Topic– Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
2) linguistic diversity post-independence proved to be a source of social and political strife, Discuss. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity today?(250 words)
Bipin Chandra – India after Independence
Why this question:
Language created a great problem in post-independent era and continues to be one of the heavy weights on country’s political system. Thus the question measures language as a parameter of social and political strife and in what way formation of linguistic states has strengthened the cause of unity in India.
demand of the question:
The answer must bring out trace the linguistic diversity as a foundation of social and political conflict in the country. Later one has to analyze in what way the linguistic diversity of the country and reorganization of the nation based on it has strengthened the cause of Indian unity.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Narrate the background of events – the country was divided into more than 500 princely territories and the provinces of British India at the time of independence. After accession into the Union, there came the tacky issue of integrating the kingdoms and provinces into feasible administrative units.
Body
Comment on – The way Dhar commission, and then the JVP commission rejected the reorganization of states on linguistic basis despite demand for the same.
Fazl Ali commission or States Reorganization Commission, in 1953, allowed that in principle, while giving primacy to administrative convenience. Then move on to discuss how it strengthened the cause of Indian unity.
Later bring out how the linguistic reorganization also led to several unintended consequences such as regionalism, linguistic chauvinism and foundation of the “Sons of the soil” doctrine. Quote some examples.
Keywords:
Potti Sriramulu, linguistic recognition of the state etc.
Conclusion
conclude – linguistic reorganization also led to several unintended consequences such as regionalism, linguistic chauvinism and foundation of the “Sons of the soil” doctrine. But the political leadership of newly independent India had the foresight to visualize the consequences of not acquiescing to popular aspirations. Their decision to linguistically reorganize the states has therefore removed one important factor that would’ve jeopardized India’s integrity and thus strengthened the cause of Indian unity.
