A Thematic Analysis of B. R. Ambedkar Views on the Concept of One State, One Language with Respect to Culturally Diversified India

Abstract: Unity in diversity, India is a nation that is famous in the world for its diverse cultural trends. But this diversity has led to many conflicts in India. Mainly due to linguistic and ethnic diversity in the country, regional conflicts have become the reason for an imbalance in national security and unity in recent times. The issue of nation-building in the post-independence days posed several challenges to the then Indian government. Among them, the most complicated issue was to divide the hereditary territories on a linguistic basis to make a fully structured and functioning democratic nation through democratic governance. During this time, the demand for separate state based on linguistic identity emerged across India. Ambedkar elaborated his thoughts on the subject in his writings, "Thoughts on Linguistic States." Ambedkar's main argument was that states should be divided mainly on the basis of one state, one language, and this would treat the people of the country culturally, socially, politically, and economically as equals and control the cultural, social, and political oppression of multilinguals. Based on Ambedkar's formula of division of states based on language, a committee headed by Fazal Ali in 1955 was influential in giving a report on division of states based on languages. The present research paper aims to analyse the formation of linguistic states and the recommendations of the committees during the post-independence period, the role, and relevance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's ideas in the creation of linguistic states and the ideologies for redistribution of states and balanced development of the country. Along with the significance of small states in India and linguistic and cultural factors influencing development.