What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer. (200 words)

Regionalism is political mobilisation around a region's identity, interests and perceived autonomy; economic inequality is an important but not exclusive cause.

Sources

• Language, ethnicity, history, geography and cultural distinctiveness create regional consciousness.
• Unequal investment, employment, irrigation, infrastructure and fiscal transfers produce perceptions of exploitation.
• Migration and resource distribution can intensify centre-region and inter-region tensions.

Way forward

• Telangana and Jharkhand show how perceived neglect can combine with identity politics to produce statehood demands.
• Balanced regional planning, fiscal equalisation, cooperative federalism and local participation can channel regional aspirations constitutionally.

Keywords: regional identity, regional imbalance, fiscal federalism, statehood movements, cooperative federalism.