Bombay Reorganisation Act

Bombay Reorganisation Act
Short title	Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960
Legislature	Parliament of India
Long title	An Act to provide for the reorganisation of the State of Bombay.
Enacted by	Parliament of India
Date assented	25 April 1960
Date commenced	1 May 1960
Status	In force

Bombay Reorganisation Act. The Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 was a pivotal piece of legislation passed by the Parliament of India that dissolved the bilingual Bombay State and created two new linguistic states: Maharashtra and Gujarat. Enacted on 25 April 1960 and coming into force on 1 May 1960, the act was the culmination of a prolonged and often violent political movement demanding states based on linguistic lines. It also designated the city of Bombay as a Union territory before its eventual incorporation into Maharashtra, fundamentally reshaping the political geography of western India.

Background and historical context

The demand for linguistic states in India gained momentum after independence, notably with the formation of Andhra State in 1953 following the death of Potti Sriramulu. The vast Bombay State, created in 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act, merged the Marathi-speaking regions with Gujarati-speaking areas and the city of Bombay. This arrangement was immediately contentious. The Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti and Mahagujarat Movement, led by figures like S. M. Joshi and Indulal Yagnik, spearheaded agitations for separate states. Protests, including major demonstrations in Bombay and Ahmedabad, often turned violent, with police firing on crowds at Flora Fountain in 1955. The Indian National Congress, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, initially resisted bifurcation but eventually conceded due to sustained political pressure.

Provisions of the Act

The Act contained detailed provisions for the territorial and administrative division. It specified that the new state of Maharashtra would comprise the Marathi-speaking districts, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the Konkan region. The state of Gujarat was formed from the Gujarati-speaking districts such as Saurashtra and Kutch. A critical provision dealt with the status of Bombay city, initially making it a separate Union territory for a period of five years. The Act also outlined the apportionment of assets and liabilities, the division of the Bombay High Court, and the allocation of civil servants between the two new states. It established a common governor for both states temporarily and detailed the reorganization of legislative constituencies.

Formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat

On 1 May 1960, the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were formally inaugurated. Yashwantrao Chavan became the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra, while Jivraj Mehta assumed the role of the first Chief Minister of Gujarat. The city of Bombay was designated the capital of Maharashtra, and Ahmedabad became the capital of Gujarat. The Bombay High Court continued to serve both states with principal and permanent benches in Bombay and Ahmedabad, respectively. The Union territory status for Bombay was short-lived, as it was fully integrated into Maharashtra following the Maharashtra and Gujarat (Transfer of Territories) Order, 1960.

Impact and consequences

The Act had immediate and profound impacts. It satisfied the core demand for linguistic states, quelling a major source of political unrest in western India. Administratively, it led to the creation of two distinct bureaucratic and political systems. Economically, Maharashtra, with its capital in Bombay (later Mumbai), emerged as a financial powerhouse, while Gujarat developed into a major industrial and manufacturing hub. The division also influenced the politics of both states, shaping the rise of regional parties like the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and impacting the dominance of the Indian National Congress. It set a precedent for future state reorganizations, including the creation of Haryana and Punjab in 1966.

Political and social reactions

Reactions to the Act were mixed but largely celebratory in the newly formed states. In Maharashtra, leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti hailed it as a victory, though some were dissatisfied that Bombay was not immediately part of the state. In Gujarat, the Mahagujarat Movement activists celebrated achieving their goal. However, within Bombay city, there was significant opposition from business communities and some Gujarati-speaking residents who feared Marathi domination. Nationally, the Act was seen as a necessary political compromise by the Jawaharlal Nehru government. The decision ultimately strengthened the principle of linguistic states within the Indian Union, despite initial reservations from central leadership.

Legacy and significance

The Bombay Reorganisation Act is a landmark in India's federal history. It conclusively established linguistic reorganization as a fundamental principle of Indian statecraft, influencing subsequent movements in Punjab, Assam, and elsewhere. The act solidified the distinct political identities of Maharashtra and Gujarat, both of which have played crucial roles in India's economic and political landscape. The integration of Bombay into Maharashtra fueled the city's growth into the megacity of Mumbai, India's commercial capital. The act is studied as a critical case of successful political mobilization and constitutional resolution of regional demands within the framework of the Constitution of India.

Category:1960 in Indian law Category:History of Maharashtra Category:History of Gujarat Category:States and union territories of India