Sambhav-2025

Approach Begin with a brief introduction explaining Article 3 and its relevance to the Indian Constitution. In the body, analyze how Article 3 poses challenges to federalism, supported by relevant provisions, examples, and arguments. Conclude suitably.

Introduction

Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to reorganize states by forming, altering, or merging their boundaries. While aimed at fostering unity and administrative efficiency, its operation has raised concerns about its impact on federalism, given the Constitution’s strong unitary tilt.

Body

• Unitary Tilt of Article 3:
  • Parliament holds unilateral authority to alter state boundaries, highlighting the dominance of the Union over states.
  • The state legislature’s role is consultative, not binding, diminishing their autonomy.
  • For example, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014 to create Telangana despite opposition from the Andhra Pradesh legislature.
• Challenge to Federalism:
  • Undermines the co-equal status of states in a federal setup, as reorganization decisions are not subject to state consent.
  • Disrupts the principle of territorial integrity, as seen in the creation of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand in 2000.
  • Encourages demands for statehood and autonomy based on ethnic, linguistic, or regional identities, posing administrative challenges.
  • Creates friction between the Union and states, weakening cooperative federalism.
• Examples of Conflicts:
  
  • The Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, led to disputes between Punjab and Haryana over Chandigarh.
  • The bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into Union Territories in 2019 was criticized for bypassing the state’s legislature, highlighting central overreach.
• Balancing Federalism with Unity:
  
  • Article 3 ensures national unity by allowing flexibility to address regional aspirations.
  • However, overuse risks alienating states and undermining their confidence in the Union’s impartiality.

Conclusion

While Article 3 is crucial for maintaining national integration and accommodating regional demands, its unitary bias challenges federal principles. A balanced approach, emphasizing greater consultation with states, is essential to uphold the spirit of cooperative federalism.