Federalism | Class 10 Social Science Notes

How is federalism practised?

Constitutional provisions are necessary but not sufficient for the success of federalism. In India, the success of federalism owes much to democratic politics, respect for diversity, and a shared desire for unity. One major example is the creation of linguistic states, which was a significant test for Indian democracy. After independence in 1947, the political map of India changed drastically with the reorganization of states to ensure that people speaking the same language lived in the same state. Some states were created based on culture, ethnicity, or geography, such as Nagaland, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand. Initially, the central government resisted linguistic states fearing disintegration, but experience showed that linguistic states strengthened national unity and made administration easier. Another test was the language policy. Hindi was made the official language, but safeguards were provided for other languages. English continued to be used officially after 1965 due to demands from non-Hindi speaking states, especially Tamil Nadu. This flexible approach avoided conflicts like those in Sri Lanka. Centre-State relations have evolved as well. Earlier, when the same party ruled at the center and states, states did not exercise autonomy. The central government sometimes dismissed state governments controlled by rival parties, undermining federalism. After 1990, the rise of regional parties and coalition governments at the center led to greater respect for state autonomy. A Supreme Court judgment made it difficult for the central government to dismiss states arbitrarily, strengthening federal power-sharing.

📊 Diagram: Has your village/ town/ city remained under the same State since Independence? If not, what was the name of the earlier State?; When the demand for the formation of States on the basis of language was raised, some national leaders feared that it would lead to the disintegration of the country. The Central Government resisted linguistic States for some time. But the experience has shown that the formation of linguistic States has actually made the country more united. It has also made administration easier.; Perils of Running a Coalition Government; Here are two cartoons showing the relationship between Centre and States. Should the State go to the Centre with a begging bowl? How can the leader of a coalition keep the partners of government satisfied?; Are you suggesting that regionalism is good for our democracy? Are you serious?

🔗 Connection: This section leads to the discussion on India's linguistic diversity and how it relates to federalism.