New Delhi: At a time when the issue of a
separate Telangana state is in focus, a book just brought out
says that the success of the struggle for formation of Andhra
Pradesh in 1953 had shown the way for redrawing of boundaries
of several states.
"The success of the struggle for a separate state in
Andhra in 1953 encouraged other states to demand autonomy or
redrawing of boundaries on the basis of language", the book
brought out by the Congress says.
Edited by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the book
`Congress And The Making Of The Indian Nation` recalls that
the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru set up the States
Reorganization Commission in 1953.
The states were eventually reorganised on grounds of
language by the end of the 1950s.
The book says that though the Congress had accepted
language as the basis for formation of states since 1921, the
experience of partition "urged it to give top priority to
unity".
The Jaipur session of the Congress reiterated the
acceptance of linguistic divisions in principle, the book says
adding that a Committee comprising Nehru, Sardar Patel and
Pattabhi Sitaramayya was set up to examine the issue.
"The Committee report was not in favour of further
linguistic divisions. It felt that any effort at re-drawing
the boundaries of the states might harm unity, by dislodging
the administration, disrupting economic development and
accentuating linguistic rivalries", the book says.
However, the success of the struggle for a separate
state in Andhra in 1953 changed matters.
The book was released by Manmohan Singh and Sonia
Gandhi at last week`s plenary as part of the 125-year
celebrations.
It is the fifth of a series planned during the 1985
centenary celebrations under Rajiv`s leadership.
Rajiv is said to have instructed that the five-volume
history should be written by "professionals" and the "facts"
be presented in a manner that future generations can judge
the Congress for themselves.
So, the party commissioned historians to write it.
Pranab Mukherjee is the chief editor.
PTI
