Question

Discuss the linguistic reorganisation of the state with reference to Andhra.

Answer 1

Events leading to the linguistic reorganisation of Andhra:

1. In 1948, the Constituent Assembly set up the Linguistic Provinces Commission under the leadership of Justice S.K. Dhar to examine whether provinces should be formed on a linguistic basis. Initially, it was believed that linguistic provinces might weaken national unity and create administrative problems, but public demand and pressure persisted.
2. The Congress later formed the JVP Committee, consisting of Nehru, Patel, and Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya. This committee placed greater emphasis on national unity and security.
3. However, the Congress leaders could not ignore the strong public demand for linguistic states. The JVP Committee agreed to the formation of a separate Andhra Pradesh. This demand was supported by all political parties and leaders, and even the Tamil leaders accepted it.
4. A dispute arose between the two sides regarding which state the city of Madras should belong to. Andhra did not want to cede Madras, even though it was linguistically and geographically part of Tamil Nadu.
5. On 19th October 1952, the freedom fighter Potti Sriramulu began a fast unto death demanding a separate state of Andhra Pradesh. After fasting for 58 days, he died, which resulted in riots and violence.
6. Ultimately, the government was compelled to accept the demand and agreed to create a separate Andhra state. It was formed in October 1952, and Madras State became a Tamil-speaking state.