Q.6 Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

Political scholars have remarked that India is a “Nation of Nations”. Western nations and many skeptics believed that the Indian wouldn't be able to survive as a nation because of it's enormous diversity and would disintegrate and split. Europe is Balkanized on the same factors of language and culture.

Language and customs have a huge impact on culture. Indian National Congress (INC) had recognized this affinity during freedom struggle itself. The 1928 Nehru report had linguistic provinces as one of its recommendation.

However the bloody partition during our independence gave rise to fears of security and stability. S K Das Commission and JVP Committee recommended against linguistic reorganization of states. However the death of Potti Sriramelu . A Congress activist by fast unto death precipitated the creation of Andhra Pradesh from erstwhile Madras province. Later, based on the recommendations of States Reorganization Commission India was reorganized into linguistic states by States Reorganization Act, 1956.

Despite the fears that linguistic reorganization might encourage secsecessionist tendencies, Indian unity has gained strengthed. It gave rise to healthy competition among states. Citizen's developmental and governance aspiration were better articulated and realised . Studies have shown that locals are more sensitive and respond proactively to the needs of people.

Unlike US which beleives in it's ‘melting pot’ modal of national integration, Indian constitution envisages assimilation based on ‘Unity in diversity’. Differences are respected as well as cherished by Indian stats. Recogonizing linguistic diversity has provided an impetus to national integration and administration.