Regionalism in India is the politics of perceived neglect of resources, identity and recognition. Discuss with reference to demands for sub-state autonomy, river-water disputes and the Sixth Schedule areas.
Subtopic: Indian Society · Regionalism
How to structure your answer
Introduction: Distinguish regionalism (loyalty to a sub-national region) from secessionism. Frame three forms: linguistic/cultural, resource-based, identity-based.
Body — three dimensions: (1) Sub-state autonomy — Telangana statehood 2 June 2014 after agitation since 1969; Vidarbha, Bodoland, Gorkhaland; Article 371-A through 371-J special provisions. (2) Resource disputes — Cauvery (Karnataka–Tamil Nadu), Krishna (Telangana–Andhra), Mahanadi (Odisha–Chhattisgarh), Sutlej-Yamuna Link (Punjab–Haryana). (3) Sixth Schedule — Bodoland Territorial Region 2003, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council; Ladakh's demand for Sixth Schedule status since 2019.
Conclusion: Linguistic federalism (Fazl Ali Commission 1955), the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and the Sixth Schedule are the constitutional answers — they manage regionalism but cannot dissolve the grievances that fuel it.
Written within the word limit
138 words · target 150 words · 9 min
Introduction: Regionalism, distinct from secessionism, is loyalty to a sub-national region rooted in perceived neglect of resources, identity or recognition; it takes linguistic, resource-based and identity-based forms.
Body: Sub-state autonomy is the first form: Telangana, India's 29th state, was created on 2 June 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014, after agitation since 1969; Vidarbha, Bodoland and Gorkhaland demands continue; Articles 371-A to 371-J grant special provisions to Nagaland, Mizoram and Hyderabad-Karnataka. Resource disputes form the second: Cauvery (Karnataka–Tamil Nadu, Supreme Court 2018 award), Krishna, Mahanadi and the Sutlej-Yamuna Link sustain inter-state friction under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956. Identity-based regionalism animates the Sixth Schedule — Bodoland Territorial Region (2003, expanded 2020), Karbi Anglong, and Ladakh's demand for Sixth Schedule status since 2019.
Conclusion: The Fazl Ali Commission (1955) framework manages regionalism; it does not dissolve the grievances of resource and recognition that fuel it.
What an examiner expects to see
- Telangana created 2 June 2014, 29th state
- Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
- Bodoland Territorial Region constituted 2003, expanded 2020 Accord
- Article 371-A (Nagaland), 371-G (Mizoram), 371-J (Hyderabad-Karnataka)
- Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal 1990; Supreme Court 2018 final award
- Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal — Supreme Court 2002 verdict
- Ladakh demand for Sixth Schedule, post-Article 370 abrogation 2019
- Sixth Schedule covers Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram
- Fazl Ali Commission Report, 30 September 1955
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- Telangana statehood movement led by K. Chandrashekar Rao
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), 2011
- Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Assam
- Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal, 2018
- Marathi-Kannada Belgaum border dispute