According to Bhattacharyya, which of the following has been a means o…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Indian federalism

Option (1) Constitutional secularism — Incorrect. Secularism means the state stands apart from any one religion, and India's Constitution declares the state secular. It concerns the place of religion in public life and gives no special route for regional demands.

Option (2) Panchayati Raj institutions — Incorrect. Panchayati Raj is local self-government at the village, block and district levels. It spreads democracy to the grassroots and does not deal with the claims of whole regions.

Option (3) Indian federalism — Correct. Regionalism grows from India's many languages, cultures, tribes and religions concentrated in particular regions. Indian federalism shares power between the Centre and the States, so it has been a means of accommodating these regional sentiments.

Option (4) The policy of national integration — Incorrect. National integration is a constant theme in state policy. Yet India has not been integrationist, and integration seeks one common identity that leaves little room for regional ones.