• The very idea of India is revolving around ‘unity in diversity’ and ‘diversity in unity’. The Constitution of India binds the citizens of India into a secular, liberal and democratic value system.
• It guarantees equality, liberty and freedom to every citizen of the country. It should always be remembered that India is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country.
• However, there are certain forces which are taking advantage of such diversity and pose a threat to the unity of the country.

Regionalism

• A strong attachment to one's home region is known as regionalism. In India, for example, people identify themselves more as a Tamilian, a Bengali, a Bihari, and so on, rather than as a 'Indian.'
• Parochial regionalism is a threat to the nation's sovereignty.
• The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) anti-migrant or anti-Bihari position, which opposes the employment and residence of non-Maharashtrians in Maharashtra, is a notable example of negative regionalism.
• Beyond a certain extent, regionalism can lead to secessionism, as evidenced by the rise of Khalistani terrorism in Punjab.
• Vote-bank politics are frequently promoted by regionalism, which weakens national integration.
• If fostered in an extreme manner, regionalism has the potential to erode the time-tested fabric of 'Unity in Diversity.'
• Positive regionalism instils a sense of pride in one's heritage and culture.

Divisive politics

• India is a country that is home to a variety of political parties based on caste, language, geography, and personal appeal. These parties play a questionable role in the nation's disintegration. They put their own interests first, even if it means sacrificing the national interest.
• They uphold their own self-aggrandizing values and are preoccupied with accumulating wealth. They do not consider the national interest and continue to deceive the public with misleading propaganda and slogans in order to advance their interests.

Development imbalance

• The socioeconomic reality in India reveals a stark contrast between the "rich" and the "poor," a chasm between money and opulence on the one hand and abject poverty and cruel agony on the other, between haves and have-nots. As a result, there are two Indians living in India.
• Poverty forces the impoverished to engage in anti-national actions that are fatal to the preservation of national unity. They are unconcerned with national development and refuse to recognise government initiatives as evidence of their progress.
• Due to poverty, many young people chose to join anti-nationalist organisations such as the Naxalite and Maoist camps. This is not a good symptom for the world's largest democracy.

Ethnic differentiation and nativism

• Sectarianism is a challenge to national integration because it creates a chasm between different sects of people who share the same religion.
• On the one hand, there is a tussle and strife between Sunnis and Shias of the Muslim community and Kabir-panth and Gorakhpanth or Nirankaris and the Alkali Sikhs of the Sikh community.

Inter-religious conflicts

• Large-scale religious violence and riots have periodically occurred in India since its independence from British colonial rule. The aftermath of the Partition of India in 1947 to create a separate Islamic state of Pakistan for Muslims, saw large scale sectarian strife and bloodshed throughout the nation.
• Since then, India has witnessed sporadic large-scale violence sparked by underlying tensions between sections of the Hindu and Muslim communities. These conflicts also stem from the ideologies of hardline right-wing groups versus Islamic Fundamentalists and prevalent in certain sections of the population.
• Since independence, India has always maintained a constitutional commitment to secularism. The major incidences include the 1969 Gujarat riots, 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, 1989 Kashmir violence, Godhra train burning, 2002 Gujarat riots, 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and 2020 Delhi riots.

Inter-state conflicts

• When India started carving out states in 1953, the States Reorganisation Commission said “territorial readjustments between (states) should not assume the form of disputes between alien powers.”
• Yet, it is the panel’s 1955 report that, political scientists say, most inter-state disputes in the country trace their roots to. “Several inter-state border disputes have their roots in the reorganisation of states in the 1950s (which) was primarily based on language.
• As a result, there is a border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and so on.
• State identity was linked to language. So, if a pocket that spoke the majority language of, for instance, Maharashtra, was clubbed with Karnataka, it opened up the possibility of a future conflict.

Influence of external factors

• Terrorism is a serious danger to the country's unity and integration. Terrorism's major goal is to create an environment of acute fear psychosis, which destroys people's trust in the democratic system and government.
• Violence is a tool used to attain the goal of destabilising the country by instilling dread in the minds of ordinary people.
• Terrorism's rise can be traced back to historical, political, economic, and religious factors. Bombings, arsons, hijackings, kidnappings, killings, and maiming are just a few of the methods used to destabilise the country.
• State-sponsored terrorism is one of the most heinous forms of violence, with the goal of disrupting other countries' unity and stability.

Conclusion

• Unfortunately, the use of religion, caste and other such factors by the political parties to advance their political interests and capture power can create an atmosphere of hate and division among religious and caste groups.
• Such an environment poses a serious challenge to the peaceful transition and transformation. It is in this context that the saner elements in the society need to unite and counter the evil designs of those forces that are bent upon to disrupt the peace, harmony and happiness.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is NOT a factor threatening India's unity?

A) Communalism
B) Regionalism
C) Industrialization
D) Casteism

2. How does communalism affect India's social fabric?

A) Strengthens unity
B) Promotes division on religious grounds
C) Leads to economic development
D) Ensures national cohesion

3. Which factor is considered a major threat to India's unity due to political instability?

A) Casteism
B) Communalism
C) Corruption
D) Poor governance

4. How can regionalism affect national unity?

A) Promotes national identity
B) Strengthens the central government
C) Promotes local identities over national identities
D) Encourages cooperation between states

5. Which of the following is an external factor that threatens India's unity?

A) Caste discrimination
B) Terrorism
C) Political unrest
D) Regional autonomy demands

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: How do internal factors such as casteism and communalism threaten India's unity? Discuss with examples.

Answer: Internal factors like casteism and communalism create social divisions in India, undermining national unity. Casteism leads to the marginalization of certain communities, which fosters inequality and social unrest. Communalism, on the other hand, creates religious divides, leading to riots and violence, as seen in historical incidents like the 1947 Partition and the 2002 Gujarat riots. To address these threats, it is essential to focus on education, social equality, and promoting interfaith dialogue. The government's initiatives like the National Integration Council aim to mitigate these factors and enhance social cohesion.

Q2: Discuss the role of regionalism in the disintegration of India. How can it be prevented?

Answer: Regionalism poses a threat to India's unity by promoting regional identity over national identity, often leading to demands for state autonomy or secession. The language-based movement in Tamil Nadu and the Gorkhaland movement in West Bengal are examples of regionalism disrupting national harmony. Preventing such threats requires inclusive development, balanced regional growth, and political decentralization. Strengthening the federal system and addressing regional disparities can reduce tensions and promote national integration.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of external factors like terrorism and cross-border conflicts on India's unity. What measures can India take to safeguard its integrity?

Answer: External threats such as terrorism and cross-border conflicts strain India's national unity. Terrorist activities, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, create fear and division among communities. Border disputes with neighboring countries further exacerbate the situation. India must strengthen its defense infrastructure, enhance intelligence networks, and foster diplomatic relations with neighboring countries to mitigate these threats. At the same time, promoting national unity through social welfare programs, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation will contribute to internal cohesion and resilience against external threats.

Previous Year Questions on Unity and Integrity

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2015 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "What is the impact of regionalism on national unity in India? Discuss the measures that have been adopted to address regional imbalances."

Answer: Regionalism poses challenges by promoting local identities, often at the expense of national cohesion. To address this, India has implemented policies like the creation of smaller states, promoting equitable development, and fostering a sense of belonging through national integration programs.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Examine the challenges to India's national integration. How do communalism, casteism, and regionalism threaten national unity?"

Answer: Communalism, casteism, and regionalism challenge national integration by emphasizing differences rather than commonalities. These issues lead to social tensions, violence, and a fragmented identity. Measures like education reforms, promoting social equality, and strengthening federal policies are essential to counteract these threats.