Regionalism, language and diversity

What to remember

• India reorganised its states mainly on the basis of language. Andhra State (1953) was the first linguistic state. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 created the main map of states.
• Regionalism is attachment to a region. It can be healthy love of one's region, or it can become a demand against the nation and other regions. Sub-regionalism is the same feeling inside a state.
• The Constitution balances Hindi, English and regional languages. Eighth Schedule languages, the three-language formula and minority language safeguards help keep unity in diversity.

India's diversity

India has many languages, religions, castes, tribes, foods and customs. People speak languages from several families, mainly Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman. Diversity is a strength, but it needs good management. Nehru called India's spirit "unity in diversity". The Constitution builds unity through one citizenship, one Constitution, a common judiciary and fundamental rights for everyone.

Linguistic reorganisation of states

Before 1947, provinces were drawn by the British for convenience. After Independence, the demand for states based on language grew strong.

The SRC said that language should be one factor but not the only one. Unity of the country, finance and administration were also to be considered. The 7th Constitutional Amendment (1956) gave effect to the new map.

Andhra and Telangana as examples of statehood politics

The following facts are given without taking any side.

• Telugu speakers had spoken for a separate state since the early twentieth century. The Sri Bagh Pact of 1937 was an agreement between Andhra and Rayalaseema leaders.
• After the 1956 merger, a "Gentlemen's Agreement" gave safeguards to the Telangana region in jobs, education and funds.
• Mulki rules gave local people preference in jobs in Hyderabad State. Movements in 1969 (Telangana) and 1972 (Jai Andhra) expressed regional demands.
• The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 created Telangana as a new state, effective 2 June 2014. Hyderabad was made a shared capital for a period of up to ten years.
• Andhra Pradesh is developing Amaravati as its capital city.

These events show how regional feeling, development gaps, and political bargaining shape states.

Regionalism

Regionalism is a feeling of attachment to a region based on language, culture, history or economy. It can take three forms:

• 1. Love of region: Pride in the region's culture. It is harmless and can support national unity.
• 2. Demand for autonomy or statehood: Demand for more powers or a new state through democratic means.
• 3. Separatism: Demand to leave India. This is a threat to national unity.

Causes of regionalism: Geographic isolation; economic backwardness and uneven development; linguistic and cultural identity; political use by leaders; neglect of a region; migration pressure (the "sons of the soil" idea).

Examples: Assam movement (against illegal migration); Shiv Sena's early nativist demands in Maharashtra; Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu; Telangana and Jai Andhra movements.

Sub-regionalism is the demand within a state for a separate state or special treatment, such as Vidarbha, Bodoland, Gorkhaland and Bundelkhand.

Effects: Regionalism can help federal balance, local development and cultural pride. But it can also cause inter-state disputes (water, borders), violence against migrants and demands that hurt national unity.

Remedies: Balanced regional development; Zonal Councils; the Inter-State Council (Article 263); sharing of power; strong national integration programmes; recognising regional languages; fair finance commission transfers.

Language policy

The three-language formula was recommended in the 1960s: the mother tongue or regional language, Hindi, and English (and in Hindi areas a modern Indian language, preferably southern). The Kothari Commission supported it. It has been applied unevenly, and some states resisted Hindi. Tamil Nadu saw strong anti-Hindi agitation in the mid-1960s.

Classical language status has been given to Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu and Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013) and Odia (2014). More languages have been added in recent years (check the latest official release). Telugu is an Eighth Schedule language and is also the official language of Andhra Pradesh.

Linguistic diversity and its challenges

India has hundreds of mother tongues, and many of them are spoken by small groups. A language is different from a dialect, but the line between them is often political. Language is a strong base of identity, and so language policy can calm or inflame feelings.

Main challenges:

• Fear in non-Hindi regions that Hindi will be imposed on them.
• Fear among Hindi speakers that regional languages are not treated with respect.
• Linguistic minorities inside a state, such as Telugu speakers in border areas of neighbouring states, who need schooling in their mother tongue.
• Small languages without scripts, which are at risk of dying out.

Good practices include respecting all languages, using the mother tongue in early school years, translating government forms into regional languages, and allowing citizens to submit grievances to officials in any language used in the Union or the state (Article 350). The Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (Article 350B) reports to the President on how safeguards are working.

Migration and nativity issues

Migration is the movement of people for work, education, marriage, or safety.

Article 19(1)(d) and (e) give citizens the right to move freely and settle in any part of India. Local groups sometimes demand jobs and land for "locals", which creates the nativity conflict. States may use domicile rules in some cases, but these must be consistent with the Constitution. Migration also brings remittances, new skills and cultural exchange.

National integration

• The National Integration Council (1961) was set up to fight communalism, casteism, regionalism and linguism.
• Five Zonal Councils were created by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 for cooperation among states.
• A Union government scheme links states in cultural exchange (check the latest name of the programme).
• Common festivals, national symbols, the railways, the media and sports also strengthen unity.

Exam traps

• Andhra State (1953) and Andhra Pradesh (1956) are different; the first linguistic state was Andhra State.
• Dar Commission (1948) and SRC (Fazl Ali, 1953) are different; Dar did not support language alone.
• Telangana became a state in 2014 under the AP Reorganisation Act, not in 1956.
• Article 343 is for Hindi as the Union's official language; Article 351 is its promotion.
• Article 350A is mother-tongue primary education; Article 350B is the Special Officer.
• The Eighth Schedule lists recognised languages; it does not name the official language.
• Regionalism is not the same as separatism.
• Zonal Councils are statutory, created by the SRA 1956; the Inter-State Council is constitutional (Article 263).

One-liners

• The first linguistic state was Andhra State (1953).
• Potti Sriramulu died on fast in December 1952.
• The SRC was headed by Fazl Ali.
• The SRA 1956 abolished the A, B, C, D categories of states.
• Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956.
• Bombay State split into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.
• Punjab and Haryana were split in 1966.
• Telangana was created on 2 June 2014.
• Hindi in Devanagari is the Union official language.
• The Eighth Schedule has 22 languages.
• Telugu got classical status in 2008.
• Article 350A is for mother-tongue instruction.

Practice questions

1. Which was the first state of India formed on a linguistic basis?

   1. Gujarat
   2. Kerala
   3. Maharashtra
   4. Andhra State
   Answer

   D. Andhra State

   Andhra State was formed on 1 October 1953.

2. Who died after a fast for a separate Andhra State in 1952?

   1. Pattabhi Sitaramayya
   2. T. Prakasam
   3. Potti Sriramulu
   4. N. Sanjiva Reddy
   Answer

   C. Potti Sriramulu

   His death in December 1952 led to the formation of Andhra State.

3. Who was the chairman of the States Reorganisation Commission (1953)?

   1. S.K. Dar
   2. K.M. Panikkar
   3. H.N. Kunzru
   4. Fazl Ali
   Answer

   D. Fazl Ali

   Fazl Ali chaired it; Panikkar and Kunzru were members.

4. Which commission of 1948 advised against forming states only on the basis of language at that time?

   1. Dar Commission
   2. Fazl Ali Commission
   3. Sarkaria Commission
   4. Kothari Commission
   Answer

   A. Dar Commission

   The S.K. Dar Commission cautioned against reorganisation on language alone.

5. The States Reorganisation Act came into force in

   1. 1950
   2. 1956
   3. 1960
   4. 1953
   Answer

   B. 1956

   It re-formed the states and ended the A, B, C, D categories.

6. Andhra Pradesh was formed on

   1. 2 June 2014
   2. 1 November 1956
   3. 26 January 1950
   4. 1 October 1953
   Answer

   B. 1 November 1956

   Andhra State merged with Telugu areas of Hyderabad State.

7. Which town was the capital of Andhra State in 1953?

   1. Hyderabad
   2. Guntur
   3. Kurnool
   4. Vijayawada
   Answer

   C. Kurnool

   Kurnool served as the capital of Andhra State.

8. Bombay State was split into Maharashtra and Gujarat in

   1. 1960
   2. 1966
   3. 1956
   4. 1953
   Answer

   A. 1960

   The split took place on 1 May 1960.

9. Haryana was carved out of Punjab in

   1. 1956
   2. 1960
   3. 1971
   4. 1966
   Answer

   D. 1966

   Punjab was reorganised in 1966.

10. Telangana was formed as a separate state under the

    1. Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
    2. States Reorganisation Act, 1956
    3. Official Languages Act, 1963
    4. Constitution (7th Amendment) Act
    Answer

    A. Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014

    The Act led to the new state from 2 June 2014.

11. The Sri Bagh Pact of 1937 was an agreement between leaders of

    1. Tamil Nadu and Kerala
    2. Punjab and Haryana
    3. Assam and Bengal
    4. Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema
    Answer

    D. Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema

    It dealt with the sharing of benefits between coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

12. Which Article makes Hindi in Devanagari script the official language of the Union?

    1. Article 350A
    2. Article 351
    3. Article 343
    4. Article 345
    Answer

    C. Article 343

    Article 343 declares Hindi the Union's official language.

13. Which Article directs the Union to promote the spread of Hindi?

    1. Article 350B
    2. Article 351
    3. Article 343
    4. Article 29
    Answer

    B. Article 351

    Article 351 deals with the development of Hindi.

14. Facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage are covered under

    1. Article 351
    2. Article 347
    3. Article 350A
    4. Article 350B
    Answer

    C. Article 350A

    Article 350A applies to linguistic minority children.

15. A Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is provided in

    1. Article 350A
    2. Article 345
    3. Article 29
    4. Article 350B
    Answer

    D. Article 350B

    This officer reports on safeguards to the President.

16. How many languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule at present?

    1. 22
    2. 24
    3. 18
    4. 14
    Answer

    A. 22

    The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages.

17. The three-language formula usually includes

    1. Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit
    2. Only English and French
    3. Mother tongue or regional language, Hindi and English
    4. Telugu, Tamil and Kannada only
    Answer

    C. Mother tongue or regional language, Hindi and English

    The formula promotes the mother tongue, Hindi and English.

18. Telugu was granted the status of a classical language in

    1. 2005
    2. 2008
    3. 2013
    4. 2004
    Answer

    B. 2008

    Telugu and Kannada were declared classical in 2008.

19. Which language was the first to be declared a classical language?

    1. Malayalam
    2. Tamil
    3. Telugu
    4. Sanskrit
    Answer

    B. Tamil

    Tamil was declared classical in 2004.

20. Sub-regionalism refers to

    1. Demands for separate status within a state
    2. Demand for foreign aid
    3. Demands to leave India
    4. Protest against taxes
    Answer

    A. Demands for separate status within a state

    Examples include demands for Vidarbha and Gorkhaland.

21. The Assam movement of the 1980s was mainly directed against

    1. Land reforms
    2. Language change
    3. Dam building
    4. Illegal migration
    Answer

    D. Illegal migration

    It was a movement against illegal migrants.

22. The 'sons of the soil' idea refers to

    1. Claiming priority for local people in jobs and resources
    2. Love for soil conservation
    3. Support for farmers' prices
    4. Land reform for all
    Answer

    A. Claiming priority for local people in jobs and resources

    This idea can lead to nativity conflicts with migrants.

23. Which Article gives citizens the right to move freely throughout India?

    1. Article 30
    2. Article 19(1)(d)
    3. Article 25
    4. Article 21
    Answer

    B. Article 19(1)(d)

    Article 19(1)(d) gives freedom of movement; 19(1)(e) gives residence.

24. The National Integration Council was set up in

    1. 1950
    2. 1975
    3. 1956
    4. 1961
    Answer

    D. 1961

    The NIC was formed to counter communalism, casteism, regionalism and linguism.

25. Zonal Councils were created by the

    1. Official Languages Act
    2. Constitution Article 263
    3. States Reorganisation Act, 1956
    4. Inter-State Water Disputes Act
    Answer

    C. States Reorganisation Act, 1956

    They are statutory bodies set up in 1956.

26. The Inter-State Council is provided for in

    1. Article 280
    2. Article 356
    3. Article 263
    4. Article 262
    Answer

    C. Article 263

    Article 263 allows the President to set up such a council.

27. Which of the following is a push factor of migration?

    1. Better schools in a town
    2. Drought and unemployment
    3. Higher wages in a city
    4. Good hospitals elsewhere
    Answer

    B. Drought and unemployment

    Push factors force people to leave their homes.

28. A person who moves to another state for better wages is influenced by a

    1. Pull factor
    2. Colonial factor
    3. Linguistic factor
    4. Push factor
    Answer

    A. Pull factor

    Better wages attract migrants.

29. Which of the following movements was against Hindi in the mid-1960s?

    1. Assam movement
    2. Telangana agitation
    3. Chipko movement
    4. Anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu
    Answer

    D. Anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu

    Tamil Nadu saw strong protests against Hindi imposition.

30. The Official Languages Act, 1963 allows

    1. Ban on English
    2. Hindi only for all states
    3. Sanskrit for courts
    4. Continued use of English along with Hindi
    Answer

    D. Continued use of English along with Hindi

    English continues for official use alongside Hindi.

31. Which pair is correctly matched?

    1. Bodoland - Punjab
    2. Gorkhaland - Kerala
    3. Vidarbha - Maharashtra
    4. Bundelkhand - Tamil Nadu
    Answer

    C. Vidarbha - Maharashtra

    Vidarbha is a region in Maharashtra; the other pairs are wrong.

32. Hyderabad, under the 2014 Act, was made a shared capital for a period of up to

    1. Two years
    2. Ten years
    3. Fifteen years
    4. Five years
    Answer

    B. Ten years

    The Act gave a period of up to ten years.

33. Statements: 1. Andhra State was formed in 1953. 2. Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1953. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956.

34. Statements: 1. Regionalism is always a threat to national unity. 2. Regionalism can take the form of cultural pride. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Regionalism can be harmless pride, so statement 1 is wrong.

35. Statements about the SRC: 1. It was headed by Fazl Ali. 2. It recommended that language should be the only basis of reorganisation. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The SRC treated language as one factor along with unity and finance.

36. Statements about the Eighth Schedule: 1. It names the official language of every state. 2. It lists recognised languages. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    It lists languages; states choose their own official language under Article 345.

37. Statements about Zonal Councils: 1. They were created by Parliament through the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. 2. They are constitutional bodies listed in Article 263. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Zonal Councils are statutory, while the Inter-State Council is in Article 263.

38. Statements about language safeguards: 1. Article 350A concerns mother-tongue teaching at primary level. 2. Article 350B provides a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. 3. Article 351 is on Special Officers. Which are correct?

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Answer

    A. 1 and 2 only

    Article 351 is about the development of Hindi.

39. Match the movement with its region. 1. Jai Andhra a. Andhra 2. Dravidian movement b. Tamil Nadu 3. Assam movement c. Assam

    1. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
    2. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
    3. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
    4. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
    Answer

    D. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c

    All three are correctly matched in the first option.

40. Match the year with the event. 1. 1953 a. Andhra State formed 2. 1956 b. States Reorganisation Act 3. 1966 c. Punjab split

    1. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
    2. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
    3. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
    4. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
    Answer

    C. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c

    These dates are matched correctly in the first option.

41. Match the demand with its type. 1. Love for regional culture a. Healthy regionalism 2. Demand for a new state through legal means b. Autonomy demand 3. Demand to secede from India c. Separatism

    1. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
    2. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
    3. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
    4. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
    Answer

    D. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c

    Each demand is matched to its right type.

42. Which step best helps reduce regional imbalance and discontent?

    1. Ending the Finance Commission
    2. Banning regional languages
    3. Balanced development of backward regions
    4. Closing inter-state borders
    Answer

    C. Balanced development of backward regions

    Even development reduces feelings of neglect.

43. A child of a linguistic minority is taught in the mother tongue at primary level because of

    1. Article 124
    2. Article 350A
    3. Article 343
    4. Article 368
    Answer

    B. Article 350A

    Article 350A directs states to provide such facilities.

44. India's 'unity in diversity' is mainly supported by

    1. Ban on festivals
    2. One religion
    3. Single language for all
    4. One citizenship and a common Constitution
    Answer

    D. One citizenship and a common Constitution

    Common constitutional institutions bind diverse communities.

45. Which of the following can be a positive effect of migration for the source area?

    1. Soil erosion
    2. More drought
    3. Remittances and new skills
    4. Lower literacy
    Answer

    C. Remittances and new skills

    Migrants send money home and bring back skills.