In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.

Assertion: The Political leadership, under popular pressure, finally made a choice in favour of linguistic states.
Reason: It was hoped that if we accept the regional and linguistic claims of all regions, the threat of division and separatism would be reduced.

Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

One of the most important concerns in the early years was that demands for separate states would endanger the unity of the country. It was felt that linguistic states may foster separatism and create pressure on the newly founded nation. But the leadership, under popular pressure, finally made a choice in favour of linguistic states. It was hoped that if we accept the regional and linguistic claims of all regions, the threat of division and separatism would be reduced. Besides, the accommodation of regional demands and the formation of linguistic states were also seen as more democratic.