HistoryModern India: Framing the Constitution

K. Santhanam argued against giving more and more responsibilities to…

K. Santhanam argued against giving more and more responsibilities to the Centre. According to him, what would happen if the Centre were overburdened with responsibilities?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → It could not function effectively in its work

Option (1) It would fail to stop the communal frenzy — Incorrect. Stopping the communal frenzy was a reason others gave for a stronger Centre.

Option (2) It would lose control of minerals and key industries — Incorrect. Control of minerals and key industries was given to the Union in the Draft Constitution.

Option (3) It could not function effectively in its work — Correct. Santhanam said an overburdened Centre could not function effectively. Passing some of its functions to the states would make it stronger.

Option (4) It could not speak effectively for the country abroad — Incorrect. Speaking for the whole country abroad was part of Nehru's case for a strong Centre.

NCERT (2026-27): “4.1 “The centre is likely to break”
The rights of the states were most eloquently defended by K. Santhanam from Madras. A reallocation of powers was necessary, he felt, to strengthen not only the states but also the Centre. “There is almost an obsession that by adding all kinds of powers to the Centre we can make it strong.” This was a misconception, said Santhanam. If the Centre was overburdened with responsibilities, it could not function effectively. By relieving it of some of its functions, and transferring them to the states, the Centre could, in fact, be made stronger.”