Regionalism And Its Adverse Effects

Today we live in a world of numerous identities. Each identity defines a person and ascertains his singularity among the masses. It, in turn, unites a conglomeration of people on the basis of common grounds and at the same time divides and delineates this congregation from everyone else. Our collective identity soon becomes far more important to us than individual existence, and often provides us with a purpose to ensure betterment of the community or society which we belong to. An identity places a person within a group of similar people, and it fosters brotherhood and gives him/her a sense of belonging within the group. A conflict only arises when a person has to prioritize between the various identities that he has amassed over time, and his devotion to one leaves his loyalty to the others in question.

Regionalism is one such scenario, which is prevalent in many parts of the world today. One defines regionalism in simple terms as a political ideology that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions.

Initially, regional movements helped the art and culture of many neglected regions to flourish by increasing their exposure through local emphasis. This in turn restored a sense of pride in the minds of the people about their culture and heritage. Yet, continued acts of regionalism led to amplifying a region`s influence and magnifying its political prowess through pacifistic ways such as devolution and decentralization as well as more aggressive means like separatism or even a struggle for independence.

By the preceding paragraph it is rather evident that regionalism to a large extent weakens nationalistic spirit by placing the needs of the region on a higher platform as compared to those of the ruling nation. While trying to ensure the culture and tradition of a particular geographical area is sustained, regionalism often ends up making the people of a certain region narrow minded and less accepting of other cultures found in different parts of the country.

In certain cases it develops a superiority complex in the minds of the people who have inhabited a place for many years and gives them a false sense of ownership over the region. This, coupled with the fact that most people, who have lived in the region since times immemorial amount to a majority leads to the neglect (and often oppression) of the minority who have settled in the region recently. These effects of regionalism greatly hurt and disturb one`s national identity.

National identity is a sense of belonging to one nation, a feeling one shares with a group of people, regardless of one`s citizenship status. By the very definition, it is clearly apparent how regionalism does not go hand in hand with national identity. Nationalists argue that giving away too many powers to a particular region (a state or a collection of states) dilutes the powers of the country. Policies like devolution call for the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to government at a subnational level, such as a regional, local, or state level. Another regionalist policy known as decentralization is usually employed by the central government to spread its decision making governance closer to the people. While these measures are often taken to improve the governance at the grassroots level, it can lead to rebellion which is aided by the newly empowered inhabitants of a region. Hence, growing regional fervour must be kept in check to prevent frequent uprising.

Another problem regionalism brings about is its disastrous effect on national integration. 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 one region, of one culture and of one people. This leads to the formation of multiple communities within one nation and restricts the free interplay of culture and tradition between a country`s citizens.

In the Indian context, a country that claims to be a unity in diversity, the effects of regionalism are particularly prominent. The nation consists not only of variations in terms of people from different states, but also different languages, religions, economic backgrounds as well as ethnic roots. Due to so many variations in the composition of our population, regionalism has been witnessed in our country on more than one occasion, often leading to abundant bloodshed and massive loss of life.

It all began in 1953, when Potti Sriramulu, while fasting to demand for a separate state for Telegu speaking people, succumbed to death after 52 days. It is because of his sacrifice along with many others, that Andhra Pradesh (India`s first linguistic state) was formed. While this was a nonviolent regionalistic movement, the trend did not continue in the future. As seen in later years in case of the Khalistan issue, where Punjabis demanded a free state from the rest of India, the army had to be brought in, in order to resolve the violent conflict. In recent times, Maharastra and Assam have come under heavy criticism for countless attacks on people who migrated from other states. Not only does this weaken us as a nation from the inside but it also undermines the national identity by placing our constitutional rights in great jeopardy.

At times, regionalism has been used for political leverage in order to secure a vote bank (get the support of the majority living in a region). People are mind washed into believing philosophies that go against the very principles that establish us as a unity in diversity. Worse still is the fact that once hatred develops towards a particular group of people, it persists throughout the ages.

The Constitution of India declares our country to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them. In order for these ideals of our constitution to be preserved, our Government must check and control the growing regionalism within the nation.