Evolution of States and Union Territories

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The formation of Indian states was influenced by historical events and circumstances. Since gaining independence, there has been a growing need for more practical changes in governance.

The creation of Indian states took into account regional languages, as well as financial, economic, and administrative factors. In 1951, India had 27 states, each further divided into Parts A, B, C, and D.

Initially, the integration of princely states with the rest of India was done temporarily. However, there were increasing calls from different regions, especially South India, for the restructuring of states based on language.

To address these demands, the government established various commissions to examine the need for state reorganization.

State Reorganisation Commissions

There have been several important commissions established to oversee the reorganization of states, including the Dhar Commission, JVP Committee, and Fazal Ali Commission.

Dhar Commission (June 1948)

Constituted in June 1948 to assess the feasibility of the linguistic organization of states.
Recommended state reorganization based on the following criteria:
- Geographical contiguity
- Financial self-reliance
- Administrative viability
- Potential for development
Significance of Dhar Commission:
- Opposed the exclusive or predominant formation of provinces based on linguistic considerations.
- Emphasized larger national challenges faced by the country.
- Aligned with the opinions of key figures in the Constituent Assembly.
- Recommendations of the Dhar Commission led to significant resentment.
Another committee was established, consisting of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
Named the JVP committee after the first letters of their first names.

JVP Committee (December 1948)

This committee, formed in December 1948, presented its report in April 1949. It explicitly rejected language as the primary criterion for the reorganization of states.

Recommendations:

The committee opposed the linguistic factor for state reorganization.
It reaffirmed the position of the Dhar Commission in its 1949 report.
Recommended state reorganization based on security, unity, and economic prosperity of the nation.
Suggested delaying the creation of new provinces for a few years to focus on other pressing issues.

Potti Sreeramulu and the Creation of Andhra State:

A prominent Telugu leader, Potti Sreeramulu, demanded the formation of Andhra State carved out of Madras state.
In pursuit of his demands, he initiated a hunger strike but tragically died in December 1952 (15 December).
To quell public unrest, the first linguistic-based state reorganization occurred, leading to the creation of Andhra State by separating Telugu-speaking areas from Madras state.

State Reorganisation Commission (Fazal Ali Commission)

The creation of Andhra Pradesh heightened demands for linguistic-based states in other regions, prompting the government to reevaluate the entire issue. Consequently, a new commission, named the State Reorganisation (Fazal Ali Commission), was established.

The Fazal Ali Commission, formed in December 1953, comprised three members, including K.M. Panikkar and H.N. Kunzru. The commission submitted its report in September 1955.

Key points from the Fazal Ali Commission’s recommendations:

It generally supported the idea of reorganizing states based on linguistic similarities but rejected the concept of one state, one language.
Recognized four major factors for state reorganization:
1. Linguistic and Cultural Similarities
2. Strengthening and Preserving the Unity and Integrity of India
3. Administrative, Financial, and Economic Considerations
4. Planning and Promotion of People’s Welfare

Outcome of State Reorganisation Commission:

The government accepted the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission, making minor adjustments. This led to the passage of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 and the 7th Amendment Act of 1956. Notably, the distinction between Part-A and Part-B states was removed, and Part-C states were eliminated.

As a result of these changes, some states were merged with adjacent ones, while others were designated as union territories (a term introduced for the first time by the 7th constitutional amendment). By November 1956, India was composed of 14 States and 6 Union Territories.

States Reorganisation Act 1956:

Enacted in November 1956 based on the recommendations of the State Reorganisation Commission (Fazl Ali Commission).
Provided for 14 states and 6 centrally governed territories.
The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act replaced the four types of states (Part A, B, C, and D).

Key Changes:

The Act introduced a new Article-350A, implementing a key recommendation of the State Reorganisation Commission, focusing on safeguarding linguistic minorities.
While not radically altering the map, the Act did have significant impacts. For instance:
- The larger Andhra Pradesh State was created by merging the former Part B State of Hyderabad with Andhra State.
- The former Part B State of Mysore became a more substantial State of Karnataka, incorporating additional territories from the States of Madras (Tamil Nadu) and Bombay.
- The State of Kerala was carved out of the former Part B State of Travancore-Cochin, with new territories acquired from the State of Madras.

Changes in the Indian States since 1956:

After 1956, there were several important events in the formation of states in India:

1960: Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujarat.
1963: Nagaland was created as a separate state from Assam.
1966: Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were formed, separating from the state of Punjab.
1972: New states—Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura—came into existence.
1975: Sikkim officially became a part of the Indian union.
1987: Goa and Arunachal Pradesh transitioned from Union Territories to full-fledged states.
2000: Three new states were created—Uttaranchal (from Uttar Pradesh), Jharkhand (from Bihar), and Chhattisgarh (from Madhya Pradesh).
2014: Finally, Telangana was formed, becoming India’s 29th state, separating from Andhra Pradesh.

Current Statehood Demands in India:

Vidarbha:

Location: Amravati and Nagpur divisions in eastern Maharashtra.
Historical Context: The State Reorganisation Act of 1956 initially recommended Vidarbha’s creation as a separate state with Nagpur as its capital. However, it was eventually included in Maharashtra in 1960.
Reason for Demand: Backwardness attributed to neglect by successive state governments.

Delhi:

Legal Background: The 69th Constitutional Amendment Act (1991) introduced Article 239AA, granting Special Status to Delhi among Union Territories.
Current Status: Delhi, despite having special status, lacks full statehood recognition, as critical areas like Public Order, Police, and Land are under the control of the Central Government.
Demand: Aspires for full statehood to gain control over substantial powers.

Uttar Pradesh (UP) – Proposed Splits:

Proposal: In 2011, then UP Chief Minister Mayawati proposed splitting UP into four smaller states – Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh, and Paschim Pradesh – for improved administration.
Status: The resolution faced challenges under the Congress government at the center and did not progress.

Harit Pradesh:

Area: Comprises agriculturally dominant districts in Western Uttar Pradesh.

Purvanchal:

Geographic Region: Encompasses the eastern end of Uttar Pradesh.

Bodoland:

Ethnic Group: Bodos, the largest ethnic and linguistic community in northern Assam.

Saurashtra:

Background: Movement for a separate Saurashtra state initiated in 1972.
Reasons: Lack of water supply, job opportunities, and linguistic differences from the rest of the state.

Gorkhaland:

Proposed Area: Includes Darjeeling hills and Dooars in the northern part of West Bengal.
Reasons for Demand: Economic disparities, disputes over resource sharing, linguistic and cultural differences.

Common Reasons for Statehood Demands:

Economic Disparities: Regions rich in natural resources facing economic challenges.
Resource Allocation Disputes: Conflicts over sharing and utilization of natural resources with the mother states.
Evolving Basis: While linguistic and cultural factors were primary for state creation, current demands emphasize issues such as competition for local resources, government negligence, improper resource allocation, cultural differences, and economic challenges.
Additional Factors: ‘The sons of the soil’ sentiments, popular mobilization, and democratic political processes contribute to statehood demands.

FAQs on the Evolution of States and Union Territories

1. Why were Indian states initially formed, and what factors influenced their creation?

Answer: Indian states were initially formed considering historical events and circumstances. Factors such as regional languages, financial self-reliance, administrative viability, and potential for development played a crucial role. In 1951, India had 27 states, divided into Parts A, B, C, and D.

2. What was the role of the Dhar Commission in the reorganization of states, and what were its key recommendations?

Answer: The Dhar Commission, established in June 1948, assessed the feasibility of linguistic organization of states. It recommended state reorganization based on geographical contiguity, financial self-reliance, administrative viability, and development potential. The commission opposed exclusive linguistic considerations, aligning with key figures in the Constituent Assembly.

3. How did the JVP Committee differ from the Dhar Commission, and what were its recommendations?

Answer: Formed in December 1948, the JVP Committee rejected language as the primary criterion for state reorganization. It aligned with the Dhar Commission’s position and recommended state reorganization based on security, unity, and economic prosperity. The committee suggested delaying the creation of new provinces to focus on pressing issues.

4. What role did Potti Sreeramulu play in the linguistic-based state reorganization, and what were the outcomes?

Answer: Potti Sreeramulu, a Telugu leader, demanded the creation of Andhra State. His hunger strike led to the first linguistic-based state reorganization, resulting in the formation of Andhra State by separating Telugu-speaking areas from Madras state.

5. Why was the Fazal Ali Commission established, and what were its key recommendations?

Answer: The Fazal Ali Commission was formed in December 1953 after the creation of Andhra Pradesh. It generally supported linguistic-based state reorganization, recognizing factors like linguistic and cultural similarities, unity and integrity, administrative considerations, and people’s welfare. The commission rejected the concept of one state, one language.

6. What were the outcomes of the State Reorganisation Commission’s recommendations in 1956?

Answer: The government accepted the recommendations, leading to the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. The Act resulted in the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories, eliminating the distinction between Part-A and Part-B states. Significant mergers and territorial changes took place.

7. How did the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 impact linguistic minorities, and what new Article was introduced?

Answer: The Act introduced Article-350A, focusing on safeguarding linguistic minorities, implementing a key recommendation of the State Reorganisation Commission. It did not radically alter the map but had significant impacts on state boundaries.

8. What were some notable changes in Indian states since 1956, and how did they occur?

Answer: Notable changes post-1956 include the division of Bombay state into Maharashtra and Gujarat, the creation of new states like Nagaland, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim joining the union, and the formation of Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.

9. What are some current statehood demands in India, and what are the common reasons behind these demands?

Answer: Current statehood demands include Vidarbha, Delhi seeking full statehood, proposed splits in Uttar Pradesh, demands for Harit Pradesh, Purvanchal, Bodoland, Saurashtra, and Gorkhaland. Common reasons behind these demands include economic disparities, resource allocation disputes, ‘sons of the soil’ sentiments, and cultural and linguistic differences.

10. How have the basis and factors influencing statehood demands in India evolved over time?

Answer: While linguistic and cultural factors were primary for state creation, current demands emphasize issues such as competition for local resources, government negligence, improper resource allocation, cultural differences, economic challenges, and ‘sons of the soil’ sentiments. Popular mobilization and democratic political processes also contribute to statehood demands.

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Evolution of States and Union Territories – UPSC Notes – Indian Polity