The growing regionalism and compulsions of coalition politics are posing a serious threat to the national unity and making it difficult for the country to function as a single unit. These threats are arising because the regional players have their own agenda and vote bank politics which come into direct conflict with national priorities. These trends were visible even during the NDA rule but have become more pronounced during the recent times.

The happenings in Maharashtra where the Nav Nirman Sena of Raj Thakrey is targeted North Indians posed a serious problem for the State Government as they refused to take strong action against the Sena leader or offer adequate protection to the North Indians. In the first instance the Sena leadership virtually forced the local traders to put up sign boards in Marathi and in the second instance the candidates who had come to appear in examination being conducted by Railway Board for recruitment were beaten up and virtually chased away from the examination centers.

In both the cases State was unable to protect innocent citizens. The NAV Nirman Sena leader who was arrested also faced no difficulty and was able to walk out of the lock up after spending one night there with all amenities provided by friendly police. Both the State Government and the police have shown little enthusiasm for taking action even though Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh wrote a strongly worded letter to the State Chief Minister. The Home Minister as in the past seemed to be living in a world of his own where no issue disturbs him and his capacity for action has become zero.

The unfortunate part of the tragedy is that even NCP a partner in coalition running the State has chosen to go soft on Sena and is joining hands with Congress Chief Minister to implement policy of providing reservation in jobs for locals instead of taking steps to improve law and order or meet the threat of Sena to the Metropolitan character of Mumbai where the number of so called outsiders is equal if not more than the Marathi speaking people.

Under the circumstances there has been sharp reaction by UPA allies in Bihar against happenings and it also resulted in attacks by another set of goons in Delhi on Maharashtra Sadan. If such happenings remain unchecked, very soon we may reach a stage where the right of citizens to live anywhere in the country and work may be threatened. Such threats were given in the past in States like Assam and Jammu and Kashmir and this resulted in mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits a minority from Kashmir.

The current incidents are serious as this problem is spreading and affecting major cities of India. With every regional party taking up the cause of their respective areas only and coalition Government at the Center unable to control the situation, the country may find it difficult to maintain national unity or preserve its integrity. Such tendencies need to be checked immediately as otherwise the federal structure of our country will not be able to survive. Earlier the Tamilnadu Chief Minister K. Karunanidhi had virtually served notice on the Union Government on the issue of problems of Tamils in Sri Lanka. It has been known to all that Tamil insurgents who have been fighting Sri Lanka for several years are now facing a defeat and may be forced to vacate their strongholds. The Government of India has been providing support to the Sri Lanka Government but also asking them to find a peaceful solution of the problems of Tamils instead of relying on force only.

The DMK which will has to face elections in the State soon, however, tried to take political advantage of the situation by asking its MP's to resign which could have become a serious threat to the survival of the UPA Government in Delhi. The crisis was resolved after the resignations had been withdrawn, but it has shown a weapon to force the hands of the UPA Government on issues concerning the States. Where the DMK left RJD has taken up and is asking its Mps and members of State Assembly to resign on the issue of attacks on Biharis in Mumbai.

This practice if continued will make a mockery of governance in the country. As no single party is expected to secure a majority to govern, any new Government at Center will have to be a coalition of parties. If regional parties start using such veto power to seek their objectives, the country will find that the achievement of democracy and rule of law will become a joke. There is time to check this trend before it becomes a serious threat.

India is facing many armed revolts and threats from insurgency, but the danger posed by regional parties is worse as it will undermine our democratic system. Time has come when we should devise a code of conduct for coalition partners where issues like unity and integrity of the country become non-negotiable.

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