"Article 2 of Indian Constitution: Admission of New States to the Union Explained"

Article 2 of the Constitution of India is the second article of the Indian Constitution. It deals with the admission of new states into the Union of India. This article plays a crucial role in shaping the political and territorial landscape of India. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of Article 2 in detail.

What is Article 2 of the Indian Constitution? Article 2 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Parliament of India to admit new states into the Union of India. The article lays down the conditions and procedure for the admission of new states.

Important Features of Article 2

1. Power to admit new states: The most important feature of Article 2 is that it grants the Parliament of India the power to admit new states to the Union of India.

2. Procedure for admission: The article also lays down the procedure for the admission of new states, which includes a resolution passed by the Parliament with a two-thirds majority.

3. Territorial extent: Article 2 clarifies that any new state admitted to the Union of India shall be deemed to be a part of the territory of India.

4. Alteration of state boundaries: The article also empowers the Parliament to alter the boundaries of any state or union territory.

Examples of Admission of New States:

Since the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, several new states have been admitted to the Union of India under the provisions of Article 2. Some of the notable examples include:

1. Andhra Pradesh: In 1953, Andhra Pradesh was the first state to be carved out of a larger state, Madras.

2. Gujarat and Maharashtra: In 1960, the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra were created by dividing the bilingual state of Bombay.

3. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh: In 2000, the states of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were created by the bifurcation of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, respectively.

Instances of Usage

1. Formation of Telangana: In 2014, the Parliament of India passed a resolution to admit Telangana as the 29th state of the Union of India. This was done by bifurcating the state of Andhra Pradesh.

2. Formation of Uttarakhand and Jharkhand: In 2000, the Parliament of India passed a resolution to create the states of Uttarakhand and Jharkhand by bifurcating the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.

3. Merger of Sikkim: In 1975, the Parliament of India passed a resolution to merge the former Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim with the Union of India, making it the 22nd state of the Union.

Parliamentary Debate:

As Article 2 of the Indian Constitution pertains to the admission of new states to the Union of India, the first parliamentary debate on the provision took place in 1950, shortly after the adoption of the Constitution.

During the debate, members of Parliament discussed the criteria and conditions that should govern the admission of new states to the Union. Some argued that new states should be created only on the basis of linguistic and cultural considerations, while others emphasized the need to take into account economic and geographical factors as well.

Another issue that was raised during the debate was the role of the princely states in the process of state formation. At the time, India was still home to a large number of princely states that enjoyed a degree of autonomy under British colonial rule. Some members of Parliament argued that the princely states should be given the option to join the Union voluntarily, while others advocated for their integration into the new republic by force if necessary.

Ultimately, the debate led to the adoption of the States Reorganization Act of 1956, which reorganized the existing states and union territories of India along linguistic lines. The Act also provided for the admission of new states to the Union, subject to the approval of the President of India and the Parliament.

Since then, there have been several parliamentary debates on Article 2, particularly in relation to the creation of new states such as Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh. However, the first debate remains significant for setting the stage for the process of state formation and providing an early glimpse into the challenges and complexities of Indian federalism.

Additional information

Another important aspect of Article 2 is that it does not specify any criteria or conditions for the admission of new states. This means that the Parliament of India has the discretion to admit new states based on its own judgement and the prevailing political and social circumstances.

It is also worth mentioning that the admission of new states to the Union of India has been a contentious issue at times. Some political parties and social groups have opposed the creation of new states on the grounds that it may lead to the fragmentation of the country or the marginalization of certain communities. However, others argue that the creation of new states can help address regional imbalances and promote the interests of marginalized groups.

Overall, Article 2 is an important provision that has facilitated the admission of new states to the Union of India and helped shape India's political and territorial landscape over the years.

Conclusion:

Article 2 of the Indian Constitution is a crucial provision that has played a significant role in shaping the political and territorial landscape of India. Its provisions for the admission of new states and alteration of state boundaries have been used to create new states and redefine the boundaries of existing ones.

With the power to admit new states vested in the Parliament of India, the article ensures that any such changes are made in a democratic and transparent manner, taking into account the interests of all concerned parties.