convenience. Development of the various lan-of the country. For the first time since
FROM 50 YEARS AGO
guages suffered. Illiteracy prevailed. Emer-Independence, Congress, under Pandit Nehru’s gence of social and political consciousness domination, has disclosed deplorable confuwas delayed. To encourage the development sion of thought and purpose. Its first mistake of the distinctive languages, cultures and was to deny the demand for linguistic States. traditions of the inhabitants in the various Its second mistake was to act and to plan in parts of the country, Congress rightly advo-such a way as to concede, even by implication,Vol VIII, Nos 3, 4 and 5, January 1956 cated the theory of linguistic States. By that formation of linguistic States involved
disowning its past, Congress is posing a threat acceptance of multinational units within theCrisis within Congress to its as well as the nation’s stability… Republic of India… (Editorials) It has been remarked that Congress is trying Irredentist elements have supported linguis
to introduce Socialism in a way in which it tic States on the sub-nation theory. Even as
Today, as the people celebrate the sixth should not be implemented. Circumstances linguistic States should be formed these comanniversary of the Republic, India faces the will force Congress to relearn Socialism. bative, anti-national claims must be countered gravest crisis since Independence. It is a crisis Equally compelling circumstances will effectively. India is not a multinational entity. for Congress as well as for the nation. It is an necessitate a change in Congress attitude to Formation of linguistic States does not mean irony of history that Congress is now accentuat-linguistic States. It is not without significance acceptance of the sub-nation theory... Unless ing the crisis by its unwillingness to own that the revolutionary social, political and the demand for linguistic States, with proper its past policies and actions. Before Indepen-economic reforms so far introduced by constitutional safeguards, is accepted by dence, Congress initiated and encouraged the Congress have been through legislation Congress, history will accuse it of lack of vision principle of reorganisation of States on a lingui-by consent, while the Congress plan for in not adopting a proper solution of the probstic basis. Under British Raj, the country was divi-reorganisation of States has caused violent lem in time so as to eliminate fantastic claims ded into provinces for purely administrative disturbances and discontent in many parts about multinational units or about State Rights.
Economic and Political Weekly January 28, 2006
