The demands for separate states on linguistic claims were accepted for the following reasons : (i) It was hoped that if the demand for separate states on linguistic basis are accepted then the threat of division and separatism would be reduced. (ii) Accommodation of regional demands and the formation of linguistic states were also seen as more democratic. Its effects were : (i) It has changed the nature of democratic politics and leadership in some basic ways. The path to politics and power was now open to people other than the small English speaking elite. (ii) It gave uniform basis to the drawing of state boundaries. (iii) It has infact strengthened national unity contrary to the belief that it would lead to disintegration of the country. (iv) The linguistic states underlined the acceptance of the principle of diversity. Democracy was now associated with plurality of ideas and ways of life. Much of the politics in the later period had taken place within this framework. |