Beyond Linguistic Boundaries: The Evolution of India's Federal Democracy from Ambedkar to Globalization
- NLR Journal
- Aug 11, 2025
- 1 min read
By Lakshmi Naina Reddy, Suhani S Kumar & Mrinalini Sahu, Law Students at
O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonepat.
Abstract
This research paper appraises India's linguistic federalism focusing on its constitutional origins and as an endeavor to balance cultural diversity with national unity. This paper traces the evolution of linguistic federalism through exploring the historical development. The progression goes beyond Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's original "one-state-one-language" principle. Research suggests that practical applications of state formations like Telangana and Jharkhand depict several limitations of linguistic federalism and the importance of superseding economic and political factors. The comparative analysis with Canada and Belgium provides alternative federal models and implications for India. Linguistic federalism’s major challenges include administrative inefficiencies, economic disparities and the dominance of the English language. The contention is that while linguistic federalism has attempted to preserve India's multilingual culture, the existence of several limitations and tensions surpass its aim. The paper concludes that India's future lies in adaptive federalism that goes beyond traditional linguistic boundaries.
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