How Ambedkar talked about dividing UP and MP into smaller states even in 50s

Advocated division of Bihar, MP

In his 1955 book Thoughts on Linguistic States, he strongly advocated the division of big provinces like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, saying that "the present provinces are too large and not administrable".

Ambedkar supported the creation of states on linguistic lines but was deeply concerned about the formation of excessively large units.

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“The idea of having bigger linguistic states is not a democratic idea at all. It is a clear departure from the fundamentals of democracy. It is an idea wholly incompatible with the idea of democracy,” he wrote.

‘No region or group should feel marginalised’

He suggested that states should be divided not only for administrative efficiency but also to ensure that no region or group felt marginalised. "Bihar should be divided into two states. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh should be divided into northern and southern Madhya Pradesh," Ambedkar recommended.

While these proposals were not immediately acted upon, they gained relevance decades later. In 2000, Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar and Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh.

Ambedkar also proposed the division of Uttar Pradesh into three states in the book.

He said that each of these three states should have a population of around two crore, which he considered the standard size for effective administration. Ambedkar also suggested that the capitals for these proposed states could be Meerut, Cawnpore (now Kanpur) and Allahabad (now Prayagraj), respectively.

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Why are smaller states better?

In 2011, the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati moved a proposal to split the state into four parts – Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh), Paschim Pradesh (Western Uttar Pradesh), Bundelkhand and Awadh (Central Uttar Pradesh) – for better administration. However, the UPA government at the Centre did not back the proposal. Ambedkar argued that smaller states would allow citizens to have more control over public spending and governance.

"The bigger the state, the greater the demands for expenditure and the lesser the control over it by the people. In a small state there is the advantage of responsibility and accountability," he said.

On language

He cautioned against emotional arguments driving the reorganisation of states, noting that "the love of the language is becoming a positive disintegrating force".

According to him, state boundaries should be drawn keeping national unity and administrative practicality in mind.

Political scientists say Ambedkar's views continue to resonate in contemporary debates over federalism and decentralisation.

President, PM, Opposition pay tribute

Meanwhile, tributes poured in for the social reformer on his 135th birth anniversary.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is due to Ambedkar’s inspiration that the country is today dedicated to realising the dream of social justice.

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“On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realising the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of a self-reliant and developed India,” Modi said on X.

Later, Modi joined a number of other dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and leaders of opposition in both Houses Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, among others, in Parliament to pay homage to Ambedkar.

Inspiration for future generations

On the eve of Ambedkar Jayanti, President Murmu greeted people and said Ambedkar's contributions across various fields would continue to inspire future generations to work with dedication towards nation-building. In her message, she said Ambedkar created a distinct identity despite facing extreme hardships and earned global respect through his exceptional achievements. He considered education an important tool for social change and empowerment of the downtrodden, Murmu said.

Congress takes oath

Chief ministers and governors of several states and top leaders of political parties also paid homage to Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.

The Congress on Monday reiterated its commitment to his idea of social justice and said that it takes an "oath" to always remain committed to the protection of constitutional values and democracy.

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In a post in Hindi on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar gave the people of the country the Constitution of India based on the democratic values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, which is the most powerful tool for social justice and inclusive development." Ambedkar described inclusiveness as his ultimate duty for the progress and unity of the country and strongly emphasised protecting the rights of all, Kharge said.

"On his 135th birth anniversary, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to his ideas of social change and social justice. The Congress party takes an oath that we will always remain committed to the protection of constitutional values and the protection of democracy," he said.

Paying tributes to Ambedkar, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul said his struggle and contribution to strengthening the country's democracy and ensuring equal rights for every Indian "will always guide us in the fight to protect the Constitution".

"Tributes to Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, on his birth anniversary," Rahul said on X.

Homage at last resting place in Mumbai

Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid floral tributes to Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai.

Deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, legislative council chairperson Ram Shinde, state cabinet ministers Ashish Shelar and Sanjay Shirsat also paid homage to Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi, the final resting place of the Constitution's chief architect, located at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.

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The dignitaries also visited an exhibition of rare pictures of Ambedkar's life and times organised there by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Earlier, Fadnavis, in a post on X, said, "Salutations to an eminent economist, global icon of social justice and father of the Indian Constitution, Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar on his birth anniversary." NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule, who paid tributes at Chaityabhoomi earlier in the day, told reporters that Ambedkar laid the foundation stone of how a country's administration should be run. "His vision for social justice, power projects, education continues to guide the country," she said.

CMs, governors remember Constitution’s architect

Chief ministers and governors of states, including Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, also paid floral tributes to Ambedkar and posted messages on their official handles.

"Solemnly remembering the Father of the Constitution of India, Dr B R Ambedkar, on his birth anniversary," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy offered floral tributes to Ambedkar at Tank Bund. Reddy, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and others, also garlanded the statue of the architect of the Indian Constitution.

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The chief minister praised the efforts made by Ambedkar for the welfare of the downtrodden and who worked tirelessly for the empowerment of the poor, weaker sections, and women, an official release said.

Reddy recalled that Ambedkar, who envisioned the future of the country with foresight and framed the Constitution with vision, remained an inspiration for future generations.

Ambedkar enriched spirit of one India: Yogi

While paying homage to Ambedkar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described him as a true "Bharat Ratna" and a "living school of democracy".

Ambedkar's struggle for an egalitarian society will inspire people for an eternity, Adityanath said in a post on X in Hindi.

"Tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution who was all-inclusive, benevolent to all, imbued with excellent democratic values and enriched the spirit of one India, great India, Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary! He was a Bharat Ratna in the true sense of the word and a living school of democracy. His struggle to establish an egalitarian and justice-loving society will continue to inspire all of us for eternity," the chief minister said.

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Ambedkar’s mantra for nation building

In a post on X, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, quoting Ambedkar's words, said: "Only when people are always alert, educated, and possess self-respect and self-confidence, will a nation truly prosper." He urged people to draw inspiration from Ambedkar’s ideals, and work together to uphold the self-respect and confidence of underprivileged communities across all sections of society.

The chief minister recalled Ambedkar’s legacy as Constitution's architect, first Law Minister of independent India, and a key freedom fighter who laid the foundation for modern democratic India.

"Let us all rededicate ourselves to the upliftment of Dalits and realization of the egalitarian society envisioned by Ambedkar," said Naidu.

Ambedkar is recognised for his lifelong struggle for the empowerment of Scheduled Castes and his key role in drafting the Constitution.

Born in a Dalit family in 1891, he was a brilliant student who went on to study in foreign countries. The discrimination he suffered in Indian society turned him into a committed social reformer.

He was India's first law minister. He died in 1956.

(With inputs from agencies)