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What is Regionalism?
• The word “regionalism” has two meanings. In a negative sense, it is a strong and often
unpleasant (for those not from the place) loyalty to one’s home region over the country or
state
• In a positive sense, it is a political quality related to people’s passion for their territory,
culture, language, and other aspects to protect their independence
• Positive regionalism is a good thing as it promotes individuals to form a sense of
brotherhood and similarity based on shared language, religion, or history
• The bad notion of regionalism poses a serious danger to the country’s unity and integrity
• In general, the term “regionalism” has been used in a negative light in India
• The feeling of regionalism might arise as a result of the ruling authorities’ continued
ignorance of a particular area or region, or as a result of increased political awareness of
people who have been discriminated against
• Some political leaders frequently create feelings of regionalism to keep control over a
specific territory or group of people
Causes of Regionalism
• Geographical Factors: India has a diverse geography. There are different types of climates
throughout the country. This change in geography affects the regional practices, food
habits, and way of life
• Linguistic Factors: India enjoys a large number of languages, but this can also cause one
to feel more connected to a region than the country, thus promoting regionalism
• Steps such as making Hindi the national language affected non-Hindi speakers and
increased regionalism
• Historical Factors: India has faced the authority of many. The control of regions was
sometimes done separately and sometimes together, like by Akbar
• As India faced colonization, the British policy of divide and rule led to growing regionalism
• The discrimination or neglect faced by areas such as North East have caused feelings of
regionalism
• Regional leaders try to gain support by promoting regionalism
• Those regions that have been discriminated against have begun to recognize themselves
as part of a region, not a nation
Forms of Regionalism:
In India, regionalism has taken many forms, including:
• Demand for State Autonomy: States have frequently demanded greater autonomy from the
centre as a result of regionalism. Regional tensions have been seen as the Centre
becomes more involved in the affairs of the states. The demand for autonomy, or self-
dependence has also been expressed by areas inside various Indian states
• Secession from the Union: This is a sort of regionalism that is extremely dangerous. It
appears when states want independence from the Centre and attempt to create their own
identity separate from the nation
• Disputes between states over the distribution of river water, as well as the importance given
by states to the majority language and persons from their states in job possibilities, have
also caused regionalism
• The migration of people from a developing state to a developed state for job
opportunities has often resulted in a discriminatory attitude toward the migrants, as
seen in the problems in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.