Question – Explaining the concept of regionalism, describe the challenges and solutions associated with it in India. – 22 June 2021
Answer – Regionalism is an ideology which is related to such an area, which is alive for its separate existence due to religious, economic, social or cultural reasons or continuously tries to maintain the separateness of such area. It can include issues related to the division of regions on political, administrative, cultural and linguistic basis, etc., but when the ideology of regionalism is seen with the development of a particular region, this concept becomes negative.
Reasons for the rise of regionalism:
Regionalism is not a new ideology in the Indian context. From time immemorial to the present scenario, there have been many such reasons, which have been considered important for the rise of regionalism. Some of them are as follows-
On religious grounds:
Religion is one of the main causes of regionalism. By politicizing religion, various political parties make promises of regional development to the people, which is harmful to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Promoting regionalism on the basis of religion is playing with the religious beliefs and beliefs of the people, which have been given to them by the constitution as fundamental rights.
On linguistic basis:
Integrating people or forming a region on the basis of language is one of the reasons for promoting regionalism. This linguistic dispute remained a major political issue even before independence. In 1920, the Congress party demanded the formation of states on linguistic basis. This demand was reiterated in the Nehru Report of 1927. The most controversial topic after independence was the reorganization of the states on linguistic basis, so to end this dispute, the “Dhar Commission” was constituted in the year 1948 and after that J.V.P. The reorganization of the states on linguistic basis was also recommended by the committee.
On the basis of politics:
Politics is also seen as an important factor in promoting regionalism in India. If seen from the political point of view, the problem of regionalism in India gets its strength only by the politicians. Concerned over the revolts in the Darjeeling and Naxalite areas of West Bengal in 1968, the central government’s decision to ban the possession of arms in the affected areas was considered by the state governments as interference by the central government. The dispute between the Center and the governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal on the issue of ban on cow slaughter during the Janata Party regime can be considered as an example of radical regionalism.
Challenges arising out of regionalism:
The formation of new states repeatedly has a negative impact on the unity and integrity of the country. Not a single new state has emerged among the newly formed states, after which an unprecedented increase in the growth rate has been registered. Due to regionalism, there is also a negative impact on the Centre-State relations. Regionalism encourages coalition politics, which creates a dilemma in policy-making or implementation of these policies for the development of regions.
Many regional parties have emerged as a result of regionalism, due to which the interest groups of each region i.e. leaders, industrialists and politicians are seen giving priority to their own regional development. At the regional level, the religious faith of the people is used as a vote bank by various political parties by promising regional development, due to which the atmosphere of communalism and violence is created in the country. Due to regionalism, the spirit of separatism is encouraged in the country, from time to time we have also seen some examples of this such as the formation of Alpha faction in Assam, activities of Mizo National Front in Mizoram, etc. are inspired.
Solutions:
- By developing a nationwide approach through education, awareness about the ill effects of regionalism can be developed among the people and the generations to come.
- States have to come together as partners in each other’s development. For example, the way the thermal power stations of Punjab, Haryana are supplied with coal required for generation of electricity from Jharkhand, Odisha.
- NITI Aayog needs to work in a better way to understand the problems and needs of the states.
- State governments need to heed the suggestions made by the Inter-State Councils mentioned in Article-263, which have been constituted as an advisory body to resolve disputes between the States.
- The distribution of natural and mineral resources by the central government should be done keeping in mind the needs of the states.
Along with understanding the ideology of regionalism, we also need to rethink that we are Indian first followed by Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi etc. We should respect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country, ignoring our personal interests.
