Day 1 – Q 2.“We are unanimously of the view that it would be injurious to the interest of the country to provide for a weak central authority which would be incapable of ensuring peace, of coordinating vital matters of common concern and of speaking effectively for the whole country in the international space”. How far do you concur with this view, in the wake of more than 70 years of India’s independence?
2. “We are unanimously of the view that it would be injurious to the interest of the country to provide for a weak central authority which would be incapable of ensuring peace, of coordinating vital matters of common concern and of speaking effectively for the whole country in the international space”. How far do you concur with this view, in the wake of more than 70 years of India’s independence?
“हम सर्वसम्मति से इस बात से सहमत हैं कि देश के हित में एक कमजोर केंद्र हानिकारक होगा जो शांति सुनिश्चित करने, सामान्य चिंता के महत्वपूर्ण मामलों को समन्वयित करने और अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर पूरे देश के लिए प्रभावी ढंग से बोलने में असमर्थ होगा”। भारत की आजादी के 70 से अधिक वर्षों के मद्देनजर आप इस दृष्टिकोण से कितना सहमत हैं?
Approach
In introduction, what type of centre we have in Indian polity, and some reasons for why we have adopted strong centre. In main part of the answer, focus on three points mentioned in the question, viz. Peace, common concerns and international space. Write in 2 or 3 lines about some of the failures of strong centre. In conclusion give your stand on whether India should or should not continue with the same pattern of government.
Background
While discussing the federal structure of Independent India, there were debates on whether there should be federalism with weak centre like U.S. or federation with strong centre like Canada. There were many socio-cultural and geopolitical reasons because of which constitution makers preferred the Canadian model of federation in India.
Body
Ensuring peace, coordination on common concerns and international talks were some of the aspects mentioned by constitution makers for not opting federation with a weak centre. After 70 years, we find the rationale of fathers of the constitution valid to utmost extent.
- Ensuring Peace
Since independence India faced many challenges on security front ranging from integration of princely states, formation of linguistic states to insurgency and continued secessionist tendencies. A weak centre would not have handled the situation as successfully as the present strong centre did.
On the other hand, Emergency provisions given under Article 356, Article 365, etc. were frequently misused in the name of peace and security.
- Coordination on common concerns:
Seventh schedule in the constitution of India contains the subjects of functions divided into three lists viz. Centre, State and concurrent. Subjects of common concerns such as Armed forces, Intelligence, foreign affairs etc are enumerated in Centre’s list. These divisions of functions are the main reason behind successful defence of India on borders with hostile countries and against terrorism. Similarly, subjects like Economic and social planning, forests etc are kept in concurrent list. Success of this list is visible from an example of respective finance commission of the centre and the state and their mutual coordination.
On the other hand, if we observed all three lists, there have been consistent decline in number of subjects in state list and subsequent increase in concurrent and central list. This indicates increasing consolidation of powers in centre’s hands. It is a cause of concern.
- International space
Strong centre proved a successful representation and arguments in the international space. Be it the war of 1971, or talks related to Indus water, or Tamil issues. It was the centre which successfully gave rights to bordering states.
On the other hand we have some negative examples also, such as Kerala flood relief aid coming from UAE and other Middle Eastern states were denied by powerful centre.
Conclusion
Thus, an overview of last 70 years of independence, it is obvious that a strong centre successfully maintained the security and integrity of India. But there is need to establish accountability mechanism, so that strong centre will not use its power to coerce the federal units i.e. states.
Best answer: Sumit
