Regionalism is described to be the sense of belongingness and attachment of a person to a region and the sense of loyalty to it, collective identity of people to the geography, language, culture/ethnicity or even economical interest. In India, it was regionalism that has welded it together as well as the same has divided India. As much as it diminishes transnational identities, uncontrolled regionalism can at times act out to undermine national integrity.

Evolving Regionalism in India

• Colonial Period The British had policies of uneven growth, regional inequalities were established on a deep level, leading to regional identities.
• Post-Independence:
• Agitation to have linguistic reorganization of states: This fruit achieved by demand of linguistic reorganization of states had started off in the 1950s by the hunger strike of Potti Sriramalu (1952), and then culminated in the creation of Andhra Pradesh, and later the States Reorganization Act, 1956.
• 2000s: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand were carved out (2000).
• 2014: Formation of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh with complaints of regional ignorance in developing and governance.

Causes of Regionalism

• Linguistic and Cultural Identity- Dravidian movements in Tamil Nadu on the basis of language pride.
• Ethnocentrism -Natives claiming authenticity to issues about the place they live i.e. Marathi Manoos in Maharashtra.
• Tribal Identity- Demand to maintain tribal identity and handle socio and economical negligence of Jharkhand.
• Unequal Distribution of Resources-In Darjeeling GNLF because of the lack of resources that are unequally distributed in South Bengal.
• Development and Administrative Problems - Telangana movement because of disparities in development and in-attention to governance.

Effects of Regionalism

Positive Impact

• Federalism: Instigates states to take their independent stand, becoming more democratic on the federal level.
• Greater Political Representation: Regional and local concerns are put on the agenda.
• Cultural Diversity: Encourages multicultural and multiethnic background of India.
• Democratic Enforcement of Local Expression of Will: Violent secessionism grows with regional non-recognition of veterans.

Negative Impact

• Potentially dangerous to National Unity: May provide separatist or secessionist leanings.
• Bias & Discrimination: “Son of the Soil” ideology which typically results in attacks on migrants (e.g, targeted attacks on laborers).
• Political Fragmentation: The unstable coalition politics can be brought by the rising of regional parties.
• Regional vs. National Interests: Interests of the region may be overruled by national development interests.

Way Forward

• National Unity: Encourage national identity by educating and creating awareness.
• Cultural Composure: Enhance such initiatives as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat to make cultural exchanges among states.
• Empowering Federalism: Favour cooperative federalism and devolution and preserve the integrity of the nation.
• Inclusive Development: Stem the gaps between different regions in the country via economic-specific programs, investment in infrastructure, and creation of employment.
• Moderation in Union Overreach: Union Government must not overstep it Marks as state autonomy not allowed except where it comes to national interest.

Conclusion

Regionalism in India is a two-edged phenomenon. Although it safeguards cultural identities and enhances democracy, excessive regionalism can destroy national integrity. The answer can be seen in inclusive growth, cooperative federalism and Indianness to promote the idea that the regional interests must be seen to be absorbed within the whole fabric of Indian nationalism. As India now aims to be a global power state it is important to have regionalism to work in a positive way and protect the spirit of Unity in Diversity.