Justify the statement that all regional …

With the Indian approach to diversity, different regions and linguistic groups have been granted the rights to retain their own culture. Our constitution makers decided that we should live a united social life without losing the destructiveness of numerous cultures in India. Thus, the principles of unity and diversity were balanced. However, inspite of such approach there have been regional movements in support of people’s aspirations. There were questions of political aspirations of the people of Kashmir valley and in some parts of the North-East, Punjab and in the South. There were mass agitations and movements in different parts of the country to express regional aspirations. Some of these movements lead to separatist demands. For example, in Kashmir separatist politics surfaced in 1989 when separatists raised the demand for a separate Kashmiri nation, independent of India and Pakistan. In Punjab, the more extreme elements advocated secession from India and the creation of ‘Khalistan’. In North-East region, the Mizo National Front started an armed campaign for independence.

In practice, the separatist demands were not fulfilled in Kashmir, Punjab and North-East region. On the other hand, no separatist demands were put forward by other regional movements. In Assam, the tribal communities demanded a tribal state to be carved out of Assam. This led to creation of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. The Assam movement from 1979 to 1985 was against ‘outsiders’ to protect their culture and against their backwardness. In all the above cases, the problem was solved within the constitutional framework.

Hence, it is very true to state that all regional movements need not lead to separatist demands.