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.
Which one of the following principles link the Indian Constitution and the process of nation-building?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The principle of diversity
Option (1) The principle of diversity — Correct. The passage says that in studying the Indian Constitution and the process of nation-building we come across one basic principle of the Indian approach to diversity: the nation shall not deny regions and linguistic groups the right to retain their own culture.
Option (2) The principle of inequality. — Incorrect. The passage speaks of respecting every region’s culture, not of treating groups unequally.
Option (3) Self-determination principle. — Incorrect. Self-determination is the claim of a people to decide its own political future, even as a separate state. The Indian approach keeps regions within a united social life while respecting their cultures, so it balances unity and diversity rather than letting regions break away.
Option (4) Majoritarian principle. — Incorrect. A majoritarian approach would let the culture of the largest group prevail over the others. The passage says the opposite: the nation would not mean the negation of the region, and every linguistic group keeps its culture.
Note: This passage is taken word for word from the NCERT chapter ‘Regional Aspirations’, the section ‘Indian approach’. One well-read paragraph of the book was worth all five answers here.
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.” |