South Asia
Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces
Divisive (centrifugal) forces plague this ethnically and culturally diverse country. The caste system of Hinduism [ssrelig] is pervasive as all people are placed in rigid castes whose ranks are based on ancestries, family ties and occupation. Not only are people segregated, but entire communities are segregated as well. People of particular castes are entitled to certain jobs or prevented from them. Even the wearing of particular clothing is determined by one's caste.
It is believed that a person is borne into a caste based on their actions in a previous life. Those in lower classes are not allowed any interaction with people in higher castes. Those in the lowest castes are the “untouchables” which lead a miserable existence. The British, and postcolonial leaders Mohandas Ghandi and Jawaharlal Nehur and others since, have tried to reform this negative aspect of Hinduism, with some success, particularly in urbanized areas. Some untouchables have even been elected seats in national state legislatures. Resistance still exists to reform, as Gandhi himself was killed by a Hindu fanatic. A wave of Hindu fundamentalism demanding a return to the old caste system, is sweeping India today. The radicalization of Hinduism and infusion of Hindu nationalism into India’s politics are a few of the divisive forces that threaten India’s stability.
Another problem involves India’s Sikh [ssrelig] population. They adhere to a religion that combines aspects of Hinduism and Islam while rejecting negative aspects (such as the caste system) of both. This religion was created 500 years ago to unite warring Hindus and Muslims. The majority of its followers are in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. During colonialism, many Sikhs supported British administration and were rewarded with jobs and service in the military (some of the best fighting units of British in WWI and WWII were Sikh). After independence, the Sikhs demanded that the original Indian State of Punjab be divided into a Sikh dominated west and a Hindu east. Despite the Indian government acquiescence, additional militants have demanded more autonomy and a state called Khalistan. This has led to confrontations between Sikhs and the Indian government and the assassination of Indira Ghandi in 1984.
India's Dravidian south [sspeoind] is also a source of centrifugal forces. Over 100 million citizens of India speak Dravidian languages [sslang] (Tamil, Malayalan, Telugu, Karaese). We will learn in the Historical Geography section how and when the Indo-aryan peoples from the west moved in to the subcontinent and pushed the original Dravidian inhabitants south to the Deccan plateau.
Perhaps the most significant centrifugal force is the Hindu-Muslim religious split. This was most clearly seen in "the partition" of the British colony after independence into the countries of India and Pakistan, when over 15 million people migrated - Hindus from Pakistan into India and Muslims from India into Pakistan. Still about 14% of India's nearly 1 billion people practice the Islamic faith. This is also the fastest growing population within India (growing at a faster rate than the rest of the population). India has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Armed conflict has occurred between Muslim separatists and the Indian military in the state of Kashmir-Jammu.
[The text of the above was written by Scott Girhard, San Antonio College from his online course GEOG 1301 World Geography. Used with permission.]
Summary: Centrifugal Forces:
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Despite these divisive forces, India has managed to survive as the only democracy in this region and as the world's most populous democracy. What are the centripetal forces that hold this diverse State together?
Despite the caste system, reforms of Hinduism have resulted in a binding cultural force (centrifugal force). Over time Hinduism's introspection and gentility have been binding forces to most Indians. It’s commitment to democracy despite assassinations and political corruption, is also a unifier.
The British left a good communications network [sstrans] in India which are better than they are in many other developing countries. This network helps hold the country together.
India's democratic governments have been willing to modify state boundaries and devolve power to the states in order to achieve peace and security.
[The text of the above was written by Scott Girhard, San Antonio College from his online course GEOG 1301 World Geography. Used with permission.]
Summary: Centripetal Forces
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