Challenges of National Integration

India is a very diverse country, with many different castes, dialects, and religions. On the basis of all these characteristics, different populations in India are distinct from one another. Castes are further divided into sub-castes, languages are further divided into dialects, and religions are further divided into sub-religions.

India’s immense size and large population make its presentation of endlessly varied cultural patterns only reasonable. However, it is also true that India exhibits unity in the midst of diversity. 

The following are the main concerns and problems affecting national integration:

Racial Diversity

India is made up of numerous varied ethnic groups, and as a result, the country’s variety offers a hidden threat to its unity. Caste, creed, religion, and language divisions in Indian society have existed for a very long time. These were also helpful to the British in their plan to split up the country. It was only through the efforts of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Vallabai Patel, and many more towards national unification that the divisive tendencies were ultimately overcome and the British were expelled from India.

Communalism

One of the biggest threats to national integration is the narrow mindset that prevails over different religious identities. People in our country are primarily held captive by various religious identities due to politics. Even in our nation, several of the states were created based on various languages. The distinctions between people on the basis of religion are encouraged by communalism. Even though our nation is secular and respects all religions equally, occasionally intercommunal confrontations break out, resulting in the tragic loss of life and property.

Cultural distinctions

Cultural differences can occasionally significantly impede national integration. It is already evident in the divisions between the northern and southern states, which frequently lead to interpersonal conflict and hostility. causing unrest and demonstrations.

Regionalism

Provincialism or regionalism is another significant barrier to national integration. Notably, the “States Reorganisation Commission” divided our nation into fourteen states after gaining independence, taking into account the various aspects of the public and administrative systems. The negative effects of such a divide are still evident today, as seen by the creation of new nations based on territorial boundaries and the growing need for more such states. Different states in the nation are experiencing an increase in the limited sense of provincialism, which is causing social unrest among the populace.

Language Variations

The huge nation of India is home to many diverse languages. Although there is nothing wrong with having a variety of languages, national integration is hampered by a person’s fixation with their own tongue and intolerance toward other languages. A national language that can unite the entire nation is necessary because people can only communicate with each other through language. Unfortunately, there isn’t yet a single language that can be used for communication from Kashmir to Kanyakumari across the entire nation.

Income Inequality

Economic inequality coexists with social diversity in our nation. The majority of the poor are finding it more and harder to make ends meet, while the few wealthy people are getting richer. There is growing hostility between the rich and the poor as a result of this wealth disparity. The feelings of national integration cannot flourish in the absence of all this fraternity and harmony.

Conclusion

A large and diversified nation like India needs national integration badly. Every year from November 19 to November 25, National Integration Week, also known as Qaumi Ekta Week, is observed to raise awareness of the value of maintaining national unity. Additionally, National Integration Day is observed on November 19, which also happens to be the birthday of India’s first female prime minister, Indira Gandhi. India is a nation where people of many cultures, faiths, customs, and creeds coexist. Differences amongst the persons concerning various problems are therefore likely to arise as a result of these variations. Despite these contrasts, national integration serves as a thread that binds the people together in unity. A festival associated with any faith is celebrated in unison in this nation with participation from all the communities. To meet, greet, and congratulate one another on religious festivals, the people travel to one another’s homes.