India’s unity is no longer fragile, and the idea of India now rests on firm and enduring foundations. Federalism, the Court held, is a principle rooted in India’s history and diversity; not a matter of administrative convenience. The Committee’s 1971 Report became a landmark in India’s federal debate. Later national commissions — the Sarkaria (1983-88) and Punchhi (2007-10) — acknowledged the need for rebalancing, though they stopped short of recommending fundamental structural reform. Such recalibration would not diminish national unity; it would deepen it by aligning authority with responsibility.

Source: The Hindu February 17, 2026 01:41 UTC