India- A Federal Union of States

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IN THE LAST 70 YEARS SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, India has transitioned into a multi-party democracy with a greatly polarised polity. It is time to take a closer look at how successful India has been in working its unique model of a Federal Union of States. Born amid the Partition, the emphasis in the Constitution on a strong Centre was understandable. But, that is no longer enough. Some fault lines are now evident. Nonseparation of religion from politics, irritants in Centre-state relations, the institution of state Governor, division of legislative powers between the Union and the states, the official language dilemma, and the rising tide of sub-nationalism are clamouring for attention. India has single citizenship, but increasing state domiciliary restrictions are legalizing discrimination and undermining fundamental rights, more particularly, equality of opportunity in public employment.