Volume-XI, Issue-III, May 2025 |
The Federal Spirit of India: A Tapestry of Multiculturalism Subhadip Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Jatindra Rajendra Mahavidyalaya, Amtala, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India |
Received: 29.03.2025 | Accepted: 28.05.2025 | Published Online: 31.05.2025 | Page No: 555-561 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.03W.051 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
The Indian federal system
represents a dynamic interplay between unity and diversity, reflecting the
nation’s commitment to democratic pluralism. As a multicultural polity marked
by linguistic, ethnic, and cultural heterogeneity, India’s federal architecture
is central to the accommodation and representation of diverse identities. This
article critically examines the evolution and contemporary relevance of
federalism in India, arguing that its transformative potential lies in its
capacity to transcend rigid national-regional dichotomies. Drawing upon the
insights of constitutional scholars and political theorists, the discussion
highlights the significance of federalism not merely as an administrative
framework but as a normative principle underpinning inclusive governance. The
study situates India’s federal trajectory within a broader democratic context,
emphasizing the increasing necessity of collaborative federalism in response to
emerging socio-political and economic complexities. It explores the imperative
of institutional reform, intergovernmental coordination, and participatory
mechanisms that enhance policy deliberation and democratic accountability. In
doing so, it underscores the philosophical dimensions of federalism as a tool
for harmonizing plural identities within a unified national structure. By
foregrounding the adaptability and resilience of India’s federal system, the
article advocates for a reimagining of federalism as an evolving, dialogic, and
inclusive mode of governance capable of sustaining democratic vitality in a
globalized world.
Keywords: Federalism, Multiculturalism, Democratic Governance,
Collaborative Federalism, Identity Politics, Institutional Reform. |