The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The reorganization of states in India was a complex process involving the transition from the four-fold classification (Part A, B, C, D) of the original Constitution to states based on linguistic and administrative convenience. This evolution was guided by various commissions, including the Dhar Commission, the JVP Committee, and the Fazl Ali Commission.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The original Constitution of India (1950) did not contain any provision that explicitly prohibited the formation of states on a linguistic basis. While the initial administrative arrangement (Part A, B, C, and D states) was not based on language, and early commissions (like the Dhar Commission) advised against it in favor of administrative convenience, the Constitution itself under Article 3 gave Parliament the power to reorganize states without restricting the criteria for such reorganization.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Immediately after independence, the Central Government and national leaders (such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel) strongly resisted the idea of linguistic states. The JVP Committee (1948) formally rejected language as the basis for reorganization, fearing that it would encourage regionalism, threaten national unity, and lead to the disintegration of the country during a fragile period.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Contrary to initial fears, the reorganization of states on linguistic lines (primarily following the States Reorganisation Act, 1956) has strengthened national unity. By accommodating regional linguistic aspirations and cultural identities within the federal framework, the Indian state reduced the potential for secessionist movements and deepened democratic participation.
Key Takeaway
While the national leadership initially feared that linguistic states would lead to balkanization, the actual experience of state reorganization has proven to be a cementing force, accommodating diversity to preserve unity.