An Overview of Regionalism in India

An Overview of Regionalism in India

Author Name : Dr. K. Bhaskar

ABSTRACT

Regionalism is not a new phenomenon in the Indian political system. In the pre-independence days, it was promoted by the British imperialists, who deliberately encouraged the people of various regions to think in terms of their region rather than the nation as a whole, with a view to maintaining their hold over India during the national movement. After Independence, the leaders tried to foster a feeling among the people that they belonged to one single nation. The framers of the Constitution sought to achieve this by introducing single citizenship for all. With the same objective, a unified judiciary, all Indian services, and a strong central government were provided. But in view of the vastness of the country and its cultures, regionalism soon made its appearance in India. Regionalism is more a form of "politics of pressure" and a bargaining technique than the feeling of one’s separate existence. It is often seen that the people living in a particular region instigate the regional feelings of the people for the fulfilment of their specific demands and adopt a confrontationist attitude towards the centre as well as other states. They calm down once their specific demands are met, and the intensity of their regional feelings decreases. Some people regard regionalism and nationalism as opposed to each other, but this is not bound to be so. The need is to strike a balance between regional and national interests, and when that balance is struck, regionalism takes on a positive form and contributes to the country's unity and integrity. But when regionalism assumes the form of separatism, it becomes dangerous, and we should be concerned about it. Regionalism is not only a problem pertaining to Indian politics alone; it is a world-wide phenomenon, and this problem is influencing politics all over the world in different ways.