When language determined state boundaries

Odisha became the forerunner for linguistic reorganisation of states. In 1953, Andhra Pradesh was carved out of the then State of Madras, and the first one to be formed on linguistic lines after Independence. 

However, prior to that, the Linguistic Provinces Commission (also known as Dhar Commission) had been set up by Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly, in June 1948. 

SK Dhar, who led the Commission six months later, recommended that reorganisation of states be done on historical and geographical considerations, rather than on linguistic lines. This prompted Congress in its Jaipur session to form JVP Committee, comprising of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya, to go into Dhar’s report in December 1948. 

The JVP Committee’s report that came within four months, underscored the need for the Union to bow to public sentiments on reorganisation of states on linguistic lines. Andhra’s birth in 1953 revived the linguistic movements seeking separate statehood, and Jawaharlal Nehru’s government formed the State Reorganisation Commission (SRC). 

The Commission, led by Fazal Ali, submitted its report to the Union two months after its institution, and suggested the Indian states’ boundaries be reorganised, to form 16 states and three Union Territories (UTs). 

After debating the SRC report at length, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was enacted, and it paved the way for formation of 14 states and six UTs. It remains as the biggest ever reorganisation in the country, while bifurcations had led to formation of new states, with the latest among them being Telangana. Currently, the nation is made up of 29 states and seven UTs. 

Madras and its reorganisation 

The capital city Madras became the centre of controversy as Andhra wanted it as its capital, while Madras wanted to retain in, besides wanting Tirupati. While Andhra’s slogan was Madras manade (Madras is ours), it was staunchly opposed by MP Sivagnanam, also known as Ma Po Si. His counter slogan, Thalai Koduthenum Thalai Nagarai Kaapom; Venkathai Vidamattom  (We will have Madras as capital even by sacrificing our lives; We will not give up Tirupati).  

The then Mayor of Madras, T Chengalvarayan, in a special meeting, moved a resolution against bifurcation of Madras or to make it an interim capital of Andhra. Madras succeeded in retaining its capital, and Nehru informed  Parliament, in 1953, that the capital of Andhra would be located within its boundaries. 

The struggle led by a PS Mani, Marshal A Nesamony, and Kunjan Nadar on the southern front also saw the demand for merger of Agastheeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam, Vilavancode and Shencottah. While a section of Shencottah was merged with Madras State, the rest was apportioned to Travancore-Cochin State. With regard to the protests to merge Devikulam, and Peermedu with Madras, the Union decided against it.