India at the time of independence in 1947 was composed of nearly 550 disjointed princely states. In 1950, the Constitution classified states into Parts A, B, C, and D, based on political and historical considerations as opposed to linguistic or cultural divisions. This, however, was a temporary arrangement due to the multilingual nature of the country and differences existing between various regions.
Subsequently, there rose a need to reorganize states on a permanent basis. Hence, in 1948, the SK Dhar Committee was appointed by the government to examine the necessity of state reorganization based on linguistic aspects. The committee’s preference leaned towards reorganization aligned with administrative convenience including historical and geographical factors rather than linguistic lines. Discontent with this decision led to the formation of another committee, The Linguistic Provinces Committee.
The JVP Committee
In December 1948, the JVP Committee was formed to study the issue. Despite dismissing the idea of reorganising states on a linguistic basis, it stated that the issue merits reconsideration in light of public demand. However, following public protest, the Government of India separated the Telugu-speaking areas from the Madras state, creating the first linguistic state, Andhra, in October 1953.
Further, a commission under Fazl Ali was set up by Jawaharlal Nehru on the 22nd of December, 1953 to consider state reorganisation. The commission submitted its report in 1955, recommending the division of the entire nation into 16 states and three centrally administered areas.
The government passed the States Reorganisation Act in November 1956, dividing the country into 14 states and 6 union territories, without wholly agreeing with the commission’s recommendations.
Continuous Changes in the Political Map of India
Despite the significant reorganisation in 1956, the political map of India underwent constant changes due to popular protests and shifting political conditions. On 5th August 2019, the President of India, exercising powers under Article 370 of the Constitution, issued the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019. This order divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, namely, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
More recently, the Union Territories of Daman and Diu (D&D) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (DNH) merged under the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019. At present, India comprises 28 states and 8 union territories.
Karnataka-Maharashtra Dispute: A case study
Karnataka and Maharashtra have long disputed over the district of Belagavi, or as Maharashtra prefers, Belgaum. Currently part of Karnataka, but claimed by Maharashtra, Belgaum has been a contentious issue dating back to 1957 when Maharashtra demanded readjustment of its border with Karnataka dissatisfied with the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Maharashtra’s claim rests on the basis of contiguity, relative linguistic majority and wishes of the people. They invoked specific clauses of the Reorganization Act and submitted a memorandum to the Home Ministry listing objections to Marathi-speaking areas being added to Karnataka.
Karnataka argues that the settlement of boundaries as per the Act is final, rejecting any possibility of flexibility. They contend that admitting such a demand would reopen border issues not contemplated under the Act.
Despite numerous discussions and committees set up to resolve the issue, a unanimous decision has not been reached. The issue is still being heard by the Supreme Court as of the present day.
Last Modified: February 14, 2024