Question

Explain the following concept with examples.

National integration

Answer 1

1. India is a land of “Unity in diversity”. India has always been seen by scholars as a unique example of unity in diversity in spite of regional, linguistic, religious and ethnic differences dividing India into apparently irreconcilable social groups. The diversities in terms of communities, races, classes, languages and sub-cultures are bound to pose obstacles to the achievement of national integration. The following factors which obstruct the growth of national feeling viz. casteism, communalism, regionalism, linguism, and economic inequalities have been outlined below.
2. Casteism refers to loyalty to one’s own caste before loyalty to the nation. Caste ties are so strong that people are inclined to think in terms of caste before the nation. This may lead to caste members protecting their own caste group through social service, education, medical and other welfare schemes. This can lead to several problems. Discrimination on the basis of caste is a major hurdle for national integration.
3. Religious antagonism has posed a serious challenge to national integration in India.
4. Regionalism refers to loyalty to one’s own State or region before one’s nation. This interferes with national integration to a great extent. The history of a particular region is glorified and often it is misused to stress divisive forces, thus ignoring the common cultural legacy and heritage.
5. Linguism is a form of excess loyalty towards one’s own language. Linguistic fanaticism poses a threat to national integration. There are also forces that threaten national unity as well as national integration. 
6. The need of the hour is to develop an empathetic understanding of our multiple diversities and work towards strengthening the overall sense of national unity and emotional integration.