Belgium and Sri Lanka – Swastika Shiksha

Democratic Politics – II | NCERT | Class 10 Polity | Notes + Quiz (Copy 1)

Size and Location: Belgium is a small European country, smaller in area than Haryana, India, and shares borders with France, Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. 🌍
Population Composition: With a population of over one crore, Belgium’s population is ethnically diverse, with 59% in the Flemish region speaking Dutch, and 40% in Wallonia speaking French. 🗣️
Multilingualism: Only about 1% of Belgians speak German, but 80% of Brussels speaks French, while 20% speak Dutch. 🏙️
Capital Complexity: Brussels, the capital, is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), but the division between French and Dutch speakers in the city remains a source of political and cultural conflict. 🌆
Geographic and Linguistic Split: The Flemish and Wallonia regions are geographically distinct, contributing to the social and political divide. Flemish people are concentrated in the north, while French speakers live predominantly in the south. 🌍

Historical Context: The French-speaking community was historically wealthy and powerful, while the Dutch-speaking community gained access to education and economic development later on. 💸
Tensions in the 1950s-60s: These disparities led to growing tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities, particularly in the capital city, Brussels. 💥
Brussels’ Complex Situation: Brussels presented a unique challenge with Dutch-speakers being a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital, leading to cultural and political conflicts. 🏙️
Cultural Divide: The economic disparity between the regions was compounded by differing cultural identities and attitudes toward language, education, and politics. This divide escalated in the post-World War II period. 🇧🇪
Political Solution: The tensions led to political reforms aimed at regional autonomy, with the 1970s marking the start of the federalization of Belgium, giving more powers to the Flemish and Walloon regions. 🏛️

Size and Population: Sri Lanka, an island nation just south of Tamil Nadu, has a population of about two crore people, which is similar to the population of Haryana. 🌍
Ethnic Groups: Sri Lanka is home to two major ethnic groups: 74% Sinhala-speaking people and 18% Tamil-speaking people. 🗣️
Sub-Groups of Tamils: Among Tamils, 13% are Sri Lankan Tamils, native to the country, while the rest are Indian Tamils, descended from colonial-era plantation workers. 🌱
Geographic Distribution: Sri Lankan Tamils are mostly concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the island, while Sinhala-speakers are predominantly found in the southern and western regions. 🌍
Religious Diversity: The Sinhala-speaking community is primarily Buddhist, while Tamil-speakers are mostly Hindus and Muslims, adding an additional layer to the ethnic divide. 🕌🕉️

Religious Breakdown: The majority of Sinhala-speakers are Buddhists, while the majority of Tamil-speakers follow Hinduism or Islam. 🕌🕉️
Christian Minorities: Around 7% of Sri Lankans are Christians, with both Tamil and Sinhala communities being represented in this group. ✝️
Religious Tensions: The religious differences between the Sinhala and Tamil communities have historically contributed to ethnic and political tensions, especially during periods of conflict. 🕊️
Role of Religion in Identity: Religion plays a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of both groups, influencing everything from festivals and rituals to political alignment. ⛪🕋
Religious Conflicts: In addition to ethnic issues, Sri Lanka has witnessed religious violence, particularly in the form of attacks on Muslim and Christian communities by hardline Buddhist groups. ⚔️

Dutch Community’s Numeric Advantage: In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking community could exploit its numeric majority and force its will on the French-speaking and German-speaking populations, further escalating tensions. 💣
Potential for Conflict: This could lead to a partition of the country, with both sides claiming control over Brussels, complicating the political and cultural landscape. 💥
Federalization as a Solution: While federalization helped mitigate some of the tensions, the question of Brussels’ status continues to pose a challenge to national unity. 🏛️
Role of Political Parties: Political parties in Belgium are often divided along linguistic lines, reinforcing the ethnic divide and making it difficult to form a national consensus. 🗳️
European Union Influence: Belgium’s role in the European Union further complicates the situation, as linguistic and cultural identity issues affect its ability to engage with neighboring countries and the EU as a whole. 🌍

Sinhala Majority’s Advantage: In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community, with its larger majority, could impose its will on the Tamil-speaking population, exacerbating ethnic tensions. 🏛️
Potential for Escalation: This imbalance could lead to greater conflict between the communities, further dividing the country along ethnic and religious lines. ⚔️
Civil War Legacy: The Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009) was primarily a result of these tensions, with the Tamil Tigers fighting for an independent Tamil Eelam state, which has left deep scars on the nation. 💔
International Pressure: Global actors, including the United Nations, have pressured Sri Lanka to address the ethnic divide and ensure the protection of minority rights, but solutions have remained elusive. 🌍
Reconciliation Challenges: Despite post-war efforts for reconciliation, Sri Lanka continues to face significant challenges in achieving lasting peace and ethnic harmony. 🕊️

Swastika Shiksha