Secession
Topic: Federalism and Centre-State Relations · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 7 "Federalism"
Meaning
Secession means a region formally leaving a country to become a separate country or to join another one. The Indian Constitution gives it no place. India is a "Union of States" (Article 1), and no state can leave it. Autonomy is different: it means more power for a state inside the Union. After the DMK's demand for Dravida Nadu, the 16th Amendment (1963) allowed reasonable limits on free speech to protect India's sovereignty and integrity.
Example
The DMK's early demand for a separate Dravida Nadu was a secessionist demand. After the 16th Amendment (1963), arguing for secession could be restricted by law.
Don't confuse with
- State autonomy: seeks more power for states while staying within India, for example through the Rajamannar Committee's demands. Secession seeks to leave India.