After
Independence, why was there a reluctance to divide the country on
linguistic lines?
After Independence, why was there a reluctance to divide the country on linguistic lines?
In
the 1920s, the Congress had promised that once the country won
independence, each major linguistic group would have its own
province. However, after independence, it did not take any steps to
honour this promise. There was a reason for this. India had already
been divided on the basis of religion. The joy of freedom had come
along with the tragedy of Partition. This Partition had led to the
killing of a million people in riots. Fresh divisions were not
considered to be feasible. Congress leaders believed that any further
divisions of the country would only disrupt its unity and progress.
They felt that the need of the hour was for India to remain strong
and united, and work towards becoming a nation, and anything that
hindered the growth of nationalism had to be rejected.
In the 1920s, the Congress had promised that once the country won independence, each major linguistic group would have its own province. However, after independence, it did not take any steps to honour this promise. There was a reason for this. India had already been divided on the basis of religion. The joy of freedom had come along with the tragedy of Partition. This Partition had led to the killing of a million people in riots. Fresh divisions were not considered to be feasible. Congress leaders believed that any further divisions of the country would only disrupt its unity and progress. They felt that the need of the hour was for India to remain strong and united, and work towards becoming a nation, and anything that hindered the growth of nationalism had to be rejected.
