Read the passage and answer the questions:
India’s response to the regional aspirations.
In studying the Indian Constitution and the process of nation-building we have repeatedly come across one basic principle of the Indian approach to diversity - the Indian nation shall not deny the rights of different regions and linguistic groups to retain their own culture. We decided to live a united social life without losing the distinctiveness of the numerous cultures that constituted it. Indian nationalism sought to balance the principles of unity and diversity. The nation would not mean the negation of the region. In this sense the Indian approach was very different from the one adopted in many European countries where they saw cultural diversity as a threat to the nation. India adopted a democratic approach to the question of diversity. Democracy allows the political expressions of regional aspirations and does not look upon them as anti-national. Besides, democratic politics allows parties and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration and specific regional problems. Thus, in the course of democratic politics, regional aspirations get strengthened. At the same time, democratic politics also means that regional issues and problems will receive adequate attention and accommodation in the policy making process.
How do parties and groups pursue the principles of diversity in a democratic politics?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → They address the people on the basis of their aspiration and specific regional problems.
Option (1) They address people on the basis of religious identities — Incorrect. The passage is about regional diversity. The identity it names is regional identity, not religion.
Option (2) They address people’s issues on dominant caste basis — Incorrect. Appealing to a dominant caste would serve one group, not the region as a whole. The passage speaks of the people’s regional identity, aspiration and specific regional problems.
Option (3) They address the people on the basis of their aspiration and specific regional problems. — Correct. Democratic politics allows parties and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration and specific regional problems.
Option (4) They address people’s issues on the basis of classes only. — Incorrect. Class is not the basis the passage names, and the word ‘only’ leaves out the regional identity and problems that it does name.
NCERT (2025-26): “Indian approach … In studying the Indian Constitution and the process of nation-building we have repeatedly come across one basic principle of the Indian approach to diversity – the Indian nation shall not deny the rights of different regions and linguistic groups to retain their own culture. We decided to live a united social life without losing the distinctiveness of the numerous cultures that constituted it. Indian nationalism sought to balance the principles of unity and diversity. The nation would not mean the negation of the region. In this sense the Indian approach was very different from the one adopted in many European countries where they saw cultural diversity as a threat to the nation. India adopted a democratic approach to the question of diversity. Democracy allows the political expressions of regional aspirations and does not look upon them as anti-national. Besides, democratic politics allows parties and groups to address the people on the basis of their regional identity, aspiration and specific regional problems. Thus, in the course of democratic politics, regional aspirations get strengthened. At the same time, democratic politics also means that regional issues and problems will receive adequate attention and accommodation in the policy making process.” |