Linguistic federalism
Topic: Federalism and Centre-State Relations · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 10 "The Philosophy of the Constitution"
Meaning
Linguistic federalism means India's states are drawn mainly around major languages. Each large language group gets political recognition, often a state of its own. The original Constitution did not require this. It came later through political demand. NCERT (Class 10) says linguistic states actually made India more united, because people felt their culture was respected.
Example
The States Reorganisation Commission was set up in 1953, and the States Reorganisation Act followed in 1956. Later, Bombay State was split into Gujarat and Maharashtra (1960), and Punjab and Haryana were separated (1966).
Don't confuse with
- Secession: this means leaving India. Linguistic states are created inside the Union, under Art. 3.
Related concepts
- Formation of new states
- Admission of new states
- First Schedule
- Indestructible Union of destructible states
- Land Boundary Agreement