Question

Analyse the ideas put forward by Bal Krishan Sharma on federalism in the Constituent Assembly.

Hint:

Balancing central authority with regional autonomy was a key issue in the framing of India's federal system.

Answer 1

Bal Krishan Sharma was a significant figure in the discussions on federalism during the framing of the Indian Constitution. His ideas focused on:
1. Strong Central Government: Sharma argued that India needed a strong central government to maintain unity and integrity, given the diverse nature of its population and regions.
2. Autonomy for States: While supporting a strong central government, Sharma also acknowledged the need for autonomy for states to manage their local affairs, especially in terms of language, culture, and regional issues.
3. Balance Between Central and State Power: He advocated for a federal system that struck a balance between central authority and state autonomy, ensuring that the Union could maintain control over national interests while allowing states to manage local governance.
Thus, Sharma's ideas on federalism contributed to shaping India's federal structure as seen in the Constitution.