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Summary
Society Class 10

THE CLASS STARTED WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS TOPICS (05:03 PM)

REGIONALISM (05:04 PM)

  • It is rooted in India's diversity with respect to language, caste, religion, ethnicity, etc.
  • When all these factors get geographically concentrated along with the feeling of relative deprivation it is known as 'Regionalism'
  • In a positive sense, regionalism leads to a sense of oneness, which can help in promoting growth, and development of the region.
  • However, In the negative sense, It might lead to excessive attachment to the region which might act as a threat to unity in diversity.
  • Politics of Regionalism:
  • Positives Negatives 
    If in order to concretise one's cultural identity. If people resort to violence. 
    To ensure better access to resources and better opportunities for socio-economic development. (eg. Telangana, Chattisgarh) If they demand secession
    For Administrative convenience (eg. Uttarakhand) If the demand is communal in nature
      'Son of Soil Theory'
  • Son of Soil Theory:
  • Concept:
  • It is referred to as a situation, where natives believe they have rights over the resources of the land to the extent of exclusion of outsiders.
  • eg. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam, Meghalaya, etc.
  • Causes:
  • The failure of state administration to create enough opportunities for both natives and migrants.
  • Presence of strong regional political parties which in order to remain politically relevant try to pit natives against migrants.
  • Due to the rise in aspirations, everyone has high expectations and anything short of expectation will lead to disenchantment.
  • Lack of culture of outmigration.
  • Due to a strong attachment to land the natives often do not prefer to migrate outside.
  • Son of Soil emerges especially with respect to the struggle for middle-class jobs.
  • The natives feel that along with their livelihood opportunities, their culture is also getting dominated and hence movement against outsiders is initiated.
  • Basis of Regionalism:
  • 1) Historical basis of Regionalism:
  • When the demand for regionalism is supported by historical aspects such as folklore, myth, traditions, and historical experiences.
  • For Example: Demand for 'Dravida Nadu', It was based on the belief that the region once enjoyed non-stratified polity and society.
  • However, with the Aryan invasion, this arrangement was disrupted and it led to stratification and hegemony.
  • 2) Geographical Factors:
  • Presence of natural resources, climatic conditions, landforms, sharing borders with international territory, strategic locations, buffer areas, etc.
  • 3) Socio-Cultural Factors:
  • 'Language' being an integral component of identity is also the basis for regionalism.
  • For Example, the Issue of the national language, demand for separate statehood on linguistic lines, etc.
  • Although caste and religion are also the basis of regionalism but the demands are often not accepted as it threaten the secular fabric, so often presented in the garb of either language or development.
  • Example: Demand for Punjab State, Crisis in Kashmir.
  • 4) Politico-Administrative Factors:
  • Politics does not create regionalism it only accentuates regionalism by fanning the sentiments of ignorant masses to serve their own interests.
  • 5) Economic Factors:
  • It forms the crux of regional politics and it is based on the fact that resources are limited and demands are disproportionate.
  • Even the policies of the government have not been able to address the regional disparity, in fact in many places it has aggravated economic differences.
  • For Example, Telangana accused Andhra Pradesh of colonising their region by grabbing their jobs, resources and opportunities. They also blame the government for not investing much in the infrastructure. Hence, the unequal distribution of benefits of development has created the demand for small states.
  • Practice Question: Do you agree that regionalism in India is a consequence of cultural assertiveness? argue (150 Words/10 Marks)
  • Approach:
  • Define Regionalism in the Introduction.
  • Linking Statement: How the aspiration to concretise cultural identities led to regionalism.
  • Body: You can elaborate on following factors
  • Historical factors
  • Socio-cultural factors
  • Ethnicity
  • Son of Soil theory
  • Economical
  • Political and administrative, etc.
  • Conclude as per the context.
  • Types of Regionalism:
  • 1) Inter-State:
  • Inter-state river water disputes
  • Struggle with respect to disputed territories 
  • 2) Intra-State:
  • When demand for hegemony emerges within the state.
  • Assam: Bodoland
  • West Bengal: Gorkhaland
  • Maharashtra: Vidharbha.
  • 3) Supra-State:
  • Struggle between group of states.
  • North India vs South India with respect to official language.
  • North East vs rest of India with respect to the issue of development.
  • 4) Demand for Secession:
  • For Example, Demand for Khalistan.
  • Impact of Regionalism:
  • Positive Impacts of Regionalism Negative Impacts of Regionalism
    It plays an important role in 'Nation-building' It is often used as a tool for 'Vote bank politics'
    It gave people the right to assert themselves.  It may hinder the international diplomacy. 
    Not always regional interests are against national interests and accommodating the aspirations will reduce the secessionist tendency.  Regionalism can be seen as a threat to national integrity especially when it has a violent connotation. 
    It helps us in realising the 'Salad bawl Theory of Multiculturalism'.  Unequal distribution of resources due to the presence of strong regional leaders may result in a feeling of relative deprivation. 
    Moderate regionalism may enhance the competitive spirit which may contribute to growth and development.  

RACIAL INTOLERANCE (07:00 PM)

  • Concept of Race:
  • It is defined as groups consisting of people having distinct physical traits (eg. Complexion, features, etc.)
  • According to the B.S.Guha six different race:
  • Nordic
  • Negrito
  • Mongoloid
  • Proto-Austroloid
  • Western Brachycephals
  •  Mediterranean.
  • Concept of Racial Intolerance:
  • When people indulge in discrimination based on a prejudiced attitude towards different racial groups.
  • Causes of Racial Intolerance:
  • Obsession with fair complexion due to: Colonial hangover, Commodification through advertisements, Commercial setting of beauty standards.
  • Lack of cultural integration which results in stereotyping and ghettoization.
  • Practice of 'racial chauvinism'.
  • Indulging in the principle of purity and pollution.
  • Lack of desirable socialization.
  • Discrepancy of demand and supply with respect to resources leads to a feeling of relative deprivation.
  • Normalization of racism.
  • Role of Social media in aggravating racism.
  • Reinforcing of racial stereotypes through Cinema.
  • Presence of fringe elements.
  • Lack of racially sensitive attitude among different stakeholders,
  • For Example, Mob attack on Tanzanian students.
  • In August 2021 a Student from Congo died in Police custody which resulted in retaliation against Indians in Congo.
  • Exodus of Northeastern students from different parts of India.
  • Mocking people with a dark complexion.
  • Implication of Racial Intolerance:
  • At Individual Level:
  • It negatively impacts cognitive development.
  • Loss of self-confidence.
  • Self Alienation due to anxiety, stress, fear, etc.
  • Lack of opportunities for upward mobility.
  • Limited ability to confront challenges.
  • It leads to isolation.
  • It might lead to social isolation.
  • Increased possibility of being radicalized by anti-social elements.
  • Violation of human rights.
  • At Societal Level:
  • Corrupt socialization sets up a bad precedent in the society.
  • Lack of diversity at various levels for Example, Education, jobs, etc.
  • It may generate regionalism due to growing relative deprivation.
  • Increased incidences of social conflicts.
  • It will threaten social capital.
  • It threatens the potential of demographic dividend.
  • At the National Level:
  • Threat to unity in diversity.
  • It dilutes 'India's Soft Power'
  • It threatens bilateral relations.
  • It threatens the potential of the nation to emerge as a business and tourism hub.
  • Chances of external interference to destabilize the territory.
  • Threat to Indian diaspora.
  • Overall it negatively impacts the image of a nation at the global level.
  • Way Forward:
  • Recommendation of Bezbaruah committee:
  • Stringent laws are the need of the hour.
  • Fast-track courts for speedy trials.
  • Use of social media outreach to create awareness in the society.
  • Provides legal awareness to racial minorities with respect to grievance redressal.
  • Bonding power over sports needs to be explored.

TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: ETHNO-NATIONALISM, SECULARISM, ETC.