In the given question, a statement of Assertion is followed by a statement of Reason. Mark the correct answer.
Assertion: In 1956, the states in India were formed on the basis of language.
Reason: After the Nagpur session of Congress in 1920 the linguistic principle was recognized as the basis of the reorganization of the Indian National Congress party itself.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
Under colonial rule, state boundaries were determined based on administrative convenience or coincided with territories controlled by the British or princely powers.
The national movement rejected these divisions as artificial and advocated for the linguistic principle as the basis for state formation.
After its Nagpur session in 1920, Congress recognized the linguistic principle for the reorganization of its party committees.
However, after Independence and partition, there were concerns that creating states solely based on language could lead to disruption and detract from other pressing social and economic issues.
The central leadership decided to postpone the matter of linguistic reorganization.
The States Reorganization Commission was established in 1953 to study linguistic and cultural divisions and recommend state boundary changes.
The Commission concluded that state boundaries should align with linguistic boundaries, acknowledging India's linguistic diversity and respecting regional identities.
Based on the Commission's recommendations, the States Reorganization Act was passed in 1956, providing a constitutional basis for the creation of linguistic states.
The implementation of the act led to the formation of 14 new states and 6 union territories, promoting better governance, administration, and representation of diverse linguistic and cultural groups.