Smaller states demand: Stakeholders warn of 'aggressive movement'

If the central government does not take a decision very soon on creation of smaller states as demanded by people from different parts of the country, an "aggressive" movement will be launched, stakeholders warned on Tuesday.

"If the central government does not take steps within a very short time on creation of smaller states, all groups demanding such states will sit together and launch an aggressive movement," Pramod Boro, president of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), said at a seminar here on "Perspectives and realisation on the issues of smaller states" organised by the National Federation for New States (NFNS).

"The NDA government at the Centre has completed one year. We had expected that the groups demanding smaller states would be taken into confidence but no such step was taken," Boro said.

He said that apart from launching campaigns like Swachh Bharat, the government should also address social issues facing the people.

"We have appealed to the Narendra Modi government to take a policy decision on creation of smaller states," the ABSU president said.

Boro said the signing of the Naga peace accord between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland was a good sign.

"If Modi himself played a role in the Naga peace accord, why not take up the issues of smaller states?"

Clarifying that by "aggressive" movement, he did not mean an armed movement, Boro said: "These people are not secessionists. We do not support armed struggles."

According to Rajya Sabha member from Assam Biswajit Daimary, creation of new states will not harm India.

"In fact, it will help the government's various policies reach people at the grassroots level," he said.

"I don't think that the government has any principle on creating new states. Because of this our problems have not been solved till now and our demands are not being heard."

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Meghalaya MP and former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, while expressing his support for creation of smaller states, said the federal structure of India has to undergo a change.

"We are worried about the parliamentary system itself. Today is the 16th day of the monsoon session and parliament has not worked," he said.

"Democracy means sharing of power. Concentration of power leads to dictatorship."

Justifying the demand for smaller states, Sangma gave the example of N.D. Tiwari, who, despite having been chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for as many as four times, could not visit all district headquarters of the state.

"Uttar Pradesh is such a huge state that it is virtually ungovernable," he said.

M. Kodandaram, a political scientist from Osmania University, expounded on the demand and reason that led to the creation of the state of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.

"You should understand that creation of new states will not lead to disintegration of the country. Language cannot be the sole criterion for the creation of a new state," he said.

According to Kodandaram, powerful sections derive benefits in larger states.

"Richer sections of society take control of the political system," he said.

Apart from ABSU, Tuesday's seminar was attended by representatives of Kuki State Demand Committee, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State, People's Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement, and Vidarbha Connect.

Participants of the seminar will stage a rally at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday in support of their demands.