Problem of “unity in diversity”: India’s experience

Over the years of its independent development, India has been able to put an end to its colonial past, strengthen its sovereignty, and achieve major successes in overcoming socio- economic backwardness. Today, it is a dynamically developing country with an efficient economy and a stable political system based on representative democracy and the principles of federalism. In terms of the complexity of its ethnic composition, India ranks first in the world: along with 12 large nations, hundreds of small nations and tribes live in India. Indian society is divided along confessional lines into Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others. Hindus are divided into many castes and four varnas. The Constitution has declared caste-based discrimination illegal. The disunity and heterogeneity of Indian society has a special impact on social development. The basis of the unified federal state structure is based on the national-territorial principle, determined by ethno-national factors. British colonial officials were convinced that after their departure, India would break up into dozens of independent states, although during the years of independence not a single group had come forward with demands for sovereignty. The Constitution of India laid the foundations for the unity of the country, the formation of a republican system and the establishment of the principle of parliamentary democracy. It provides for a strong center and states enjoying real autonomy, whose powers are clearly delineated. India included the principalities located on its territory, only Jammu and Kashmir received a special status in accordance with article 370 of the Constitution. In 2019, the Indian parliament passed a law on the repeal of this article, the de facto liquidation of the state and the formation of two union territories in its place - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.. These actions contributed to the greater integration of this Territory into India. In 1962, at the initiative of Nehru, the Council for National Integration was established, which discussed the problems dividing the country: the preservation of community, the existence of a caste system, terrorism, poly-confessionalism and linguistic disunity. Religious and communal strife was regarded as the main threat to the unity of the country. The Council was active until the BJP party came to power, after which it virtually ceased to exist. National integration is a complex and lengthy process, which takes into account the traditions of the national liberation movement, cultural and civilizational community, and the existing political system. The main thing for the Indian state remains the preservation of the territorial integrity and unity of the country.