Paper: GS – II, Subject: Polity, Topic: Federalism, Issue: The States Reorganisation Act of 1956.
Context:
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi recently stirred controversy by claiming that the linguistic reorganisation of Indian states, initiated within a decade of Independence, led to large sections of people becoming “second-class citizens.” Speaking at an event in Gandhinagar, he argued that this move weakened national unity.
Key Takeaways:
India’s Political Geography Before Linguistic Reorganisation:
- At the time of Independence in 1947, India inherited a complex administrative setup shaped by British colonial rule.
- The British governed India through two parallel systems direct control in provinces and indirect control over 565 princely states.
- The boundaries drawn were dictated largely by administrative convenience rather than cultural or linguistic coherence.
Four-Part Division under the 1950 Constitution:
- When the Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, India was described as a “Union of States,” comprising 28 states grouped into four categories:
- Part A States: These included nine former British governor’s provinces like Bombay, Madras, and Uttar Pradesh, each with an elected legislature and a governor.
- Part B States: Comprising eight former princely states or their groupings, these were governed by an elected legislature and a rajpramukh (a governor-like figure), and included states like Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan.
- Part C States: Ten territories including both former Chief Commissioners’ provinces and some princely states were placed under the direct control of the President through a Chief Commissioner. Examples: Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Manipur.
- Part D State: The sole territory under this category was the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, administered by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President.
The 1956 Reorganisation:
- In its report submitted on September 30, 1955, the SRC acknowledged that the growing importance of regional languages and political awareness made linguistic reorganisation inevitable.
- Following the SRC’s recommendations, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was enacted.
- It redrew India’s political map, reducing the existing divisions and reorganising the country into 14 states and six Union Territories, primarily along linguistic lines marking a turning point in India’s federal structure.
Language Was Not the Sole Criterion for State Reorganisation:
Conclusion:
While Governor Ravi’s criticisms of linguistic state divisions suggest a viewpoint that they create second-class citizens, a historical and contextual analysis reveals that linguistic recognition has been integral to India’s unity and administrative coherence.
- Acknowledging linguistic diversity is seen not only as a means to empower regional identities but also as a foundational pillar that supports the overall integrity of the Indian nation.
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