Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. Regionalism in India is a multidimensional phenomenon as it is a complex amalgam of geographical, historical, cultural, economic, politico- administrative and psyche factors. It is not possible to indicate exactly any particular factor, which has been solely responsible for the phenomenon of regionalism. Therefore, all these factors need to be explained briefly. Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India.
Some of the most important the causes of regionalism in
India are as follows: (i) Geographical Factor (ii) Historical and Cultural
Factors (iii) Caste and Region (iv) Economic Factors (v)
Political-Administrative Factors.
(i)
Geographical Factor:
Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. The territorial orientation based on geographical
boundaries relate to the inhabitants of a particular region which are symbolic,
at least in the Indian context. This is more so because of the linguistic
distribution along geographical boundaries. The topographic and climatic
variations along with differences in the settlement pattern induce in people
the concept of regionalism.
(ii)
Historical and Cultural Factors:
In the Indian scenario the historical or cultural factors may be considered the prime components of the phenomenon of regionalism. The historical and cultural components interpret regionalism by way of cultural heritage, folklore, myths, symbolism and historical traditions. Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. People of a particular cultural group also derive inspirations from the noble deeds and glorious achievements of the local heroes. Nevertheless there are sudden political and economic realities which can be covered under the gamut of historical and cultural factors. Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India.
(iii)
Caste and Region:
Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India.Caste system and religion in Indian society play only a marginal roll in causing regionalism. Only when caste is combined with linguistic preponderance or religion it may cause regional feeling. In the like manner religion is not so significant except when it is combined with linguistic homogeneity or based on dogmatism and orthodoxy or linked with economic deprivation.
Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. However, regionalism is usually a secular phenomenon in a
relative sense and it can cross-cut the caste affiliation or religious
loyalties.
(iv)
Economic Factors:
In the present times, uneven developments in different parts of the country may be construed as the prime reason for regionalism and separatism. Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India.There are certain regions in the country where industries and factories have been concentrated, educational and health facilities are sufficiently provided, communication net work has been developed, rapid agricultural development has been made possible. But there are also certain areas where the worth of independence is yet to be realized in terms of socio-economic development.
Of course, the British administration may be held
responsible for causing such wide regional variations due to their suitability
for the purpose of administration, trade and commerce. But in the
post-Independence era, efforts should have been made for regional balance in
matters of industrial, agricultural and above all, economic development. This
disparity has caused the feeling of relative deprivation among the inhabitants
of economically neglected regions. It has manifested itself in the demand for
separate states such as Bodoland or Jharkhand land, Uttarakhand, etc.
(v)
Political-Administrative Factors:
Political parties, especially the regional political parties as well as local leaders exploit the regional sentiments, regional deprivation and convert them to solidify their factional support bases. They give place to the regional problems in their election manifesto and promise for political and regional development.
·
In the present day Indian political
scenario some regional parties have strongly emerged and captured power in some
states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam (Regional parties like ADMK,
AIDMK, in Tamil Nadu, Telegu-Desam in Andhra Pradesh. Assam Gana Parishad in
Assam). That apart some other regional parties like Akali Dal in Punjab,
Jharkhand party in Bihar, etc. have posed constant threat to the nation.
·
Regionalism is the expression of a common
sense of identity and purpose by people within a specific geographical region,
united by its unique language, culture, language, etc.
· Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. In a positive sense, it encourages people to develop a sense of brotherhood and oneness which seeks to protect the interests of a particular region and promotes the welfare and development of the state and its people.
· Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. In the negative sense, it implies excessive attachment to one’s region which is a great threat to the unity and integrity of the country.
·
In the Indian context generally, the term
'regionalism' has been used in the negative sense.
History of Regional Movements in India
·
The roots of regional consciousness in
India can be found in the colonial policies.
·
Differential attitudes and treatment by the
British towards princely states and those of the presidencies developed
regionalist tendencies among them.
·
British exploitative economic policies
completely neglected some regions, giving way to economic disparities and
regional imbalances.
·
On the other side, the Indian national
movement furthered a pluralistic idea of India.
·
The history of regional movements in India
can be traced back to the 1940s Dravida Movement or the Non-Brahmin movement
that started in the present day Tamil Nadu.
·
Later, the movement was resulted into the
demand of a separate and independent Tamil state.
·
This, in turn, led to several other parties
like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) springing up in the Andhra region, with the
demands of separate statehood.
·
The decades of 1950s and 1960s witnessed
intense mass mobilisation, often taking on a violent character for the demands
of statehood.
·
In 1954, the revolt for the separate state
of Andhra for Telugu - speaking people spearheaded by Potti Sri Ramulu and his
eventual death triggered the wave of political regionalism in India with many
princely states and other states making a demand for a separate state.
·
This resulted in formation of the States
Reorganisation Committee (headed by Faisal Ali) which recommended
re-organisation of Indian states on linguistic lines, thus reinforcing the
regionalist tendencies.
·
With the enactment of the States
Reorganisation Act, 1956, linguistic states became a reality.
·
During 1970s and 1980s, owing to the
intensification of tribal insurgency for separation and statehood, the Union
government passed the North-eastern States Reorganisation Act, 1971.
·
It upgraded the Union Territories of
Manipur and Tripura, and the Sub-State of Meghalaya to full statehood, and
Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (then Tribal Districts) to Union Territories
which became states in 1986.
·
The decade of 2000s, witnessed vigorous
movements for the creation of separate states due to a rising sense of regional
deprivation.
·
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.
·
The latest addition to this is the state of
Telangana created by the division of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
Types of Regional Movements
·
Secessionism
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.
·
Isac
Muivah’s National Socialist Council of Nagaland, the Islamic
fundamentalist groups in J&K, ULFA in Assam are examples of such an extreme
dimension of regionalism.
·
Separatism
is a demand for separate statehood within the Indian Union.
·
Many times, linguistic or ethnic minorities
within the states come together and unite against the majority community in
that state.
·
This kind of sub-regionalism was validated
by the State Reorganisation Act of 1956. The most recent examples include the
formation of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
·
Meanwhile, there have been many demands
including the creation of Bodoland for the Bodo-speakers in Assam; Gorkhaland
for ethnic Gorkha (Nepali) people in West Bengal; a Bundelkhand state (covering
part of Madhya Pradesh and part of Uttar Pradesh) for promoting the development
of the region.
·
Demand for Full Statehood, the union
territories have been forwarding such demands like the NCT of Delhi.
·
Most of such demands have already been
accepted. In 1971, Himachal Pradesh got the status of a full state and
thereafter Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh (former NEFA) and
Sikkim got full statehoods
·
The Demand for Autonomy, since 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 interferences.
·
In Tamil Nadu the DMK, in Punjab the Akali
Dal, in Andhra Pradesh the Telgu Desham, in Assam the Assam Gana Parishad, the
National conference in J&K and in West Bengal the Forward Bloc have been
continuously demanding a larger share of powers for the states.
·
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 instance in J &
K, the Ladakhis are demanding a regional status.
Reasons
behind Growth of Regionalism in India
i.
Historical and geographical isolation
ii.
Lop-sided development
iii. Continuous neglect of a region
·
Insider-outsider complex that nurturers
nativism and son-of-the-soil ideology.
·
Internal colonialism, i.e., despite being
rich in natural resources some regions remain economically underdeveloped.
·
The reasons being either ill-conceived
top-down approach or survival of one region at the cost of the other region.
Chhota Nagpur plateau is an example of this type of underdevelopment.
· Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. Political vested interests can accentuate and exploit regional loyalties.
·
Reaction to an imposed ideology that can
make its appearance as a reaction against the perceived imposition of a
particular ideology, language or cultural pattern on all people and groups.
·
Linguistic aspirations that have remained a
formidable basis of regionalism.
Expression of ethnicity.
i.
Impact of Regionalism on Indian Polity
ii.
Rise of regional parties.
iii.
Re-focus on regional issues.
·
Regionalist tendencies often stir
inter-state hostility as its spillover effect.
·
Regional movements often result in violent
agitations, disturbs not only the law and order situation but also have
negative implications on the economy of the state as well as the nation.
·
Regionalism sometimes undercuts the
national interest by being a hurdle in international diplomacy.
· Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. For instance- the opposition of regional/state parties of Tamil against the stand of the central government had a direct implication on the relation of India with Sri Lanka.
·
The disagreement of political leadership in
West Bengal with the central government over the Land Boundary Agreement and
Teesta River Water sharing treaty with Bangladesh resulted in increased
tensions between the two nations.
·
Regionalism can become a shield for
militancy, extremism to create an internal security threat. Kashmir militancy
is an example of this type of regionalism.
Regionalism vs. Nationalism
I. Discuss the Factors for the growth of regionalism in India. Nationalism is a sense of belonging to one nation, a feeling one shares with all the citizens of the country regardless of their caste, creed, culture, religion or region.
II.
This association with a nation is the
primary mode of identification for a person and every nation encourages its
citizens to take pride in being its citizen.
III.
However, when people begin identifying more
strongly with their region than with their nation, it is alleged that
nationalism is undercut by a sense of regionalism.
IV.
While a nation tries to establish harmony
between all its citizens by uniting them through a constitution, national
symbols, and songs, regionalism glorifies the heritage of only one particular
region and of one culture.
V.
This leads to the formation of multiple
communities within one nation and restricts the efforts of national
integration.
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