Generally speaking, the important cause behind the rise of regionalism is the uneven social and economic development within the state. Secondly, there may be issues connected with the cultural aspect of the people of a particular region. In many cases, it has been noticed that the people of a particular region suffer from what is known as “identity crisisâ€. The very concept of national integration in India has failed to produce the optimum result since in many cases, integration has become another name for assimilation. Moreover, the so called ‘main-stream’ concept has also alienated a number of ethnic groups as it is feared that in the name of main-stream of national life, a total absorption of all would take place. This has given rise to another kind of regional feeling. Besides, the rise and growth of ‘linguistic regionalism’ in India has added a new dimension in this sphere. In a multi-lingual situation like India, this aspect has assumed serious proportion. It was thought by the policy-planners that a division of the country on linguistic basis would solve the problem of regionalism. Accordingly, in India states were recognized on linguistic basis. But that also could not satisfy the aspiration of the people of different regions and now it is felt by some that such a step has acted as an agent of further regional feeling. Another form of regionalism has appeared on the Indian scene. A number of regional movements are launched to create a separate state for the people of a particular region, generally tied by ethnic, cultural or other bonds. It is generally believed that this type of regionalism gained momentum after the reorganization of states on linguistic basis. Needless to mention, and study of on-going movements has some limitations. As the movements proceed, newer and newer forms take place, strategies undergo changes and sometimes goals are refixed. As a result, the conclusion that one may draw is bound to be tentative. The present study while admitting such limitations, has tried to provide a tentative projection of the future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dhirendra Nath Das
Dr. Dhirendra Nath Das is a teache in Political Science in the Dinhata High School (H.S. Unit), Dinhata, Cooch Behar. He took his B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Political Science, B.Ed. and BLIS. from the University of North Bengal. He obtained the Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of North Bengal in 2000. He wrote a famous book entitled “Tista Parar Katha†(in Bengali) was published by Ajit Barman at Anita Printing Press, Cooch Behar in 2001. His writings on “Narsy Sak Muslim Samaja Rajbanshir Kalbaisaki (Bengali) respectively in the year of 2003 and 1998. A famous article on the “Cooch Behar Rajyar Ant Abhuktita Kichu Khatha Kichu Byath†was published in the journal, Mon More Kanda Ra (Bengali) by Cooch Behar LokSanskriti Songrakshan O Gabasana Parishad, Cooch Behar. Ethnic Separatism and “Spakkhita Uttarbanga†were published inj Korak (Bengali) respectively in the year of 2001 and 1995. He has also presented papers in the National Conference on Reviewing the Partition: Dalit Lives and Dalit Visions in Eastern Indai on March 21.22.2003 held respectively by Centre for Ambedkar Studies, Faculty of Arts, Jadavpur University and Centre for Refugee Studies Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, on “Population Flow Trends in the Demography of Eastern India: A Study in the context of North Bengal†will be published by itself very soon. Paper on “Police Encounters Against Insurgency Movements: A Study in the Context of Kamtapur†was presented in the Seminar on the Regional Backwardness: Ethnic and Linguistic Tension in North Bengal, on 20-21 December, 2002, Ramakinkar Hall, Tathya Kendra, Siliguri, was organized by Samata Kendra, Swadhikar and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. A paper on “Rastya o Samaj – Samanya O Birodh: Asamorik Dandar Khatra Uttar Bangar Samajik Byabatha†will be presented on 27, 28, and 29 Septermber, 2004 in the Third West Bengal Social Science Congress organised by the Unviersity of North Bengal and Indian Academy of Social Science (west Bengal Branch) respectively.
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