‘Regionalism doesn’t imply separatism’. Explain.

a. Regionalism is a socio-economic or a socio-political ideology or a movement to mobilise the people who express their regional aspirations and identity and make the central establishment (government) hear their demands for enhanced autonomy and development at par with other regions. We can see the shades of such demands being raised in strategically important yet under-developed regions like northeast. Even in Andhra Pradesh where the theory of sons of soil gained prominence, it was the regionalism wave which led to the carving of Telangana from Andhra

b. The reason why regionalism gains so much popularity is because of the regional aspirations of the people and the non-fulfilment of their development needs due to regional imbalances.

c. While on the other hand, separatism is a violent political ideology in which the secessionist forces put forth their demand for complete segregation of their land from the mainland country and ask for complete autonomy in administrative, political, economic matters.

d. Apart from this, the basic difference between the two ideologies is that while regionalism believes in integrating their economy with the central economy so that they can also reap the fruits of development, separatism believes in cutting off their political and economic and administrative contacts in toto with the mainland and establish their own nation. For example, in Jammu and Kashmir region, many separatist and extremists are trying to radicalize the youth and demand for a separate nation.