Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:
The background to the SRC is as follows. In the 1920s, the Indian National Congress was reconstituted on lingusitic lines. Its provincial units now followed the logic of language - one for Marathi speakers, another for Oriya speakers, etc. At the same time, Gandhi and other leaders promised their followers that when freedom came, the new nation would be based on a new set of provinces based on the principle of language. However, when India was finally freed in 1947, it was also divided. Now, when the proponents of linguistic states asked for this promise to be redeemed, the Congress hesitated. Partition was the consequence of intense attachment to one's faith; how many more partitions would that other intense loyalty, language, lead to?
The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was constituted to re-frame provinces on the basis of _____.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Language
Option (1) Religion — Incorrect. Religion was the reason the leaders hesitated. Partition had come out of intense attachment to one’s faith, and they feared that the other strong loyalty, language, might lead to more partitions. Religion was never the basis on which the provinces were redrawn.
Option (2) Language — Correct. From the 1920s the Congress had organised its provincial units by language – one for Marathi speakers, another for Oriya speakers. The States Reorganisation Commission, formed after Potti Sriramulu’s death, put the final seal of approval on the principle of linguistic states in 1956.
NCERT (2025-26): “Linguistic States Helped Strengthen Indian Unity … The background to the SRC is as follows. In the 1920s, the Indian National Congress was reconstituted on lingusitic lines. Its provincial units now followed the logic of language – one for Marathi speakers, another for Oriya speakers, etc.…” “…However, the most militant protests ensued from the very large community of Telugu speakers. In October 1953, Potti Sriramulu, a former Gandhian, died seven weeks after beginning a fast unto death. Potti Sriramulu’s martyrdom provoked violent protests and led to the creation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It also led to the formation of the SRC, which in 1956 put the formal, final seal of approval on the principle of linguistic states.…” |