In simple words Regionalism means attachment and love for some specific region in place of country and in certain matters for a particular region as compared to the state. Regionalism derives strength from geographical, religious, language, cultural, economic, political, historical and many other elements. The elements of diversity separate the people of a particular region from the people of total region and elements of disparity creates a sense of social and economic in justice in their minds. According to Prof. Maheshwari, diversity and disparity are the elements, which breed regionalism. Regionalist problems arise only when there is combination of two or more such factors as geographical isolation, independent historical traditionalism, social ethic religious peculiarities and local or class interests.

Regionalism occurs at three levels

a.   Supra State Level: where the group states demand for the separate statehood called the Supra State Level.

b.   Inter State Regionalism: State boundary is treated as a regional differentiation.

c.   Intra State Regionalism: This type of regionalism is between the states in itself called the intra state regionalism. For example, Saurashtra in Gujarat, Vidharabha in Maharashtra, Talangana in Andhra Pradesh.

After independence the tendencies of regionalism gathered strength and made is presence felt through organized movements and campaigns. First of all, Sh. Ramalu a Telgu leader went on fast whom death to press the demand for a separate on the basis of language and he expired in 1953. The government yielded to this demand and in 1953, Andhra Pradesh was organized on the basis of Telgu language. Thereafter, regionalism grew stronger and demands for organizing other states on the basis of language in 1956, but the feeling of regionalism did not die down. It continued to express itself from time to time in one form or the other.

Causes of Regionalism

Regionalism is not the legacy of the British rule. The provinces were organized from the administrative point of view and tendency of regionalism was absent that time. In 1920, the Indian National Congress organized itself on the basis of language and boundaries of their Provincial units were based on regional languages. The following elements have contributed to the growth of regionalism.

Firstly, due to vastness of geographical area, different units have assumed such a specific form that the feeling of separate identities has developed in them. These units share specific geographical problems, which bind them together. For example the geographical factors do operate in the feeling of regionalism in Uttranchal etc.

Secondly, Economic factor is considered the most important factor of regionalism in India, the developmental disparities and consequent dissatisfaction is expressed in the form of regionalism.

Thirdly, Regionalism is deeply linked with language people of different origin/regions demanded autonomous states on the basis of language. Language is considered a factor of regionalism. The movements launched in Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, Punjab and other states had language issues in it..

Fouthly, Ethnicity, has also deeply relation with regionalism. Different cultures can be seemed indifferent parts of India. Cultural heritage of people is diverse. During cultural diversity, the Tamils and Nagas demanded separate independent states from the Indian Union.

Fifthly, interst based Politics has also greatly contributed to the growth of regionalism. Shortly after independence struggle of power started between the leaders of different levels. In order to achieve their narrow and they started many regional movements.

Sixthly, When the people of particular religion are concentrated in a part or a region, their political aspirations can easily rise. The Sikhs have concentrated in Punjab, the Muslims in Jammu-Kashmir and the Christians in North-East states. Religion fanaticism produces in them the feeling of separation, which is the basis and gist of regionalism.

Lastly, Regionalism is a psychological event also. It is rooted in the minds of the people. Most of the people are deeply attached to their region or state. They place regional loyalty above national loyalty.

Consequences of Regionalism

The phenomenon of regionalism is seen both from a positive and negative angle.

As a problem , regionalism is widely present in politics. It is deeply related with issue of national integration. The narrow tendencies of regionalism may pose a threat to national sovereignty and integrity. Regionalism in India has given parties to many controversies and tensions in the field of politics and serious consequences have come out. The expression of regionalism is quite frequently in the form of various ethnic movements. Regional movements generally tend to be ethnic movements. These consequences are as follows.

(1) Demand for Secession from the Indian Union: The most dreadful consequences of regionalism came into force when some of the states and regions demanded the secede from the Indian Union and set up separate independent states. In 1960, Dravid Munnetra Kashagam (D.M.K.) launched a struggle in Madras with the objective of breathing away from India and set up of independent Tamil Nadu state. Similar to act the Madras, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Mysore state demanded this. Noticing the Secessionist tendencies in the country the govt made the 16th Constitutional amendments in 1963 empowering the parliament to frame such laws as could be used to punish those who posed a challenge to the Unity of Integration of India. Bendes, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, people of Mizo hills in Assam under the leadership of Mizo National Front and after thus, Jammu and Kashmir are carrying or armed struggle for the formulation of separate and independent state and (ULFA) in Assam are struggling for independent Assam.

(2) Demand for Separate States:  An outcome of this regionalism emerged in the shape of demand for separate states in many parts of the country. First of all two demands started in 1953 when Ramulu fast upto death. For the creation of a separate state on the basis of Telgu language. After the death of Ramula in 1953 the Central Govt. had to establish Andhra Pradesh, a separate state was based on language. After this, many states demanded for this, Bombay divided in 1960 in new states Gujarat and Maharashtra and in 1966. the Punjab and a new Hindi speaking state Haryana. The three new states based on Tribal and language are formed are the Uttaranchal from U.P., Chattisgarh from M.P., Jharkhand from the State of Bihar, Talangana in A.P. and Bodoland in West Bengal, agitation is going on for the demand for separate state.

(3) Demand for full-fledged States:  Another result of regionalism is the demand by the Centre Government regions. In 1962, the parliament made 14th amendment in the Constitution to make provisions for setting up assemblies for Union Territories of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Pondicherry, Goa and Daman –Diu but they were not satisfied they started demanding the status of full fledged state to Himachal Pradesh in 1971, Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya in 1972 and Goa in 1988. In December 1991, Narshimha Rao Govt. made 74th amendment in the Constitution and make Delhi National Territory under this amendment there was a provisions of 70-member assembly and 7-member cabinet for Delhi.

(4) Inter State Tensions: Inter State tensions are the result of narrow feeling of regionalism. Many disputes have arisen over the issue of territory, Cities, waters, river waters and power scheme. For example there is controversy between Maharashtra and Karnataka over the boundary areas. A controversy over Chandigarh, Punjabi-Hindi Speaking areas disputes between Punjab and Haryana has been going on rivers water disputes. A controversy over the Narmada water among Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

(5) Tensions between Centre and States : Regionalism has given rise to tensions between center and states. Regionalism is strong in those states, which are economically less developed. The center is often blamed by the states that while planning the requisite financial and is not provided to these states for economic growth and nor are they provided with basic facilities for industrial development. The state ruled by regional parties blame that step motherly treatment is meted out to them while sanctioning grants-in-aid to these states. These allegations are put on center by the govts of regional parties of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh complain that while distributing financial resources the center adopts a partial attitude.

(6) Formation of Regional Parties: Many regional parties have came into being in many states of India as a result of strong feeling of regionalism among the Akali Dal in Punjab the National Conference in Jammu & Kashmir and D.M.K. and A.D.M.K. in Tamil Nadu and Telgu Desham in Andhra Pradesh, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Haryana Vikas Party in Haryana. The main defect of the Regional parties give priorities to local regional interests over the national in terms.

(7) The Sons of the Soil Concept: In the feeling of regionalism gave birth to the concepts of “Sons of the Soil” which means the original inhabitants of the region have the right to the job opportunities in that region and they should get special protection. For example, the widespread agitation in Assam from 1979 to 1985 launched against the foreigners was based on the concept of “Son of Soil”. Now a days the echoes of Bengal from Bengali’s, Assam for Assamese, Maharashtra for Maharashtrians, Tamil Nadu for Tamil’s, Haryana for Haryanvis and Punjab for Punjabi’s are being heard and the narrow feeling of regionalism is responsible first.

Regionalism has a Positive aspect too, constructive regionalism is good for village, state, country because it has a good sense of high thinking. It held in better identification of problems and their solutions. It may keep a check on the policy at centre. Regionalism may also prevent the centre to favour a particular region and thereby helping balanced regional developments. Above all it makes democracy participative. Through the mediation of regional parties , the local people can effectively participate at national level.