements
- Secessionism
- It is a form of regionalism that involves militant and fundamentalist groups advocating a separation from India on the basis of ethnicity or any other factor.
- For example – Nagalimb, Khalistan in Punjab.
- Separatism
- Separatism is a political ideology or movement advocating for the separation of a group or region from a larger political entity, often due to cultural, ethnic, or religious differences but within a larger entity.
- For example – Jammu and Kashmir, Gorkhaland for ethnic Gorkha (Nepali) people in West Bengal
- Demand for Full Statehood
- It is most evident in the case of UTs in India. For example, Ladakh, Delhi.
- Demand for Autonomy
- Since the 1960’s, with the emergence of regional parties, the demand for state autonomy has been gaining more and more strength due to the central political interference.
- For example – Tamil Nadu
- Demand for Regional Autonomy within a State
- In some of the states, people belonging to various regions have been demanding recognition of their regional identities.
- The genesis of such demands lies in the regional imbalances resulting from inefficient planning.
- For example – Bodoland in Assam
Impacts of Regionalism
- Positive Impacts
- Cultural Diversity: India’s regional diversity is a source of rich cultural heritage. Each region has its own languages, traditions, festivals, and art forms, contributing to the overall cultural mosaic of the country.
- Preservation of Identity: Regionalism often helps in preserving and promoting the unique identities of different regions. It allows people to celebrate and maintain their distinct cultural and historical heritage.
- Economic Development: Regionalism can spur economic growth as it encourages states and regions to focus on their specific strengths and resources. This can lead to better utilization of local resources and the development of specialized industries.
- Local Governance: Regionalism supports the concept of decentralisation and local governance. It empowers local communities to make decisions that are more relevant to their specific needs and challenges.
- Negative Impacts
- Fragmentation: Excessive regionalism can lead to fragmentation of the nation and weaken the sense of national unity. This could potentially hinder effective governance and decision-making on a national level.
- Linguistic Divides: India is linguistically diverse, and regionalism based on language can sometimes result in tensions or conflicts between linguistic groups, as witnessed in language-based state reorganization movements.
- Political Instability: Regionalism can sometimes translate into demands for greater autonomy or even separatism, leading to political instability and unrest in certain regions.
- Economic Disparities: While regionalism can drive economic growth in some regions, it can also exacerbate economic disparities between regions if not managed properly. Some regions might feel marginalized or left behind in terms of development.
Initiatives to Counter Regionalism
- Constitutional Provisions
- Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 for Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.
- Special provisions under Article 371 for the state of Maharashtra and Gujarat for Vidarbha and Saurashtra region, respectively.
- Similarly, Article 371A makes a special provision for Nagaland to protect the rights of the tribal population. Also, there is Article 371B for Assam, Article 371C for Manipur, etc.
- Article 263 – inter-state council to promote harmony and coordination among the states.
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Legal Provisions
- Linguistic Reorganization of states and establishment of Zonal councils via the State Reorganisation Act of 1956.
- Policy Measures
- National integration council of 1961 to combat communalism, casteism, regionalism, and linguism.
- Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 to minimize economic inequalities.
- Finance commission grants, such as the State-specific grants for states to ensure equitable development.