Linguistic Reorganisation of States

- Linguistic Demands: Post-independence, there was widespread demand for states based on linguistic lines to better represent local languages and cultures.
- Administrative Efficiency: It was also seen as a way to improve governance by aligning administrative boundaries with linguistic identities.

S K Dhar Commission (1948)
- Member are SK Dhar, JN Lal, and Panna Lall.
- Rejected the idea of linguistic reorganization of sates.
- It emphasized factors such as geographical continuity, financial self-sufficiency, administrative convenience, and future development capacity for state reorganization.
- Emphasized safeguarding tribal rights, including land rights and cultural practices.
JVP Committee (1948)
- Members are Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Congress President Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
- Shifted focus from language to factors like security, unity, and economic prosperity.
  Recommended delaying the creation of new provinces to address other important issues.
Fazl Ali Commission (1953)
- Members are Justice Fazal Ali, Sardar K. M. Panikkar, and Hriday Nath Kunzru.
- Accepted language as one of the basis for state reorganisation.
  Rejected the concept of one language – one state.
- Advocated for the establishment of 16 states and 3 centrally administered territories.
Movement Led to Linguistic Reorganisation of State
- Vishalandhra Movement: Potti Sriramulu, a freedom fighter, fasted until death in 1948 demanding the creation of a distinct Andhra state. Throughout Andhra, violent riots and demonstrations were sparked by his death. The government eventually acceded to the demand, and Andhra was established as the first linguistic state in October 1953.

The act came into effect on November 1, 1956, leading to the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories.
Notable Changes Included
- Creation of Andhra Pradesh for Telugu speakers (the first state to be created based on language in 1953, preceding the Act).
- Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed from the bilingual Bombay State in 1960.
  Kerala was created from the former state of Travancore-Cochin and Malabar.
  Punjab and Haryana were reorganised in 1966.
- Impact on Union Territories : Several regions with smaller populations or strategic importance were organised as Union Territories (e.g., Delhi, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

1960: Division of Bombay State into Maharashtra and Gujarat.
1966: Division of Punjab, resulting in the creation of Haryana and Chandigarh as a union territory.
1971- 87: Creation of several new states and Union Territories, including Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, and Mizoram.
2000: Formation of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, respectively.
2014: Formation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.
2019: Reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.