Anti-Hindi stance and demands for separate state flags are increasingly reflecting the idea of subnationalism. Is this an opportunity for a plural democracy or a threat? Comment.
Manav 7 years
With the rise of nationalism, India is also witnessing the re-emergence of sub-nationalism as a political idea.
The recent incidents in the state of Karnataka where the state government is trying to legalize a separate state flag as well as protests against Hindi signboards in state capital city Metro are all pointing to the re-emergence of sub-nationalism.
Historically, the Nehru government who feared balkanization of India after the Independence was hesitant to organize states on the basis of language. But with the enactment of States Reorganization Act 1953, the linguistic organization of states was made possible. With it came the Officials Language Act 1963 that deferred the central government to make Hindi as the national language. The safeguard is also in the form of Part-XXI of the constitution for certain states and sub-states regions. Therefore, India offers creative solutions to subnational aspirations.
The accommodation of linguistic and cultural diversities, thereby promoting plural democracy does not merely help maintain the integrity of India's national boundary, but also promotes:
a. Social Outcome: The sub-nationalism is positively linked to social development as evident in the case of Kerala and Tamil Nadu when compared with Uttar Pradesh with little subnational solidarity.
b. Economic Development: As long as the states are knitted well into the fabric of one India, sub-nationalism is seen promoting competition between the states in terms of economic and social growth as well as in co-operative federalism, as regarded in the Economic Survey 2015-16.
c. Addresses State's concern: By promoting sub-nationalism without forging the values of Indian Constitution, will help maintain a loyal relationship between the state and the central government.
As long as sub-nationalism is not secessionist, it should be not be viewed as a threat but rather as a constitutive element of India's plural democracy.
IAS Parliament 7 years
· Historically, the freedom movement of India itself articulate a pluralistic idea demanding language based provinces and got its success in the enactment of States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
· Further, the Official Languages Act of 1963, which provided for the continued use of English for official purposes along with Hindi, even after 1965, ensured that Indian National identity is not homogeneous.
Constitutional Safeguards
· There are also certain group-based fundamental rights provided in the constitution, to ensure the safety of plural democracy such as,
· Article 29 and 30
· Special provisions for certain states and sub-state regions enumerated in Part XXI
· Fifth and sixth schedules give special institutional measures for the administration of areas with high scheduled tribe populations.
Opportunities of Plural Democracy
· Subnationalism is positively linked to social development.
· The accommodation of linguistic and cultural diversities does not merely help maintain the integrity of India’s national boundaries, but also promotes positive social outcomes.
· Greater the level of subnational solidarity, higher will be the State’s commitment to social welfare.
· Kerala’s success is the most striking example. Kerala and Tamil Nadu contrasts with Uttar Pradesh, a development laggard with little subnational solidarity helps to prove that subnationalism links to social development.
· With hyper-nationalism is on the rise, it is important to reassert the pluralistic character of the Indian nation state.
· While nationalism conventionally privileges one sociocultural identity over others, India’s pluralistic nationalism celebrates the coexistence of multiple identities.
· As long as subnationalism is not secessionist, or aimed at other sections of the population, it should not be viewed as a threat, but rather as a constitutive element of India’s plural democracy.
