Statehood Day for Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya

• 24 Jan 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?  

The Prime Minister of India greeted Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya on their Statehood Day (21^st January). 

What is the Historical Context Behind the Statehood Day? 

• Merger of Manipur: Before 1947, Manipur was an independent princely state. The Maharaja, Bodhachandra Singh, signed the 'Instrument of Accession' with the Indian government, agreeing to merge with India while ensuring internal autonomy. 
  • Manipur held its first election based on universal adult franchise in 1948, becoming a constitutional monarchy.  
  • In 1949, under pressure from the Indian government, the Maharaja signed the Merger Agreement without consulting Manipur's elected assembly. 
    • Following the merger, Manipur's State Assembly was dissolved, and it became a Part C State, administered by the President of India through a Chief Commissioner or Lieutenant Governor. 
  • On 1st  November 1, 1956, Manipur became a Union Territory under the Union Territorial Council Act, 1956. Later on 21st January 1972, Manipur was granted full statehood through the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organization) Act, 1971 (NEA-(R) Act). 
• Merger of Tripura: Tripura, a princely state, merged with India in 1949, facilitated by Queen Kanchan Prabha Devi, who assumed regency after King Bir Bikram's death.  
  • After merging with India, Tripura became a Part ‘C’ State. In 1956, it became a Union Territory, and later on 21st January 1972, Tripura became a full-fledged State under the NEA-(R) Act, 1971. 
• Meghalaya: Meghalaya's statehood journey began with demands for greater autonomy from Assam, particularly from the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills, who sought a separate state to preserve indigenous cultures, especially after Assam's attempt to impose Assamese as the medium of instruction.  
  • In 1969, the Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act established Meghalaya an autonomous state within Assam. 
  • Following this, the NEA (R) Act, 1971 granted full statehood to Meghalaya, making it the 21st state of India, with Shillong as its capital. 

North-Eastern Areas (Re-organization) Act, 1971 

• Manipur and Tripura: Upgraded from Union Territories to full-fledged states. 
• Meghalaya: Formed as a state from autonomous regions of Assam. 
• Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh: Established as Union Territories. 
• Representation in the Legislature: Allocated seats for the new North-Eastern states in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). 
  • Ensured proper representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the legislative assemblies. 
• Judicial Reorganization: Established the Gauhati High Court as the common High Court for the States of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura.