Revisiting 1956: B.R. Ambedkar and States Reorganization

Discussion based on a book by Dr. Sudha Pai
Co-author Dr. Avinash Kumar

 

Panelists:  Prof. Ghanshyam Shah; Prof. Sucheta Mahajan and Dr. Asha Sarangi

 

Chair:  Prof. S.K. Thorat

 

Revisiting 1956 resurrects the Ambedkar’s works from oblivion and presents relevant portions from them for the general, interested reader.  As new states are being formed, Ambedkar’s works find renewed relevance. When he called the merger of Telangana and Telugu-speaking areas of Madras Presidency as ‘artificial’, Ambedkar showed remarkable vision that administrators can learn from. In laying criteria for reorganisation of states - viability, size, economic feasibility, equality, federal balance, and the divisive issue of language - he has already addressed concerns that the contemporary common man now asks