Characteristics, Types, and Basis of Regionalism

Regionalism is rooted in India’s diversity w.r.t. (with respect to) caste, religion, language, class etc. When all these factors get geographically concentrated, along with the feeling of relative deprivation (i.e. a feeling that their community is not able to have access or benefit from such access to the resources of the land), it is referred to as regionalism.
Regionalism is a term used to describe the idea that people living in a particular region share a common identity based on their distinct characteristics, such as language, culture, history, and food habits. This shared identity creates a sense of togetherness among people inhabiting a region.
- It is important to note that local patriotism and loyalty to one’s locality, region, or state and its language and culture do not necessarily constitute regionalism
- However, regionalism can become problematic when the interests of one region or state are asserted against the country as a whole or against another region or state in a hostile manner.
- In the context of India, regionalism has been one of the biggest challenges for the consolidation of the country as a nation since its independence.

Table of Contents

Characteristics of regionalism

It is, at times, a psychological phenomenon. For example, India and Pakistan were divided to solve problems that were perceived and feared, rather than being actually present.
It is built around an expression of group identity as well as loyalty towards the region.

For example, the tribals in Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh area consider their land to be sacred, and trace their identity to a common ancestor of the region. They do not tolerate outside interference, especially since outsiders do not understand their ways and customs. Such outsiders may even consist of non-tribals belonging to the same state.

It presupposes the concept of development of one’s own region without taking into consideration the interest of other regions. The recurrent and ever ongoing river water disputes between states and nations could be traced to such factors.
Regionalism, at times, prohibits people from other regions to be benefited by a particular region. The demand for a ‘Marathwada’ (Maharashtra for Marathwadas) is a case in point here.

Types of Regionalism

Demand for State Autonomy
Supra-state Regionalism
Inter-state Regionalism
Intra-state Regional Politics or Sub-regionalism

Demand for State Autonomy

Regional politics manifested in the form of people in certain states or regions demanding to secede from the Indian Union and become independent sovereign states. Such demands occurred soon after independence and are largely non- existent now.
The important examples in this context are that of the Plebiscite Front (Kashmir), Mizo National Front (Lushei Hills of Assam), Nagaland Socialist Conference (Naga Hills District of Assam) etc.

Supra-state Regionalism

It’s when certain states express their group identity by coming together to support shared interests. This identity is related to particular issues, but it doesn’t mean these states fully merge their identities into one group. Sometimes, there can be disagreements and conflicts among some states within the group.
Eg: Dravida Nadu demand prior to the re-organisation of the states,1956. Similarly, the grouping of the North Eastern States for greater access to economic development is another instance.

Inter-state Regionalism

It is related to state boundaries and involves overlapping of one or more state identities, which threaten their interests.
Eg: River water disputes,Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute.

Intra-state Regional Politics or Sub-regionalism

This refers to regionalism, which exists within a state of the Indian Union. It embodies the desire of a part of a state for identity and self-development. It may also reflect a notion of deprivation or exploitation of a part of the state at the expense of another. This type of regionalism can be found in many parts of India.
Eg: Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Saurashtra in Gujarat, Telangana in Andhra Pradesh, East U.P. in Uttar Pradesh etc..

Son of Soil Theory

The concept of Sons of the Soil (SoS) is deeply embedded in the human psyche. Sons of the soil is an elemental concept tying people to their place of birth and confers some benefits, rights, roles and responsibilities on them, which may not apply to others.
Sons of Soil Doctrine underlies the view that a state specifically belongs to the main linguistic group inhabiting it or that the state constitutes the exclusive ‘homeland’ of its main language speakers who are the ‘sons of the soil’ or the ‘local residents’.
All others who live there or are settled there and whose mother tongue is not the state`s main language are declared ‘outsiders’. These outsiders might have lived in the state for a long time, or have migrated there more recently, but they are not regarded as the ‘sons of the soil’.
Eg:- campaign for safeguard of interests of Maharashtrians by the Shiv Sena, clashes among Bodos and Bengali speaking Muslims in Assam, among others.
A sons-of-the-soil (SoS) conflict has the following core features:
- First, it involves conflict between members of a minority ethnic group concentrated in some region of a country, and relatively recent, ethnically distinct migrants to this region from other parts of the same country.
- Second, the members of the minority group think of their group as indigenous, and as rightfully possessing the area as their group’s ancestral (or at least very long-standing) home.
- By “conflict” we mean competition and dispute over scarce resources such as land, jobs, educational quotas, government services, or natural resources. A SoS conflict may be violent, but it need not be.

Basis of Regionalism

Regionalism has roots across various bases.

Geographical Factor
Historical Factor
Cultural Factor
Economic Factor
Politico-administrative factor

Geographical Factor

Usually people relate their regional identities to certain specific geographical boundaries. As an example, even after independence and the integration of Princely States with the Indian Union, the loyalties of citizens were torn between old territorial boundaries and new territorial structures.
However, in the present day context, geographical factors are more closely tied to factors that determine economic growth and prosperity. Geographical factors contribute to resource-competition and relative deprivation amongst states.
For instance, owing to North East India facing problems of connectivity with the Indian mainland, its development remains sub-par. This brings in a sense of discontent amongst locals and negatively affects social solidarity. Consequently, North-East India has been a breeding ground for regional/Secessionist politics and dissent.
Similarly, buffer-areas is another crucial geographical factor. For example, Bundelkhand belongs to UP and MP. Neither do any of these states want to give up control, nor do they want to take up the responsibility to develop it

Historical and Social Basis: Historical and social basis together are not only important individually but also in conjunction with each other. They have contributed to Regionalism in India in various ways:
History: History provides regionalist tendencies via some ideological bases through cultural heritage, folklore, myths and symbolism.

For example, the demand for Dravida nadu was supported by the theory that the Dravidian speaking area once had non-Brahminical polity, which was destroyed by Aryan conquest and Brahminical hegemony. Also, the idea of Tamil nationalism was based on idealization of ancient Tamil history. Parties like the Dravida Kazhagam (DK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and Telugu Desham (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh gained credence.
However,history isn’t the only main reason behind regionalism. Economic and political aspects have also contributed to regional feelings. An example of this change is the DMK, which moved from demanding independence to seeking autonomy within the country’s constitution.

Language: Language is arguably the most important mark of group identification. Through expression of shared life, thought structure and value patterns of people,language has the capacity to unite the people together towards achieving a common goal.

In this sense, linguistic homogeneity strengthens a positive movement. However,language can also contribute to impart divisive tendencies.
Language is arguably the most important mark of group identification.
Through expression of shared life, thought structure and value patterns of people, language has the capacity to unite the people together towards achieving a common goal. In this sense, linguistic homogeneity strengthens a positive movement.
However, language can also contribute to impart divisive tendencies.Language found acceptance as a principle criterion for demarcating the territorial boundaries of provincial units. This was acknowledged in the Nagpur Congress session(1920). Post-independence, the State Reorganization Commission (SRC) 1955 was established and new states were formed in 1956.
Later on, new states were created by splitting up older states of Bombay (1960), Punjab (1966), and Assam (mid-sixties) into linguistically homogeneous states. Time and again, language emerges as a major bone of contention in Indian regional politics.
For instance, the demand for Gorkhaland in the North-East India, imposition of Hindi in the Southern States, etc.
It must also be borne in mind that the importance of language must not be overstated.If language had been synonymous with region, the political aspiration of every linguistic group would have been satisfied by the formation of separate states. This, however, is neither a reality nor a foreseeable possibility. This is chiefly because of India’s immense linguistic diversity that makes it practically impossible.

Caste: Caste serves as an important factor underlying social differentiation in India. It is also a major reason behind providing impetus to linguistic regionalism.

For instance, Tamil regionalism gained ground as a result of the Anti-Brahmin movement. Non-Brahmin castes of Tamil speaking region had been able to provide a powerful united thrust against Brahmins who had earlier enjoyed unquestioned dominance in economy, society and polity.

Religion: Religion might mix with other things like having more money or speaking the same language to encourage regional feelings.

For example, the demand for Punjabi Suba had religious undertones even though it was presented under a linguistic garb. Similarly, secessionist movement in J&K also feeds off a sense of religious orthodoxy and economic deprivation

3. Economic Basis:

In a developing country like India, resources are limited while the demand for resources for the development of various regions is disproportionate to resources. Economic policies have led to regional imbalances and wide economic disparities among various regions resulting in discontentment among them.
Most of the demands for constituting new states were primarily based on allegedly unfair and unequal distribution of development benefits and expenditure in multi-lingual states.
For example, movements for a separate Uttarakhand state in the hill districts of U.P.; creation of Jharkhand state out of parts of Bihar; demand for Bodoland comprising a part of Assam etc. The demand for separate states rests primarily on the sense of relative economic deprivation facing these regions.

4. Politico-Administrative Basis:

Politics, on its own, does not create regionalism. It only accentuates regionalism or takes advantage of already existing regional tendencies. Politicians convert regional disenchantment into movements for strengthening their individual and factional support bases.
For example, it is often argued that regional political parties like TDP (Andhra Pradesh), DMK (Tamil Nadu), Akali Dal (Punjab) are surviving by keeping regional sentiments alive.
Other important facets of the politics of regionalism are the real or assumed charges of political discrimination among various regions by the central ruling elite.
Actually, the economic policies of the government have been such that it has aggravated the regional imbalances and economic disparities- It was due to the unequal distribution of developmental benefits that the demand for new states emerged.

FAQs

1. What are the characteristics of regionalism?

Regionalism involves a focus on the unique cultural, economic, or political aspects of a specific geographic area.
It often arises from a sense of local identity and a desire for greater autonomy or recognition within a larger political entity.
Regionalism can manifest in various forms, including cultural movements, economic alliances, or political separatism.
It may lead to cooperation or conflict between different regions, depending on shared interests or competing priorities.
Regionalism tends to promote decentralization of power and decision-making, allowing for more tailored governance structures.

2. What are the types of regionalism?

Cultural Regionalism: Focuses on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage and identity of a specific region.
Economic Regionalism: Involves economic cooperation and integration among neighboring states or provinces to enhance trade, investment, and development.
Political Regionalism: Seeks to establish or strengthen political institutions at the regional level, often aiming for greater autonomy or self-governance.
Administrative Regionalism: Involves the decentralization of administrative functions to regional authorities, allowing for more efficient and responsive governance.
Security Regionalism: Addresses security challenges within a particular geographic area through cooperative security arrangements or alliances.

3. What is the basis of regionalism?

Historical Factors: Shared history, culture, and traditions often form the basis of regional identity and solidarity.
Geographical Proximity: Physical proximity can foster economic, social, and political ties between neighboring regions, leading to the development of regionalist sentiments.
Economic Interests: Common economic interests, such as trade patterns or resource dependencies, can drive regions to cooperate or compete with each other.
Political Factors: Differences in political ideology, governance structures, or government policies may fuel regional aspirations for greater autonomy or independence.
Socio-Cultural Factors: Ethnic, linguistic, or religious similarities or differences can contribute to the formation of regional identities and movements.

4. How does regionalism impact national unity?

Regionalism can strengthen national unity by allowing for greater representation and participation from diverse regions within a country.
However, excessive regionalism may also pose challenges to national cohesion by fostering separatist movements or exacerbating inter-regional tensions.
Effective governance mechanisms that accommodate regional diversity while maintaining national integrity are crucial for managing the impact of regionalism on national unity.

5. What role does regionalism play in global politics?

Regionalism can serve as a building block for broader international cooperation, as seen in regional organizations like the European Union or ASEAN.
It can also contribute to geopolitical rivalries and conflicts, particularly when regional blocs compete for influence or resources.
Regionalism often influences global trade patterns and economic dynamics through regional trade agreements and economic integration initiatives.
Additionally, regionalism can provide a platform for addressing transnational challenges such as climate change, migration, or terrorism through regional cooperation frameworks.

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Characteristics, Types, and Basis of Regionalism – UPSC Indian Society Notes