Regionalism
Regionalism
Globalization Are we losing our local identity for the global identity? Discuss. (2019)
‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due
to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’
Elucidate. (2018)
To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in
India? Explain. (2016)
Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India?
(2015)
Critically examine the effect of globalization on the aged population in India.
(2013)
SALIENT The life cycle of a joint family depends on economic factors rather than
FEATURES OF social values. Discuss.
INDIAN Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their
SOCIETY relative significance in building a national identity.
In the context of the diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form
cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your
view point.
The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian
society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the
present. Elaborate.
“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence,
caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment.
Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian
Unity?
Debate the issue of whether and how contemporary movements for
assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.
Secularism How do the Indian debates on secularism differ from the debates in the
West? (2014)
How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of
secularism? Discuss. (2018)
What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism?
(2019)
Urbanization Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy
process of urbanization in India. (2013)
Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart vilages. Discuss this
statement in the backdrop of rural urban integration. (2015)
With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the
objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.” (2016)
Population Review the population policy of the Govt. of India giving the distinguishing
features. (2001)
Outline the main targets fixed in the National Population Policy 2000. What
have been the follow up measures to this policy? (2002)
Define Sex ratio in the population of India. What is its present status? (2002)
Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR
poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India. (2013)
Migration A building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6
floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of innocent
labourers including women and children died. These labourers are migrants
of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to
the aggrieved families and arrested the builder. Give reasons for such
incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their
occurrence. (2017)
Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside
India in the last four decades. (2015).
In our country, the migration of rural people to towns and cities is increasing
drastically. This is causing serious problems both in the rural as well as in the
urban areas. In fact, things are becoming really unmanageable. Can you
analyse this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but
also the emotional and attitudinal factors responsible for this problem? Also,
distinctly bring out why- (a) educated rural youth are trying to shift to urban
areas; (b) landless poor people are migrating to urban slums; (c) even some
farmers are selling off their land and trying to settle in urban areas taking up
petty jobs. What feasible steps can you suggest which will be effective in
controlling this serious problem of our country? (2014)
REGIONALISM
Definition:
Regionalism can be defined as a phenomenon in which people’s political loyalties become
focused upon a region. In other words, it implies people’s love for a particular region in
preference to the country and in certain cases in preference to the state of which the region is a
part. For Example, in India people identify themselves based on their states like a Tamilian, a
Bengali, a Bihari etc, more than the identity of an ‘Indian’.
Regionalism is the expression of a common sense of identity and purpose by people within a
specific geographical region, united by its unique language, culture, etc.
In a positive sense, it encourages people to develop a sense of brotherhood and oneness
which seeks to protect the interests of a particular region and promotes the welfare and
development of the state and its people.
In the negative sense, it implies excessive attachment to one’s region which is a great threat
to the unity and integrity of the country.
Examples:
MNS targeting North Indians in Maharashtra (2008)
Khalistan Movement (1980s)
Attacks on Bihar labourers by ULFA in Assam (2003)
Demand for Bodoland, Marathwada
Types of Regionalism:
Demand for Demanding secession from Indian Union Mizo National Front(Lushei
State Autonomy: and become independent sovereign Hills of Assam), Nagaland
state. Socialist Conference (Naga
Hills District of Assam)
Supra-state form of expression of group identity of Grouping of North Eastern
Regionalism some states. Some states unite to take a states for greater access to
common stand on the issues of mutual economic dev. , Dravida Nadu
interest. No permanent merger of demand prior to
identity of states into identity of groups. reorganization of states
Basis of Regionalism
Geographical Usually people relate to their regional identities North eastern states feel
Factors: to certain geographical boundaries. Today, alienated owning to problems
geographical factors are more closely tied to of connectivity with Indian
factors that determine economic growth and mainland
prosperity.
Historical and History : provides ideological bases through Demand for Dravida Nadu was
Social Basis: cultural heritage, folklore, myths and based on theory that Dravidian
symbolism. However alone History is not much a speaking area once had non-
serious factor. It is combined with economic and brahminical polity.
political factors to generate regionalism. Tamil nationalism was based on
idealization of ancient Tamil
history.
Language: Capacity to unite people. It can State Reorganisation in 1956.
strengthen a positive mvmt. as well as impart Demand for Gorkhaland in
divisive tendencies. North-East etc.
Impact of Regionalism
Government Steps
Constitutional Safeguards:
Provisions of 5th and 6th Schedule to constrain ethnic separatism and tribal alienation in
different regions esp. in North East.
Preamble, Article 51A talk about fraternity.
Govt. has become more receptive to the creation of an autonomous regional council or
district council
Major languages in 8th schedule to accommodate various dialects
Granting official recognition to culturally significant languages of the state as the
language of education and official transaction
Formation of NITI Aayog to enhance cooperative federalism using bottom up approach
Schemes like ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ to celebrate unity in diversity culture and strengthen
National unity
Way Forward
1. The appeals made to electorate by political parties based on regional identity must be
stopped.
2. Development of underdeveloped, backward regions and naxal hit areas must become a
priority to avoid discontent of people.
3. Hockey, our National Game, should be revived too become a symbol of national unity on the
lines of cricket
4. Cultural sensitization programs must be taken up in colleges to avoid hatred based on
regions and promote friendship among students
5. The role of National Integration council must be revamped to solve conflicting regional
aspirations
6. Developing Hindi as a lingua franca among all Indians should be achieved in a peaceful
and non-coercive manner
Secularism ($)
Definition:
Background:
Indian Secularism vs Western Secularism
Distinctive Features of Indian Seculaism
Secularisation vs Secularism
Uniform Civil Code
Triple Talaq
Entry Movement’s to Places of Religious Worship ked by Women’s organizations
Definition
$ is a principle which advocates separation of religion from politics. However, in Indian polity,
concept of ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhava’ is followed which provides equal protection to all religions.
Importance of $ :
$ seeks to realize a society that is devoid of inter religious domination or intrareligious domination.
It promotes freedom within religions and equality between, as well as, within religions.
Soft vs Hard $
Soft $ Hard $
Calls for legal separation of religion & Calls for complete separation of
state religion & state
Tolerant of religion and religious may even be seen as hostility
differences, and favors political towards organized religion in
accommodation of the religion while general.
rejecting the state interference that Seen in France.
may undermine religious freedom. Eg: Banning of face covering niqabs
Seen in USA. and burqas in France.
Eg: No school prayer, No Government
funds to religious bodies, etc.
Indian $ vs Western $
In west, strict separation of Church and religion is the focus while in India , peaceful co-existence of
all religions is the focus.
Indian $ Western $
Equal Protection by State to all religions Complete separation of State and religion
Both mutually exclusive in their domains
Equal focus on inter religious and intra religious It interprets freedom & equality in an
equality individualist manner
For ex: Ex: If Women are denied entry in temples.
Intra-religious: State can interfere if entry of State can’t do much
women in temples is not allowed
It not only deals with religious freedom of There is little scope for community based rights
individuals but also minority communities also or minority based rights
It promotes state sponsored reforms on No place for state sponsored reform
religious sphere on equal footing
Concept of Principled Distance: Indian secularism allows for principled state intervention in all
religions. Such intervention betrays disrespect to some aspects of every religion. For example,
religiously sanctioned caste-hierarchies are not acceptable within Indian secularism. The secular
state does not have to treat every aspect of every religion with equal respect. It allows equal
disrespect for some aspects of organised religions.
Promotes not only inter religious equality ( i.e., equal rights for all citizens irrespective of their
religious preferences, along with added protection for religious minorities) but also intra
religious equality ( by ensuring that one sect of a religion does not dominate over other).
State intervention into religious matters to curb social evils and give way to progressive voices.
Ex: Abolition of untouchability, demand for uniform civil code, Hindu Marriage Act etc.
At the same time, the Indian ideal of secularism clearly cautions against allowing religion to
interfere in state matters, thereby disallowing mobilizing the electorate on religious lines for
winning elections on one hand
1. Shirur Mutt case, 1954: ‘Doctrine of essentiality’ was coined by the Supreme Court. Here the
court opined that only the religious practices which were essential and integral to the religion
shall be protected. Applied in Ayodhya Case,1994 and Sabrimala Case, 2018
2. Keshvananda Bharati Case: deemed Secularism as Basic Structure of Indian Consti.
3. Stanislaus vs State of Madhya Pradesh(1977): SC held that Right to Propagate religion doesn’t
include right to forcible conversion as it may disturb public order
Constitutional Provisions Regarding $ in India:
Art. 44 of Indian Const.: State shall endeavor to secure for all its citizens a uniform civil code throughout
the territory of India. UCC seeks to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each
major religious community in India with a common set of rules governing every citizen
Conclusion The UCC must carve a balance between the protection of fundamental rights
and religious dogmas of individuals. It should be a code, which is just and proper
without any bias with regards to religious and political considerations.
Communalism