Regionalism | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Regionalism is a strong sense of pride or loyalty that people have for their own area, generally motivated by a desire to self-govern. For Example- People of Gorkhaland, Naga tribes in North East states etc.

Constitutional Provision To Promote National Unity and Integrity 

• Freedom of speech and expression (Art. 19) to express regional priorities and criticize the government if a region is being neglected.
• Fifth and sixth schedule to preserve tribal identity.
• Article 38 (DPSP) to deal with inequality in income status and opportunity among individuals and regions.
• Schedule 7 (division of power) between center and state to give more regional autonomy through∙ state
• Eighth schedule recognized different regional languages in the constitution of India∙
• Article 79 and 80 provisions of Rajya Sabha as Council of States.
• Article 368 amendment procedure for having ratification by half of the States if an amendment is affecting federalism.

Forms of Regionalism 

Factors Responsible for Regionalism in India 

• Due to the distribution of languages along geographic boundaries, the territorial orientation based on boundaries relates to the inhabitants of a particular region.

Historical Factors:

• Ancient Phase: Except Ashoka’s rule, India was largely ruled by regional kingdoms, For Example, Cholas and Pandyas of South India and Satavahanas of Andhra.
• Medieval Phase: It was only during Akbar’s rule, India again became united. Even though his rule had a centralized authority, there were numerous governors who ruled suba, state with autonomy and culture. For Example, The Rajputs, Afghans etc.
• British Rule in India: Under British rule, India once more experienced political unification. However, because of their divide-and-rule strategy, the British encouraged regional disparities.
  They granted numerous princely states independence and concessions. They pitted one king against another iin their wars.

Economic Factors:

•  Uneven economic growth and economic disparity across the country may be construed as the prime reason for regionalism. Ex. Vidharbha region in Maharahtra

 Cultural and Religious Factors:

• Diversity in culture: Southern India which is itself a region of many regions, is evidently    different from the rest of the country. Even eastern India is different from the North-East of India, which is home to the largest concentration of tribal people.
• Glorious Past: Reverence of historical local leaders by the local people. E.g. Shivaji in Maharashtra, Maha Rana Pratap in Rajasthan, Lachit Borphukan of Assam, Babu Veer Kunwar Singh in Bihar etc.
• Caste system: Different subsections of the population were assigned varying social statuses under the caste system. Additionally, it has supported sectarian and regional aspirations. For Example, The Vanniyars of North Tamil Nadu are demanding a separate state based on caste identity.
• Rituals and Festivals: Festivals of both religious and secular nature are celebrated in India.. There are numerous tribal festivals being celebrated that showcase the tribal way of life.

Politico-Administrative Factors: 

• To strengthen their factional support bases, political parties take advantage of regional sentiments and deprivation. They raise the regional problems in the election manifesto and promise the outcome.

Ethnic Factors: 

• ethnic differences formed the base for demands for political autonomy and secession. For example, the Nagas of Nagaland are demanding a nation based on their ethnic identity.

Scarcity of resources:  

• Regional aspirations frequently fuel competition because resources are scarce and shared by two or more regions. For Ex. - the Mahadayi Water dispute.

Manifestations of Regionalism 

• Anti-Immigrant Sentiments: In recent times, we have seen anti-migrant sentiments exhibited in states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, J&K etc.
  • Many states have also implemented laws to curb employment opportunities for people outside their borders. Ex. Sikkim, North-East states, Haryana, Ladakh etc.
• Hatred towards other communities: Under this, interstate conflicts or even political squabbles may motivate a deep-seated animosity toward other communities.
  This is manifested in Maharashtra and a few South Indian states as anti-North Indian sentiments.
• Interstate disputes: Instances of interstate disputes include those between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and Maharashtra.
• Linguistic issues: There is no single national language in the multicultural nation of India. Political parties and governments have recently concentrated on imposing Hindi in non-Hindi states.

Impact of Regionalism 

• Inter – group solidarity: In order to protect their shared interests, residents of a region might feel compelled to put aside their differences and band together.
• Increasing uncertainty globally: Regionalism has become a source of identity among people in the era uncertainty at global level. It is also healthy for maintaining the socio-cultural fabric of India.
• Healthy competition among regions: It may induce competition among people of a region.
  • For Example: Competitive federalism ensuing competition among states for the construction of infrastructural projects like expressway, metro projects etc.
• National Building process: If it accommodates the federal elements then constructive for nation building. It helps in realising the salad-bowl theory both in letter and spirit.
• Regional recognition: Internal self-determination of community, whether linguistic, tribal, religious, or their combinations, has remained the predominant form in which regionalism has sought to express itself.

Negative Impact

• Loyalty to a particular region: As loyalty to a particular region remains stronger than loyalty to the nation, hence can be a threat to the unity of the nation.
• Exploitation for political leverage: It breeds contempt amongst local people against people from other regions. Consequently, it accentuates regional divide and augments identity politics.
• Unbalanced Development: Unbalanced development promotes regionalist and secessionist demands. Ex. Demand of Vidarbha as state.
• Affects coalition government: Demands for regional aspiration bring it difficult to continue coalition government. o Ex. The MSP for sugarcane is beneficial to farmers in Maharashtra, but when it was implemented in all states, it led to protests from farmers in UP, Punjab, and Haryana.

Federalism and Regionalism 

• Federalism is the division of power over governance and policymaking among various units of government.
• In order to achieve harmony, the federalism framework accommodates regional, ethnic, religious, linguistic, national, and economic diversity, Indian federalism is seen as a method of accommodation of regionalism in India in following ways -
  1. Constitutional autonomy: The regions listed under the fifth and sixth schedules are given some autonomy, allowing them to preserve their unique cultures and grow in accordance with their own needs. As a result, the federal government is strengthened.
  2.  Rights to marginalised society: By including special clauses, minority rights, separate personal laws, special protections, and affirmative action in the constitution, federalism attempted to take regional aspirations into  account.
  3. Political Equilibrium: Federalism is seen here as a political equilibrium, which results from the appropriate balance between shared rule and self-rule.
  4. Devolving Power: Federalism has been given a strong push by devolving powers at local level to states and their local bodies through 73rd and 74th Amendment acts.

Federalism against Regionalism:

• Federal structure has not been able to address the regional disparity and led to development of only certain areas.
• The state legislatures are not entirely responsible. They rely on the centre for resources and assistance in times of difficulty.
• In the vast majority of India's regions, there are essentially no local governments. Our federal structure has made sure that it hurts where it affects people the most.
• The 11th and 12th schedules (local governments), the subject classification in the seventh schedule has not been fair. The second tier of governance completely depends on the first tier, which in turn totally depends on the third tier.

Way Forward

• Proper fiscal federalism is required.
• Centre-state relations should be such that the centre only intervenes in state affairs when it is necessary for the centre to advance its own interests.
• There should be a national education system that aids in overcoming regional prejudices and forging a sense of loyalty to the country.

How is Regionalism a threat to National Unity and Integrity?

• Prioritise regional issues: Putting regional interests and viewpoints ahead of national ones is regionalism. Ex. demand for a separate constitution and flag for the proposed Nagalim state.
• Emergence of regional political parties: Secessionist tendencies polarise citizens of the country on regional lines. Example, Telugu Desam Party of Andhra Pradesh, DMK, SHIV SENA and MNS in Maharashtra and AIADMK of Tamil Nadu.
• Hurdle in Coalition government: Its effect on legislation and executive power is also evident. To maintain a majority in the house, the ruling party has to form a coalition with regional parties. This is leading to a situation where regional demand is portrayed as national demand.
• International diplomacy: This is also affected to a great level due to the weak centre and coalition government.In the past the government was forced to abstain from attending commonwealth heads meeting in Sri Lanka due to the Tamil-Sinhala issue in Sri Lanka and sentiments of Indian Tamils.
• Violent protest: Mass mobilisation for regional causes is taking a violent turn. -violent E.g.- The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh saw violent agitations across the state.
• Threat to internal security: Regionalism also leads to friction among states. The hostility is being established on grounds of boundary disputes, irrigation issues, etc. Eg. Mahanadi Water disputes

Way Forward

• Doing away with regional imbalance: The issue of regionalism will be lessened if the nation's resources are allocated fairly. Ex. Special packages for underdeveloped regions etc.
• Economic development of deprived zones: Political disputes have fostered regional animosity as a result of the uneven growth of the regions of the country. Ex. Recent boost to infrastructural development work in the North Eastern states.
• Restructuring of society: It will help to reap the benefits of investment to the sections of societies which are required the most. Ex. Manufacturing units in Bihar, Assam etc.
• Acculturation: The regional groups of people also maintain their cultural distinctiveness. This delimits the interaction between different regional and cultural superiority for each group.
• Improve Proper Education: The Indians as a people have great reverence and love for education. Education may be construed as a very powerful agent for doing away with the separatist tendencies and for flourishing the sense of nationalistic spirit among the country men.
• Use of mass media: People will be inspired to cross regional boundaries and work toward national development if they are made aware of them through media, curriculum etc. Ex. The Delhi government has introduced Patriotism as part of the syllabus.
• Devolution of Authority: local bodies are needs to e given more authority and people encouraged to participate in decision making. Ex. Financial devolution of power etc.
• System of national education: It would help people to overcome regional feelings and develop an attachment towards the nation. This can act as a long-term solution to the problem of sub-nationalism.
• Institution Activeness: The National Integration Council was set up in 1961, which should utilise its potential more effectively.