South Asia: Nation Building and Federalism

"Multiple paths to nation building in South Asia" is the most popular and controversial subject. Identity-based politics, whether one rejects or accepts, is equally a pressing problem for the countries of the region. The traditional route to national integration and political order is being questioned by the emergence of newer trends in national politics of each country of the region. Questions of minorities, ethnic, regional and suppressed groups (dalits and other highly marginalized communities) need to be tackled by taking appropriate policies so that such groups do not develop the feeling of deprivation. If inclusive democracy and empowerment of marginalized communities can become one of the positive aspects of nation building project, federalism has become yet another design for some countries. Nepal's aspiration for federalism is not the product of well-thought out design, but it has become imperative for nation building in course of time. India and Pakistan are likely to increase some more federal units to address the demands of peoples residing in respective areas making nation building as an ongoing process.