Regionalism is the expression of a common sense of identity an | Mains

Regionalism is the expression of a common sense of identity and purpose within a specific geographical region, united by it‟s unique language, customs and rituals etc.


Regionalism:

● Positive sense: Develop sense of Brotherhood.

● Negative sense: Threat to integrity and unity of nation.

Regionalism: as a consequence of cultural assertiveness:

1. Breed hatred: People of an area considering themselves to be the part of a group uniting against those who do not form a part of the grouping.

Eg. Violence against the North East people in Bangalore due to distinct culture.

2. Son of the Soil Doctrine: Where certain people of an area claiming to be it‟s original inhabitants puts their claims for the available resources and demands the outsiders to not compete with them.

Eg. Demands like Maharashtra for Marathis

3. Demand for Separate State: To have an official area designated specifically to a group who is culturally similar.

Example: Demand for Bodoland in Assam, Vidarbha demand in Maharashtra

4. Rise of militants and fundamentalists: Eg. NSC in Nagaland, ULFA in Assam to protect cultural identity.


Above are the few examples of how regionalism is a consequence of cultural assertiveness. But it is to be noticed that it is not just cultural assertiveness that leads to a demand for regionalism, various other factors also fuels the demand for regionalism like:

1. Economy: Some areas are well developed, some are backward. The limited availability of employment options and resources leads to competition that‟s where people demand and feel that their resources are being taken away by outsiders.

2. Political: To have a strong political standing and a unique political identity.

3. Social: To have an unique social identity, protect one's custom,language etc.