Notes-Class 8-History-Chapter-14-Formation of State of Maharashtra-Maharashtra Board

Introduction :

• There was a significant demand for the reconstruction of states based on linguistics after India attained freedom.
• The "Samyukta Maharashtra Movement" began in Maharashtra in 1946 as a result of the demand for a state with a majority Marathi-speaking population.
• Finally, the state of Maharashtra was created on May 1, 1960.

Background

• Many scholars began to express their views on the unity of Marathi-speaking people at the beginning of the twentieth century.
• N. C. Kelkar proposed that "the entire Marathi spoken population" be placed under one jurisdiction.
• Lokmanya Tilak demanded the reconstruction of a language-based state in 1915.
• On May 12, 1946, the Sahitya Sammelan in Belgaon passed a resolution about Samyukta Maharashtra.

Samyukta Maharashtra Parishad :

• Under the leadership of Shankarrao Dev, Maharashtra Ekikaran Parishad was convened at Mumbai on 28^th July 1946.
• A resolution to unite Marathi speaking regions of Mumbai and Central Provinces as well as Marathwada and Gomantak was passed.

Dar Commission :

• On June 17, 1947, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, constituted the Dar Commission.
• Under the supervision of Justice S. K. Dar, the panel began work to construct states based on linguistic criteria.
• The Dar Commission's report was issued on December 10, 1948, but the issue remained unresolved.

JVP Committee (Three Ministers Committee) :

• On December 29, 1948, the Congress created a three-minister committee to explore the conditions for establishing linguistic provinces.
• The committee, also known as the JVP committee, featured Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
• According to the study, Congress recognised the notion of linguistic state, but the timing was not right for it.
• The public reaction was harsh. Senapati Bapat organised rallies to raise public awareness.

Proposal in Mumbai Municipal Corporation :

• Acharya Atre got passed the proposal of Samyukta Maharashtra with Mumbai in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
• These proposal was passed by 50 against 35 votes.
• Due to this, the desire that Mumbai should remain in Maharashtra was proved.

Commission for Reconstruction of States

• The Government of India appointed a 'Commission for Reconstruction of States’ on 29 December, 1953 under Justice Fazal Ali.
• In the proposal presented on 10 October, 1955, a creation of bilingual Mumbai State was advocated.

Nagpur Pact

• The leaders from all parts of Maharashtra came together in Nagpur in 1953.
• They signed the pact to form a state of Marathi speaking people.
• According to this pact, Samyukta Maharashtra was formed including western Maharashtra and Vidarbha along with Marathwada.

According to the Nagpur Pact, the assurance was given that,

• Finance will be provided for developmental work.
• Finance will be provided for technical and vocational education.
• Government services will be provided in accordance with the population of the particular region.
• Once in a year an Assembly Session will be held in Nagpur.

Beginning of actual conflict

• The discontent among the Marathi speaking people was growing.
• Senapati Bapat led a grand march to Vidhan Sabha.
• Morarji Desai was the Chief Minister.
• The government declared a ban.
• The police lathi charged and used tear gas on the protestors who broke the ban.
• Comrade Shripad Dange guided a mob of 50 thousand people at Kamgar Maidan.
• To accelerate the movement, it was decided to hold one day token strike on 21 November, 1955.

Establishment of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti

• As discontent grew, the issue of Marathi speaking people became complicated.
• On 6 February, 1956 an all parties meeting was held under the chairmanship of Keshavrao Jedhe at Tilak Smarak Mandir in Pune.
• The Samiti declared its Executive Council.

Member of Executive Council of Samiti  :

• Comrade Shripad Ammt Dange became President.
• Dr. T. R. Naravane was Vice-President
• S. M. Joshi was General Secretary.

Contribution of other leaders :

• G. T. Madkholkar, Acharya P K. Atre, Madhu Dandavate, Prabodhankar Keshav Thackeray, Y. K. Souni played important role in the formation of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti.
• Senapati Bapat, Krantishinh Nana Patil, Lalji Pendse, Ahilyabai Rangnekar made notable contribution to the movement.

Work of Samiti :

• Samyukta Maharashtra movement spread throughout the state and reached villages.
• Common people joined the movement spontaneously.
• On 1 November 1956, Bilingual Mumbai State came into existence.
• Later in 1957, Loksabha, Vidhan Sabha and Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections were held. Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti got grand success.
• It made clear that the voters were against bilingual state and in favour of Samyukta Maharashtra.

Formation of Maharashtra State :

• On 1 May, 1960, Pandit Nehru officially made announcement of formation of
• Maharashtra State at a special ceremony at Raj Bhavan.
• Yashwantrao Chavan accepted the responsibility as first Chief Minister of Maharashtra.