When one talks about North versus South in international forums, it usually refers to the rich North and the poorer South. A closer look suggests that countries in cooler regions often perform better economically than those in warmer ones. Even within countries, warmer regions can sometimes lag behind cooler ones. Northern Italy, for instance, is more prosperous than the warmer southern part. There are exceptions, such as Singapore and Macao, but the broader pattern is worth noting. While the reasons may be left to experts, this article focuses on India’s own North-South divide.
For the purpose of this article, we call our 6 Southern states namely 1) Telangana 2) Goa 3) Karnataka 4) Andhra Pradesh 5) Tamil Nadu and 6) Kerala, as Southern States and five Hindi speaking states, representing over one third of India’s population, namely 1) Bihar 2) Uttar Pradesh 3) Rajasthan 4) Madhya Pradesh and 5) Chhattisgarh as Northern India. If there was any suggestion of dividing the country in two blocks, Bengal and Odisha would, in all likelihood, be inclined to join Southern Sates block given their strong linguistic and cultural identities. As a matter of fact, Bengali influenced North Eastern States would also likely to fall in line with Bengal. This Southern group happens to have deep rooted cultural and political differences with people of the Hindi speaking belt who continue to carry a strong Mughal cultural identity. It is, of course, ironical that the people in this belt – despite their cultural similarities – are less accommodative of the Muslim population than the people in the other parts of the country.
People from all over the country are all very proud to be Indians and this is strongly embedded in their emotional make-up. South Indians fought for freedom struggle as strongly as the North Indians. While seemingly nothing will change this emotional equation of the people of South India and therefore the question of the country splitting into North and South is only hypothetical; but yet, this equation cannot be taken for granted for ever. Recent calls for redrawing electoral map through “delimitation” has caused a lot of murmurs in the Southern peninsula fearing reduction in their relative strength in Parliament. If we were to determine parliamentary strength on the basis of population, even though in principle it sounds correct and logical, it will not be accepted by the South. Over the years, while Southern States have successfully reduced their population, the population of Northern States and, particularly, in the Hindi speaking belt like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh has increased at a much higher rate of growth than the national average. These five States alone account for more than a third of the country’s population.
Southern States have clearly done remarkably well in the national family planning agenda. Some Southern States have achieved an unbelievably lower rate of average 1.4 children per women in their reproductive life. This is in stark contrast to the five Hindi speaking States that are at more than 2.3 children per women. If we were to carry out the delimitation exercise the result would be a reduction in their relative political strength in Parliament. It would, clearly, amount to punishing them for their success. Additionally, a part of the contribution of the wealthier Southern States towards federal revenue gets disbursed to different states on the basis of their population. This anomaly has been partially corrected in the Budget of 2026/27. Adding fuel to the fire, is the recent call from a senior functionary of RSS asking Hindus to increase their birth rate to an average of 3 children per family. The statement clearly waters down the Southern States’ achievements, of controlling birth rate to below the average of two children per family and goes against the efforts in family planning. This is not a place to discuss the repercussions of three child demand but this requires rebuttal and condemnation by appropriate highest level government functionaries.
Delimitation exercise seems to be a Damocles Sword hanging over the Southern States says the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin. While we see only smoke today, the move to reduce their relative political strength will definitely cause fire in the Southern States. This aspect should not be trivialised under any circumstance. Th unity of the country must be preserved under all circumstances. Government’s assurance that their representation will not reduce is not sufficient.
There is yet another issue which is brewing among the Southern States and that is the recent suggestion made by the Centre to revive the issue of making Hindi as the national languages. It has proposed that all children in the country should learn three languages in their primary education. The question of having Hindi as the national language also arose in the very early stages after Independence – in Nehruvian era. The government of the time, experiencing unprecedented opposition to the proposal by the Southern States, quietly backtracked on the issue. The situation, in that respect, has become even more volatile because English is now considered, not just the language left by the British, but has acquired the status of international language for all purposes. This is particularly valid for international trade, business and relations. This language has been accepted by practically all the countries of the world. Even the French have accepted it as unavoidable.
India is and has always been, a multilingual country. The very idea of determining state boundaries on linguistic bases was to allow each state to flourish in their own way, promoting their own traditions, culture, language and folklore. Language is integrally intertwined in their folklore. We should not forget that all the regional languages are much older and richer deeply ingrained in their culture and traditions. If they have to learn another language, they would prefer to learn a global language i.e., English which adds value to their life and aspirations instead of Hindi which does not add any value to their professional and career advancement.
Learning English, in any case, has become extremely important and necessary for everyone in the world (Indians are no exception). This is the only language which provides access to the world of business, technology, trade, interaction with people when travelling to other countries – not to forget entertainment. Hindi must be left as one among the 22 recognised languages. It is also not necessary for any country to have one designated national language. There are many countries, some very small and prosperous despite being multilingual. Take for example Switzerland, a very small country, highly placed economically, have three official languages – French, German and the Italian. Canada, Ireland, Belgium, etc have more than one official language and yet do well in every aspect. India’s diversity should be considered as its strength which needs to be preserved and not to be considered as its weakness requiring change.
We should stop considering English as a language left by the British. It is now a language which binds all of us. We have in a way turned out to be very lucky that most educated people in India are proficient in this language. Our judicial system, higher education inter-regional communication luckily continues to be in English. This is the only worthwhile (though by default) asset left by the British for us. Since our exports of goods has stagnated in the last decade, we have a huge negative trade balance on this account. Fortunately, revenue generated by our flourishing IT industry has more than covered the gap of foreign exchange.
Do we realise that this has happened purely because of widespread knowledge of English in the country. India stepped into IT Industry in mid 1970s leveraging the English-speaking capabilities of our software professionals. While, initially, we were considered to be a body-shop we have graduated to become suppliers of ready to use software to thousands of the most discerning multinational companies across the world and earn close to USD 225 billion in 2025. This, incidentally, one third of country’s foreign exchange needs. Keeping this reality in mind, we must make English as a compulsory second language for all the children of our country besides their mother tongue.
It is not to be forgotten that the six Southern States outperform the rest of the country on all important parameters like education, economic progress, family planning, industrialisation, law and order, gender equality, etc. Not surprising that some of our most prominent progressive organisations like ISRO, NAL, DRDO, etc are largely manned by South Indians. This 20 percent of India’s population, produce over 30 percent of India’s GDP. It is noteworthy that the Northern States continue to depend largely on agricultural activity while southern states have progressed very impressively industrially. Kerala and Goa, of course have chosen tourism as their bedrock for advancement. Both these states seem to be doing well. Kerala in addition has also chosen a path that successfully reduces the economic disparities between the rich and poor. The state’s poor population account for 7 percent while it is 34% in Bihar, 33% in UP and 29% in MP.
India’s diversity – of language, culture, and food – is one of its greatest strengths. It should be preserved and nurtured, not seen as a problem to be solved. From the rich cuisine of the North to the distinct flavours of the South and the East, this diversity adds to the country’s richness. It is something to celebrate, not divide over.
While debates on representation, population, and language will continue, they must be handled with sensitivity. India’s unity rests on balancing these differences with fairness and mutual respect.
GOD BLESS INDIA
