Question

Why was the formation of linguistic states inevitable after independence?

Answer 1

Hint: India had faced many challenges after Independence. One among them was the challenge of the reorganisation of Indian territories on a linguistic basis. This led to widespread protests in the country and people started demanding linguistic states. These widespread struggles led the central government to set up the States reorganisation commission in 1953 to look into the question of redrawing boundaries of the state.

Complete answer: Our national movement had rejected the boundaries created and drawn by Britishers. They wanted to reorganize state boundaries that reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the nation without affecting the Unity of India. However, things have changed after independence and leaders feared that carving out states on the basis of language may lead to disintegration and disruption. This was challenged by the local leaders when protests began in the old Madras province. The Vishalandhra movement demanded a separate state for Telugu speaking people from the Madras province. This was supported by many leaders and people. Potti Sriramalu went on the fast strike which took his life and caused violent outburst. Finally the Prime Minister announced the state of Andhra Pradesh. The formation of Andhra Pradesh spurred the struggle for making other states on linguistic basis. This forced the Government to appoint the States reorganisation commission in 1953 to look into the question of redrawing boundaries of the state. However, leaders feared separatism in the newly formed nation but formed states on linguistic basis.

Note: The old Madras province includes present-day Tamil Nadu, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The States reorganisation commission presented a report with 14 states and 6 union territories.