Exploring Separatism in India

• Separatism often leads to the amplification of ethnic identities, which can be perceived as divisive and potentially harmful to national integration.
• In India, separatist forces have made various demands, ranging from the creation of a separate state within the Indian Union, such as Telangana, to demands for a sovereign state outside the Indian Union, like the demand for Azad Kashmir.
• A strong sense of grievance against the central government is often a prerequisite for separatism, along with a cohesive minority group that dominates a clearly defined geographical area.
• Separatist movements are often driven by intense feelings of anger, hurt, and humiliation, which can incite revolts and revolutions.
• India has seen numerous separatist movements, including the Gorkhaland movement, the Bodoland movement, and the demand for Vidarbha, among others.

Categories of Separatism in India

Separatism can take various forms. In the Indian context, we can identify five distinct types of separatism:

• Linguistic-cultural separatism
• Regional separatism based on economic grievances
• Regional separatism based on political grievances
• Indigenous separatism
• Nativist separatism

Broadly, separatism can be classified into two categories: external separatism and internal separatism.

Separatism versus Secessionism

• Both terms refer to the breaking of ties or the termination of contractual relations. However, they are used in different contexts.
• Separatism can manifest in demands for increased local autonomy or for provincial or state rights.
• Secessionism, on the other hand, is a more specific term that refers to a demand for formal withdrawal from a central political authority by a member unit, claiming independent, sovereign status.

Global Perspective on Separatism

• Separatism often triggers significant disagreements between the world's major powers.
• The international law on separatism is ambiguous, leading to inconsistent and non-uniform global responses to separatist movements.
• The United Nations does not have a specific unit dedicated to examining separatism as a phenomenon. Instead, it usually waits for a conflict to erupt before considering the deployment of a peacekeeping mission to restore law and order.
• Over-centralization of decision-making often leads to separatism.
• In Asia, ASEAN does not have a clearly defined policy on separatism, leaving it up to national governments to decide how to handle separatist movements.
• The Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) – established by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to combat separatism, terrorism and extremism – is strongly against separatist movements like the Uyghur movement in China.
• Separatism can lead to violent conflict, especially when countries divide along ethnic lines.