Subject: GS 1
Syllabus: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism & Secularism.
Questions
- What do you mean by regionalism and federalism in the context of the Indian polity? Discuss the causes of regionalism and what are its positive and negative impacts. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
- Though India is largely a peace-loving nation. Cases of communalisation of Indian society surface now and then. What are the factors behind it? Elaborate on the steps needed to ensure harmony and tolerance. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
1. What do you mean by regionalism and federalism in the context of the Indian polity? Discuss the causes of regionalism and what are its positive and negative impacts. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- Regionalism indicates common feature, idea and purpose among people living in a specific geographical region with language, culture, customs etc playing a unifying role. It helps foster brotherhood which protects interests of a particular region.
- Federalism denotes vertical division of power in a polity which gives voice to all units no matter how small they are and cools down any untoward event which might have resulted due to regionalism.
Main Body
Reasons behind growing regionalism
- Unabated neglect of a region and imbalanced development, even if it is rich in natural resources, result in a sense of injustice and divisive tendencies. Like areas of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh are mineral-rich but lag in development.
- In many regions, there is a sense of geographical isolation and historical deprivation that fosters son-of-the-soil ideology.
- Trickle-down or top-down approach for development is not a proper strategy, which has more than often resulted in prosperity of one region at cost of other regions.
- Homogenization of an idea or development strategy that might conflict with the way of living of some people like tribes, has the potential to cause regionalism.
- Language is a strong glue that holds people together but creates sharp divides between people of different languages. This was seen in world wars and at the regional level also, it can be disastrous.
Thus, regionalism can be allowed to foster but its negative impacts need to be checked. Some of the positive impacts include-
- Many regional issues are likely to be neglected if there is the same party at the centre and the states. But regionalism attracts the focus of lawmakers on local issues and results in holistic development.
- It is important for good governance and ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ as it results in better planning, efficient infrastructure and timely delivery of goods.
- The rise of regional parties is a result of positive regionalism, which is good for cooperative and collaborative democracy. People in a region will more likely vote for a native person and this prevents dominance of one political party.
- It fosters a sense of pride and responsibility and helps in conserving and promoting soft power.
But there are some negative impacts of regionalism also which include-
- At times there is clash of passions between two regions which result in deterioration of law and order, violent agitations and anarchy.
- It can result in extreme situations like militancy, insurgency and extremism and can be a threat to internal security.
- An extreme form is parochial regionalism which can threaten sovereignty and lead to secession which was seen in Punjab in the 1980s due to growth of the Khalistan movement.
- Regionalism may also cut across borders like in the North East across the border with Myanmar which can be a hindrance in international diplomacy.
- It also promotes divisive and vote- bank politics which further weakens national integration. It threatens the notion of 'Unity in Diversity'.
Conclusion
- A system of national education can help overcome feelings of regionalism and help foster brotherhood as a solution to sub-nationalism. Regionalism is not an anti-national phenomenon per se but it should not be militant or secessionist.
2. Though India is largely a peace-loving nation. Cases of communalisation of Indian society surface now and then. What are the factors behind it? Elaborate on the steps needed to ensure harmony and tolerance. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction:
- Communalism is a feeling of strong allegiance to one’s ethnic group rather than to society as a whole. The basis of allegiance may be: such as language, ethnicity, region, religion etc. In India, communalism as a social phenomenon is based on mutual religious hatred.
Main Body:
- Recent incidents
- Hubballi city in north Karnataka saw a communal flare-up recently, the trigger being an inflammatory social media post.
- Communal clashes broke out in northwest Delhi’s Jahangirpuri recently during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.
- Factors responsible for the growth of Communalism in India:
- Economic: Poverty:
- Mass poverty and unemployment create a sense of frustration among the people. It generates backwardness, illiteracy, ignorance, etc.
- The unemployed youth of both communities can be easily trapped by religious fundamentalists and fanatics. They are used by them to cause communal riots. The weak economic status often breeds communalism.
- Economic: Poverty:
- Historic:
- British rule: On the basis of the “Two-Nation” theory of Jinnah, India was partitioned. The “Divide and Rule” policy of the British Government served their colonial interest. The partition of India was the outcome of their politics.
- Presence of Communal Parties: Religion in India has become an important agency of political socialisation. A number of communal and sectarian political parties and organisations are present in India. Muslim League, Jamaat—e—Islami, Hindu Mahasabha, Akali Dal, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are directly or indirectly responsible for the emergence of communalism.
- Isolation of Muslims: Indian Muslims have developed a tendency of isolationism even long after the creation of Pakistan. They remain aloof from the mainstream of national politics.
- Hindu Chauvinism: The growth of Hindu chauvinistic attitudes have further strengthened the communal tensions in India. The Hindu religious groups like Shiv Sena, Hindu Mahasabha, and Vishwa Hindu Parisad often pressurise the government to take steps suitable to the interest of Hindus.
- Social Cause:
- The two major communities of India have been suspicious of each other. The Muslims complain about the threat of the Hindu majority.
- Cross-Border factors: Communal tensions in India are sometimes highly intensified due to the rule of two neighbouring theocratic countries. These countries try to create communal problems in the border states. The communal problems of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir are caused due to the provocation of Pakistan.
- Political: Both the Union and the State Governments often fail to prevent communalism in the country. Due to a lack of prior information, they fail to take any preventive measures. Also cases of vote bank politics.
- Steps to check the growth of Communalism:
- Economic:
- Poverty is one of the major factors for communal violence. Poverty alleviation measures are thus important for promoting communal harmony.
- Eradicating the problem of unemployment among the youths, illiteracy and poverty and that too with honesty and without any discrimination.
- Reducing the educational and economic backwardness of minorities like Muslims.
- This can uplift their socio-economic status and reduce their deprivation compared to Hindus (Sachar Committee).
- Social:
- The religious leaders and preachers should promote rational and practical things through religion promoting peace and security.
- Children in schools must be taught through textbooks and pamphlets to maintain brotherhood and respect for all religions
- Creating awareness in the society about the ill effects of communism through mass media
- Political:
- Political communism should be avoided recent Supreme court’s directives
- Identification and mapping of riot prone areas. For Example, Delhi police used drones to monitor to maintain vigil during communal festivals
- Media, movies and other cultural platforms can be influential in promoting peace and harmony.
- Social Media should be monitored for violent and repulsive content and taken off immediately.
- Economic:
- Recommendations of the Committee on National Integration
- Joint celebration of community festivals
- Observing restraint by Hindus while taking processions before the mosques
- Formation of peace and brotherhood communities at the local level to prevent anti-social elements from engaging in communal riots
- Respect for religious customs, rituals and practices
Conclusion:
- Jawaharlal Nehru had pointed out the issue and termed it as the greatest danger. And so he said that anyone who loves India would hate communalism and anyone who hates India would love communalism.
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