National Integration

1. National Integration Prof. H.M. Rajashekara Former Director, UGC- Academic Staff College, University of Mysore, MYSORE 570 006. KARNATAKA, INDIA Phone No. : 98455 05134

2. Meaning • The phrase ‘national integration’ was used by Pt. Nehru in 1961. • Literally, ‘integration’ means to make up a whole out of different parts. It is synonymous with ‘wholeness’ or ‘completeness’. • The process of integration is the process of bringing culturally and socially discrete groups together into a single territorial unit and the inculcation of a sense of loyalty, belongingness and identity to that unit. (K.C. Markandan). • The word ‘integrity’ was added to preamble in 1976.

3. Why National Integration ? • Plural character of Indian Society – multi-religious, multi-caste, multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi- cultural society. • India’s Religious Spectrum : (2001 Census Report) 1. Hindus 827 Million 80.5 per cent 2. Muslims 138 Million 13.4 per cent 3. Sikhs 109 Million 1.9 per cent 4. Christians 024 Million 2.3 per cent 5. Buddhists 07.9 Million 0.8 per cent 6. Jains 04.2 Million 0.4 per cent 7. Others 06.6 Million 0.6 per cent

4. In a multi-caste, there are thousands of castes and sub-castes. • Ethnic identity is found in Manipur, Nagaland and other regions. • India is a polyglot country with thousands of languages and vernaculars. • There is a divide between Aryan culture and Dravidian culture. • Promotion and protection of vital national interests – Sovereignty, territorial integrity and economic progress. • To build a new and United India – Integration leads to the development of nationhood, a feeling of patriotism & Indianness. Unity in diversity can be realised.

5. In the following words, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called for building a new India (2006) : An India that is united in thought not divided by religion and language ; An India that is united in our Indianness not divided by caste and religions ; An India that is united in seeking new opportunities for growth not divided by disparities ; An India that is caring and inclusive.

6. Approaches to National Integration • Constitutional Approaches – Single citizenship, secularism, centralised federalism, fundamental freedom to reside in any part of India, All-India Services, Emergency Powers, Fundamental Duties, and listening of 22 languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujrati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Mathilli, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu & Urdu.

7. 2. Institutional Approach : National Integration Council, Zonal Councils, National Development Council, Cabinet Committee on National Security, National Security Council, RAW, IB, Military Intelligence, All India Educational and Technical Institutions, etc.

8. Threats to National Integration Insurgent Groups in the North East : (a) Internal Threats : Arunachal Pradesh : • United Liberation Volunteers of A.P. • United Liberation Movement of A.P. Assam : • United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) • Bodo Security Force Nagaland : • National Socialist Council of Nagaland (two groups) • Naga National Council (two groups)

9. Manipur : • People’s Liberation Army • Revolutionary People’s Front • United National Liberation Front Tripura : • All Tripura Tribal / Tiger Force • National Liberation Front of Tripura • Tipura Resurrection Army Jammu & Kashmir : • JKLF

10. (b) Parochialism (narrow outlook) (c ) Terrorism (d) Economic Disparities : Bodo agitation in Assam, Jharkhand agitation, Gorkhaland agitation in West Bengal, Vidharbha, Hyderabad Karnataka, and Telangana issues, etc.

11. External Threat Inter-services Intelligence of Pakistan is a posing a serious threat to India’s security and integrity. It has evolved a Three-Pronged strategy to destabilise India according to the report (2000) of Union Home Ministry.

12. 1. Encouraging different insurgent groups in India and supplying them arms and explosives. At least 10 to 12 Islamic groups have been working in India at the behest of the ISI. According to the US report, the highly trained terrorists of Jamait-i-Tulba with the active support of several Islamic groups like SIMI, Islamic Revolutionary Council, etc have been indulging in sabotage and subversive activities in India. (The Hindu, 1-3-1994)

13. 2. Pumping counterfeit notes through its agents to destabilise the Indian economy. 3. Indulging in massive drug trafficking through the insurgent groups to destroy the Indian Youth. (The Times of India, 13-1-2000) Conclusion : National Integration cannot be built by brick and mortar, by chisel and hammer. It has to grow silently in the minds and heads of men (National Integration Council). People should love and respect their country.

14. Books For Further Reading 1. Ashfaq Ali : Emotional Integration in India (Bhopal University, 1982) 2. J.M. Kaul : Problems of National Integration, (N.D. 1963) 3. EMS Namboodripad : Problems of National Integration (Calcutta, 1966) 4. Haqqi, S.A.H. : Democracy, Pluralism and Nation-Building (Delhi, 1984)

15. 5. R.M. Khan (Ed) : National Integration (Varnasi, 1970) 6. Rao, V.K.R.V. : National Integration – Some unresolved Issues (Bombay, 1985) 7. Satish Chandra : Regionalism and National Integration (Jaipur, 1976) 8. Ziauddin Khan : Integration in India : Issues and Dimensions (N.D., 1973)