question_answer

Some Nepalese citizens were discussing the proposals on the adoption of federalism in their new constitution. This is what some of them said:

Khag Raj: I don't like federalism. It would lead to reservation of seats for different caste groups as in India.

Sarita: Ours in not a very big country. We don't need federalis.

BabuLal: I am hopeful that the Terai areas will get more autonomy if they get their own state government.

Ram Ganesh: I like federalism because it will mean that powers that were earlier enjoyed by the king will now be exercised by our elected representatives.

If you were participating in this conversation what would be your response to each of these? Which of these reflect a wrong understanding of what federalism is? What makes India a federal country?

[NCERT]

Answer:

Being the participants of conversation between the Nepalese citizens we would responding a manner like:

- Response to Khag Raj's statement: In federalism reservation signifies upliftment of the weaker section. Federalism provides safeguard to promote the interests of weaker cast us and tribes.

Thus the statement of Khag Raj is misleading and misunderstood.

- At the same time Sarita's statement, is also a confusing and illogical because the concept of federalism has nothing to do with the big or small country. But, it is required in a country having ethnic diversity, and linguistic states. For example, even a small country like Belgium has adopted federal government.

Babulal's statement is based on his own assumption for the autonomy of Terai areas. Again this statement is also not up to the federal features. For example in India we have state government at state level but they do not enjoy autonomy because of the Unitary bias nature of Indian federalism.

- Among all Ram Ganesh's statement: Reflects a wrong understanding of what federalism is. Because federalism stands for the division of powers at two or more than two levels but not the power exercised by elected representatives.

- India's diversity in languages, religion, cultures along with linguistic states has made it a federal country.