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www.GOALias.blogspot.comregionalaspirationschapter8Region and the Nation1980s may be seen as a period of rising regional aspirations forautonomy, often outside the framework of the Indian Union. Thesemovements frequently involved armed assertions by the people,their repression by the government, and a collapse of the politicaland electoral processes. It is also not surprising that most of thesestruggles were long drawn and concluded in negotiated settlementsor accords between the central government and the groups leadingthe movement for autonomy. The accords were reached after aprocess of dialogue that aimed to settle contentious issues within theconstitutional framework. Yet the journey to the accord was alwaystumultuous and often violent.Indian approachIn studying the Indian Constitution and the process of nation-buildingwe have repeatedly come across one basic principle of the Indiandifferent regions and linguistic groups to retain their own culture. Wedecided to live a united social life without losing the distinctiveness ofthe numerous cultures that constituted it. Indian nationalism soughtto balance the principles of unity and diversity. The nation would notmean the negation of the region. In this sense the Indian approachwas very different from the one adopted in many European countrieswhere they saw cultural diversity as a threat to the nation.India adopted a democratic approach to the question of diversity.Democracy allows the political expressions of regional aspirations anddoes not look upon them as anti-national. Besides,democratic politics allows parties and groups to addressthe people on the basis of their regional identity,aspiration and specific regional problems. Thus, in thecourse of democratic politics, regional aspirations getstrengthened. At the same time, democratic politicsalso means that regional issues and problems willreceive adequate attention and accommodation in thepolicy making process.Such an arrangement may sometimes lead totensions and problems. Sometimes, the concern fornational unity may overshadow the regional needsDoes it meanthat regionalism isnot as dangerous ascommunalism? Or maybe, not dangerous atall?