Creation of New States

Colonial Legacy

After the partition and integration of princely states, the challenge was to draw internal boundaries of Indian states. Colonial-era boundaries were often based on administrative convenience or British territorial acquisitions. The national movement rejected these divisions, advocating for linguistic principles in state reorganization. Congress recognized linguistic principles after the 1920 Nagpur session, organizing provincial committees accordingly. Post-independence, leaders feared linguistic states might lead to disruption and distract from other challenges. Central leadership postponed linguistic reorganization due to uncertainty over princely states and lingering partition memories. Local leaders and people protested against the postponement, especially in Telugu-speaking areas of Madras province. Vishalandhra movement demanded a separate Andhra province for Telugu-speaking regions, gaining widespread support. Potti Sriramulu’s hunger strike and subsequent death after 56 days intensified unrest and violence in the Andhra region. Protests led to the resignations of legislators and widespread public demonstrations. Prime Minister announced the formation of a separate Andhra state in December 1952 in response to mounting pressure....

States Reorganisation Commission

States Reorganisation Commission was established in 1953 to address the issue of redrawing state boundaries. It advocated aligning state boundaries with linguistic and cultural affinities. States Reorganisation Act (1956) enacted based on the Commission’s recommendations, resulting in the creation of 14 states and six union territories. This legislative action aimed to provide a more cohesive framework for state boundaries. The formation of Andhra Pradesh sparked similar demands for linguistic states across the country. In response, the Central Government established the States Reorganisation Commission in 1953 to address state boundary redrawings. The Commission recommended redrawing state boundaries to reflect linguistic diversity. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was enacted based on the Commission’s report, creating 14 states and six union territories. Initially, there were concerns that linguistic states might threaten national unity by fostering separatism. However, under popular pressure, the leadership decided in favor of linguistic states, hoping it would reduce the threat of division. Linguistic states were seen as a more democratic way to accommodate regional demands. Over fifty years since their formation, linguistic states have transformed democratic politics, opening pathways to power for non-English-speaking populations. Linguistic reorganization provided a uniform basis for drawing state boundaries and did not lead to the country’s disintegration as feared. Linguistic states symbolize India’s acceptance of diversity, demonstrating that democracy encompasses recognizing and accepting differences, even opposing ones. Democracy in India is associated with plurality of ideas and ways of life, shaping political dynamics in subsequent years....

Creation of New States

Initially, Bombay State was formed as a bilingual state, accommodating Gujarati- and Marathi-speaking populations. After public agitation, Maharashtra and Gujarat were established as separate states in 1960, based on linguistic lines. Punjab faced a linguistic divide between Hindi- and Punjabi-speaking communities. While demands for a separate Punjabi-speaking state were made in 1956, it was granted a decade later in 1966, leading to the creation of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Significant reorganisation occurred in the northeast in 1972. Meghalaya was carved out of Assam, while Manipur and Tripura emerged as separate states. Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were established in 1987, while Nagaland had achieved statehood earlier in 1963. While language initially drove state organisation, other factors later influenced demands for statehood. Sub-regions began seeking separate states based on unique regional cultures or grievances regarding developmental imbalances. Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand were established in 2000 in response to regional demands and developmental concerns. However, the process of reorganisation continues, with movements in various regions advocating for the formation of smaller, separate states. Examples include Telangana in Andhra Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Harit Pradesh in western Uttar Pradesh, and the northern region of West Bengal, among others....

Conclusion – Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 1 Reorganisation of States

The reorganisation of states in India stemmed from the need to balance cultural and linguistic diversity with national unity, moving away from colonial-era administrative boundaries. The linguistic principle advocated by Congress paved the way for the establishment of linguistic states, which aimed to accommodate regional diversity. The creation of linguistic states not only facilitated broader democratic participation but also strengthened national unity by recognizing and accepting diverse cultural identities. Beyond linguistic considerations, demands for statehood later emerged based on unique regional cultures and developmental concerns, leading to the creation of new states like Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand. Despite the creation of new states, movements advocating for further reorganisation continue, reflecting ongoing debates about governance and identity at the regional level....

FAQs on Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 1 Reorganisation of States

What was the primary concern regarding internal state boundaries after India’s partition and integration of Princely States?...