What has been the most powerful instrument for the formation of ethno-national identity in India?

(A) Linguistic Identity
(B) Regional Identity
(C) Tribal Identity
(D) Religious Identity

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A), (B) and (C) only

The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (C) only

Language coupled with regional and tribal identity – and not religion – has provided the most powerful instrument for the formation of ethnonational identity in India. However, this does not mean that all linguistic communities have got statehood. For instance, in the creation of three new states in 2000, namely Chhatisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand, language did not play a prominent role. Rather, a combination of ethnicity based on tribal identity, language, regional deprivation and ecology provided the basis for intense regionalism resulting in statehood.