Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India

 

Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India

Introduction

Modern states are large and complex with several cultural and economic problems and historical experiences add complexity to their problems. Since independence Indian state has to deal with the demands of separate statehood largely based on language, culture, ethnicity, religion etc. Later the basis for separate statehood demands were largely shifted to better governance and greater participation, administrative convenience, economic viability in the developmental needs of sub regions. The very beginning of 21st century in India also witnessed the creation of three new states- Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand and more recently Telangana got the separate statehood.

Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India

As democracy takes firm roots such aspirations also grow. The hitherto neglected sections of the populations realise their own importance, demand new provinces or states want new borders and secure autonomy. In the 1950’s there was urging demand in the people, especially in the Telugu speaking population, for reorganisation of states on lingual lines. Potti Sreeramulu started indefinite fast for supporting his cause of states reorganisation. His death on 56th day of fast resulted in widespread violence and the government was forced to constitute a State Reorganisation Commission. In 1953, the first state of Andhra Pradesh was created on basis of language. On the basis of the recommendations of State Reorganisation Commission in 1956, 14 states and 6 UTs were created. Vidarbha: It comprises the Amravati and Nagpur divisions of eastern Maharashtra.

Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India


The State Reorganisation Act of 1956 recommended the creation of Vidarbha state with Nagpur as the capital, but instead it was included in Maharashtra state, which was formed on May 1, 1960. Backwardness of region due to the neglect of successive state governments, is justified as the basis for demand of separate state of Vidarbha. Delhi: 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991, inserted Article 239AA in Indian constitution which grants Special Status to Delhi among Union Territories (UTs). The amendment does not provide Delhi with the recognition of a full fledged state as Public Order, Police & Land in NCT of Delhi fall within the domain and control of Central Government.

Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India

To gain the control of such substantive powers, Delhi government is aspiring for full statehood. The question of the division of Uttar Pradesh into four states was a major poll issue during the build up to the 2012 UP Assembly Elections. In 2011, then UP Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief, Mayawati, passed a resolution in the Assembly to split UP into four smaller states – Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh – in the interest of providing better administration. The resolution later got stuck with the Congress government at the centre. Historically, the state comprised provinces that were collectively called ‘The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh’. This was shortened by the Government of India Act 1935 to United Provinces and was later renamed Uttar Pradesh (as the term ‘province’ didn’t fit in with the idea of Republic).

Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India

In 1955, Ambedkar proposed the idea of splitting UP into three states – through his book, ‘Thoughts On Linguistic States’. He suggested the creation of three states, with Meerut as the capital of the Western Region, Allahabad as the capital of the Eastern Region and Kanpur as the capital of the Central region. This is what the BSP had in mind while proposing the split in 2011.

Examine the reasons for the rise of demand for statehood in independent India

Harit Pradesh: It consists agriculturally dominated districts of Western Uttar Pradesh. Purvanchal: It is a geographic region of north-central India, which comprises the eastern end of Uttar Pradesh state. It is bounded by Nepal to the north, Bihar state to the east, Bagelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh state to the south, the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh to the west. Purvanchal comprises three divisions – Awadhi region in the west, Bhojpuri region in the east and the Baghelkhand region in the south.

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