Paper: GS – II, Subject: Polity, Topic: Federalism, Issue: Implications of the recent language-based mobilisation in India.
Context:
There are parallels between current language-based opposition mobilisation in Maharashtra and the 1956 Samyukta Maharashtra movement which highlights the long-standing role of Marathi identity and language in state politics, and how historical patterns are being echoed in the present political climate.
Key Highlights:
States Reorganisation Commission (1956) and Linguistic states
- Case of Bombay state: It recommended a bilingual Bombay State combining Maharashtra and Gujarat, denying Mumbai to Maharashtra which led to Opposition from Marathi leaders.
- Case of Andhra: Death of Potti Sreeramulu for a separate Andhra state and resultant Andhra state formation further increased momentum for linguistic states.
- Nehru-Patel’s resistance to linguistic division also weakened as a result of these movements.
Earlier linguistic movement in Maharashtra:
- Formation of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti: Coalition of Congress dissidents, communists, and socialists was formed including leaders like S.M. Joshi, Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, S.A. Dange, and Prabodhankar Thackeraywho demanded a united Maharashtra with Mumbai as its capital.
- Congress vs Regional Sentiment: Language politics became a tool for opposition unity and the Congress was seen as an anti-Maharashtrian force.
Present-Day Parallel:
BJP’s Decline in Marathi Politics:
- BJP’s aggressive Hindi-Hindutva identity seen as neglecting Marathi pride.
- The attempts to introduce Hindi as third language in schools and mandating Hindi from Std I backfired, fuelling Marathi linguistic assertions.
- Opposition Revival: Present mobilisation by the opposition echoes 1956 with the language and regional identity as a rallying point. It attempts to consolidate anti-BJP sentiment
- Shift in Political Alignments: The current Shiv Sena’s split (Uddhav & Shinde) mirrors old Congress splits. As Thackeray’s family lost its grip on Marathi symbolism, New Marathi forces are aligning against BJP dominance.
- Parallel with Other Regions: The linguistic movement in Maharashtra is similar to how regional identity fuels opposition in Punjab (Punjabi), Tamil Nadu (Tamil) and Northeast (tribal autonomy).
Significance of Maharashtra:
- Role in National Integration: Historically, Nehru feared linguistic division would harm national unity. Maharashtra was seen as a linchpin in India’s federal structure.
- Marathi Language as Identity Tool: Maharashtra remains the only state to oppose Hindi from early school education which indicates enduring importance of language in identity politics.
Conclusion: Just as language and regional pride reshaped Maharashtra in 1956, similar sentiments are again being mobilised to challenge central authority. It is crucial that the national integration must account for regional aspirations and cultural sensitivities.
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