Rahul Gandhi and his ‘India is Union of States’ Tirade
- In Politics
- 11:48 AM, Mar 06, 2023
- Nidhi Bahuguna
Rahul Gandhi has been repeating ‘India is a union of states’, mis-reading the opening line of Article 1, from the constitution. Recently, Rahul Gandhi repeated the same in Cambridge, likening Bharat to European Union and stating that the union of states of India is based on negotiation. It is often said that the most dangerous lie is that which is tinged with a little hue of truth. Here Rahul Gandhi has taken a line from the constitution, the historical fact of a negotiating team made to negotiate terms with the princely states, to suggest that India is not a nation but a mere union of states existing on a bed of Negotiations. Nothing can be farther from truth, untouched by even a tinge of lie.
Here an attempt will be made, in the simplest terms, to understand the context of ‘India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states’ of article 1 of the constitution ,and the interpretation of S Ambedkar on this line.
First, one has to understand the political structure existing pre-Independence -There was a British India and more than 500 princely states. British India had 13 provinces ruled directly by Britain and the princely states were under Paramountcy of the Britain. The concept of Paramountcy was defined in 1926, wherein Defence, External affairs and communications were under Britain, and various treaties and Sanads were signed between various princely states with Britain.
In 1935, India act was passed to govern India. Section 311 of India act, defines India “–“India” means British India together with all territories of any Indian Ruler under the suzerainty of His Majesty, all territories under suzerainty of such an Indian Ruler, The Tribal areas…”. Thus it is clear the Idea of An Indian Entity always existed. This also puts to rest the fake narrative of India not existing except as a collection of kingdoms.
India act 1935 also proposed a federation of states. This Federation never got created. It is in this context that B.R Ambedkar stated that India will be a union of states and he stated that he has “wilfully” not mentioned ‘Federation’ but ‘union’ of states . The structure was fashioned along the line of North American Union, which was what Canada was known at that time. Ambedkar further explained that the structure of Administration was ‘federal structure’ but India was not a Federation of states. Thus, Union of states was the way of Integration of the Nation.
Now we come to events of 25 July 1947 and the India Independence Act, which came into existence on 18 July 1947, created Dominions of India and Pakistan. British suzerainty over princely states would end on 15 August1947, and the princely states could join any of the two Dominions. The India Independence act conferred great powers to Governor General Mountbatten, giving him power to give assent to any law.
On 25 July 1947, Mountbatten addressed the Chamber of princes and told them dominion status for any princely state was out of question. He told them they had to join any of the two dominions based on Geographical contiguity. This is when ‘negotiations’ mentioned by Rahul Gandhi comes into picture. After lapse of Paramountcy on 15 August, 1947, the princely states would technically be free, but practically they would not be. Mountbatten advised them to sign the instrument of accession and accede on three issues – Defence, External affairs and Communication with either Dominion. The other issues could be negotiated later.
Two points need to be understood – the suzerainty was to pass to the constituent assembly post 15 August 1947. The constituent assembly had already been formed on 9 December 1946 comprising some representatives of Princely states. Negotiating committees had already been formed for smooth merger of princely states.
Some narratives claim India never existed as it was a Dominion. The Dominion status came into existence only from 18 July 1947 to end on 15 August 1947, a transition from British governance to Independent India .
The integration of Princely states began Pre-Independence. The states were free to form their constitutions which would be attached to the constitution. The states gave the right to the constituent assembly and a state list was formed. The Negotiations were for integration of princely states with Bharat.
The Constitution was accepted on 26 November 1949 by all the ruler. Having a single constitution was a step towards Integration. Negotiations resulted in a single constitution. Once constitution was accepted, the rulers signed proclamations giving up their Ruler rights and became Rajya pramukhs. The Armies of the princely states were integrated as regiments into the Indian Army. Reorganisation of the states in 1956 was another step towards Integration.
This is a very basic explanation for the context of union of states, and negotiations, which are being used to spread misinformation to target the very existence of India as a Nation and give Life to secessionist forces within India. Bharat existed as a nation and will continue to exist as one.
Image source: Zee News
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