Regional Aspirations

Rising Regional Aspirations in India in the 1980s

• The 1980s saw a surge in regional aspirations for autonomy in India.
• These aspirations often led to negotiated settlements or accords.
• The journey to these accords was frequently tumultuous and violent.

Indian Approach to Regional Aspirations in India

Democratic Approach to Cultural Diversity in India

• Unlike many European nations, that viewed cultural diversity as a threat, India embraced it.
• India allowed political expressions of regional aspirations, not viewing them as anti-national.
• Balancing national unity with regional needs is crucial but challenging.

Areas of Tension Post-Independence

Integration and Reorganization Challenges in India

• Post-independence India faced issues like partition, displacement, and integration of princely states.
• Jammu and Kashmir’s political aspirations led to significant tensions.
• The Northeast lacked consensus on being part of India initially.
• The Dravidian movement in the South briefly considered a separate country.
• Pro-Hindi agitations in the North demanded immediate official status for Hindi.
• Punjabi speakers began agitating for a separate state from the late 1950s.

Jammu and Kashmir: Regional Aspirations in India

Sociopolitical Regions in Jammu and Kashmir

• Comprised of Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh.
• Jammu is predominantly Hindu, with Muslims, Sikhs, and others.
• Kashmir is mainly Muslim, with Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others.
• Ladakh has a small, evenly split Buddhist and Muslim population.

Historical Context and Roots of the Problem in Jammu and Kashmir

• J&K was a princely state pre-1947, with Maharaja Hari Singh desiring independence.
• The regional identity, Kashmiriyat, emphasized a distinct Kashmiri identity.
• Pakistan’s 1947 invasion led the Maharaja to seek Indian military help, resulting in the Instrument of Accession.
• India promised to respect J&K’s autonomy and ascertain the people’s wishes later.

External and Internal Disputes over Jammu and Kashmir

• Externally, Pakistan claims the Kashmir Valley and supports insurgency.
• Internally, J&K had special status under Article 370, granting it more autonomy than other states.
• The state’s unique constitution limited the applicability of Indian laws.

Politics in Jammu and Kashmir Since 1948

• The Congress party influenced J&K politics between 1953 and 1974.
• The 1974 Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Abdullah agreement saw Sheikh Abdullah become Chief Minister.
• After Sheikh Abdullah’s death, political instability ensued with dismissals and factional power struggles.

Insurgency and Aftermath in Jammu and Kashmir

• The 1987 Assembly election was widely perceived as rigged, leading to militant movements by 1989.
• Insurgency received support from Pakistan, resulting in prolonged violence.
• A fair election in 2002 led to a PDP-Congress coalition, replacing the National Conference.
• Subsequent years saw political shifts, including coalition governments and periods of President’s rule.
• In 2019, Article 370 was abolished, reconstituting J&K into two Union Territories.

Punjab: Regional Aspirations in India

Social and Political Changes in Punjab

• Partition and the creation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh changed Punjab’s social composition.
• The Akali Dal, formed in 1920, led the movement for a Punjabi suba (state).

Political Context and the Anandpur Sahib Resolution in Punjab

• Akalis came to power in 1967 and 1977 but faced precarious political positions.
• The Anandpur Sahib Resolution of 1973 demanded regional autonomy and redefined center-state relationships.
• The movement evolved into an armed insurgency with calls for Khalistan.

Cycle of Violence in Punjab

• Militants fortified the Golden Temple, leading to Operation Blue Star in 1984.
• The operation damaged the temple, hurting Sikh sentiments.
• Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984 led to anti-Sikh violence.
• In 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apologized for the anti-Sikh violence.

Road to Peace in Punjab

• The Rajiv Gandhi-Harchand Singh Longowal Accord of 1985 sought to restore peace.
• Violence continued until the mid-1990s when peace gradually returned.
• The Akali Dal-BJP alliance won a major victory in the 1997 elections.

The North East: Regional Aspirations in India

Political Reorganization in the North East

• The Northeast now comprises seven states, also known as the ‘seven sisters’.
• Significant political reorganization saw the creation of Nagaland (1963), Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya (1972), Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (1987).

Demands for Autonomy in the North East

• Non-Assamese opposed Assamese imposition, leading to riots and demands for autonomy.
• Bodos, Karbis, and Dimasas in Assam demanded separate states, leading to autonomy grants and the Assam Accord of 1985.

Secessionist Movements in the North East

• Mizo Hills’ secessionist movement gained support after a famine in 1959.
• The 1986 peace agreement granted Mizoram statehood, ending the struggle.
• Nagaland’s independence movement led by Angami Zaphu Phizo started in 1951.

Movements Against Outsiders in the North East

• Large-scale migration led to local vs. outsider conflicts over resources and opportunities.
• The Assam movement (1979-1985) combined cultural pride and economic issues against outsiders.
• The Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) emerged from this movement, promising to resolve these issues.

Sikkim’s Merger: Regional Aspirations in India

Integration of Sikkim into India

• Sikkim was a protectorate of India at independence.
• In 1975, Sikkim merged with India, becoming the 22nd state.

Accommodation and National Integration: Regional Aspirations in India

Lessons from Regional Aspirations in India

• Regional aspirations are part of democratic politics.
• Democratic negotiations are better responses than suppression.
• Power sharing at the state level is crucial.
• Addressing regional economic imbalances is essential to reduce discrimination feelings.
• The Indian Constitution’s farsightedness has effectively managed diversity.

Encouraging Regionalism in India’s Democracy

• Regionalism is part of democratic politics, not separatism.
• India has successfully integrated regionalism within its democratic framework