Experiment of an assimilative state by Nehru

Mumbai: he reorganisation of states was always on the minds of leaders. The first sign of this were seen in 1920-21, when Congress leaders asked state units to reorganise on linguistic lines.Thus, we saw the formation of the Bombay, Marathwada and Vidarbha Congress units. The basic principle of having states formed on linguistic lines was to make governance easier, facilitate better information gathering and also better communication. It was a universal assumption that people think best in their mother tongue.

Before independence, there were meetings and discussions in the constituent assembly when leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted the formation of states on linguistic lines to be deferred. It was around the time of independence that they felt that linguistic passions would grow and eventually become a threat to national unity. They believed unity was far more important.The leaders, especially Nehru, believed in the power of Indian plurality, which was assimilative and inclusive. He believed that it would lead to the betterment of culture and enhance the way of life, like in England.