What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional…

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What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Regionalism rests on language, ethnicity, history and political mobilisation, and unequal distribution of development benefits does eventually promote it where deprivation meets a distinct identity. Telangana's 2014 separation over water, funds and jobs, despite a shared Telugu language, is the clearest proof.

**Introduction**

Regionalism is the politicised sense of belonging to a territory whose people believe their language, culture or economic interest sets them apart. NITI Aayog's National MPI 2023 found about a third of Bihar's people multidimensionally poor in 2019-21 against under 1% in Kerala, making the economic root of regionalism hard to miss.

**Bases of Regionalism in India**

1. **Language and culture**: The linguistic reorganisation of 1956 and the Dravidian movement show language as the first marker of regional identity.
2. **Ethnicity and history**: Tribal identities drove the Naga and Mizo movements, and the memory of Nizam rule set Telangana apart.
3. **Political mobilisation**: Parties such as the DMK and Shiv Sena turned identity into a vote base, as Paul Brass's elite theory predicts.

**Uneven Development as a Driver of Regionalism**

SKETCH: flow | From Disparity to Demand
- Uneven development
- Relative deprivation
- Identity politicised
- Statehood demand

1. **Neglect breeds statehood**: Telangana's 2014 separation followed decades of grievance over the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956 and the slogan of water, funds and jobs, though Telugu was shared on both sides.
2. **Resource-rich, people-poor**: Mineral-rich Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, formed in 2000, saw their coal and iron flow out while tribal districts stayed poor.
3. **Prosperity also asserts**: Karnataka's February 2024 protest against its share of tax devolution shows richer states turning regionalist when shortchanged.
4. **Culture without deprivation**: Tamil linguistic assertion thrived in a relatively developed state.

**Conclusion**

Unequal development does eventually promote regionalism, most sharply where deprivation meets a distinct identity, though culture and politics can generate it alone. Fair fiscal transfers and balanced development within cooperative federalism can turn regional aspiration into national strength.

What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

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