MAINS QUESTIONS
Q1. In light of the recent creation of the union territories of Ladakh and J&K, discuss the assertion that “The creation of union territories is a manifestation of India’s geography.” (250 Words)
Paper & Topic: GS I – India after Independence
Introduction:
- In the Republic of India, a union territory is a specific type of administrative division. Union territories are largely federal areas that are directly under the administration of the central government of India, in contrast to Indian states, which have their own governments.
- On August 5, the Central government revoked some provisions of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and removed the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which would have divided the State into the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, was also introduced by the administration in the Rajya Sabha. The UT of Ladakh will not have a legislative branch, comparable to UTs like Chandigarh and Daman and Diu, while the UT of Jammu and Kashmir would, similar to those of Delhi and Puducherry.
Body:
The history of UTs:
- States were split into four divisions after gaining independence in 1947: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.
- After the States Reorganization Act was implemented in 1956, the bulk of the states mentioned in Parts C and D were either merged into the states listed in Parts A and B or were left as union territories.
- Thus, the six Indian union territories at the time—Andaman and Nicobar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, the Laccadive Minicoy, and Amindivi Island—later acquired the name Lakshadweep.
- Then, India took control of Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, and Daman and Diu. Tripura, Manipur, and Himachal Pradesh are examples of former Union territories that eventually became states.
- The only remaining union territories at this time are Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
UT was founded for the following reasons:
- Small population and land area: Compared to states, the union territories (with the exception of Delhi) have considerably smaller populations and land expanses, making it more expensive for the exchequer to administer their legislative assemblies and councils of ministers.
- Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are strategically located at the extreme western and eastern edges of our nation. Due to their separation from the mainland, they are simpler for the central government to control because India places a high value on them from a strategic perspective and is able to move quickly there in the event of an emergency.
- Native American culture preservation: Some union territories, such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu (Portuguese), Puducherry (French), and most recently Ladakh, have traditions that are different from those of the states that are in their immediate vicinity.
- As the administrative hubs for Punjab, Haryana, and India, Delhi and Chandigarh are two union territories that are significant. It is essential that the Indian government maintain control over these union territories as a result.
- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are on the borders of neighbouring Pakistan and China, which present security risks and are typically less developed. Despite possessing an abundance of natural resources, the state’s economy was having problems due to aggressiveness from both countries and repeated terrorist attacks.
Statutory status:
- India must be a “Union of States” as defined in Parts V (The Union) and VI (The States) of the Indian Constitution, as is stated in Article 1 (1).
- According to Article 1(3), the territory of India consists of all states, union territories, and places that are potentially annexable.
- The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act of 1956 added union territories, which were absent from the original wording of the constitution.
- The Union Territories (part VIII), the Judiciary, Citizenship (part II), Fundamental Rights (part III), Directive Principles of State Policy (part IV), Role of the Union Territories (part VIII), etc., are all applicable to the Union Territories because it specifically refers to the Territories of India.
- The President of India is the only executive authority over the Union (i.e., the union of states). According to Article 239, the president of India also serves as the union territories’ top administrator.
- All union territories, with the exception of Chandigarh, the NCT, and Puducherry, are administered by the President in accordance with Article 240 (2) of the Indian Constitution, which also grants him the authority to veto laws approved by Parliament.
- Union territories Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, and Delhi’s National Capital Territory all have separately elected legislatures and governments (proposed as of October 31, 2019).
Conclusion:
- The political environment can be changed by the Indian Parliament. The evolution of the UTs over time has taken into account both geographical and strategic factors. The sociopolitical and economic development of the UTs will benefit from the Union Government’s direct authority.
Q2. Bharatanatyam was revitalised and brought to the world’s attention by Rukmini Devi Arundale. Elaborate. (250 Words)
Paper & Topic: GS I – Indian Culture
Introduction:
- Bharatanatyam is recognised with changing from a sensual art form to one that is more spiritual and devotional in tone thanks to Rukmini Devi, the originator of Kalakshetra. She was able to establish herself in the realm of Indian culture because to her engaging personality and commitment to the advancement of Indian Classical music. Rukmini Devi was well-known for her work on behalf of animal rights and welfare.
Body:
- With her unrivalled dedication to the performing arts sector, which cannot be ignored, she dismantled barriers of caste and community. She founded the Kalakshetra Institute, a name that has come to represent everything “classical” in India and has attracted recognition on a global scale.
Rukmini Devi Arundale’s Contribution to the Renewal of Bharatanatyam:
- The reason Rukmini, who received the Padma Bhushan award in 1956, is so well-known is because of her innovative work in the areas of dance, culture, and education, which led to a revival of Indian classical dance styles.
- Rukmini Devi is frequently credited with saving the Bharatanatyam dance. According to some scholars, she reportedly stole the dance from the hereditary dancing society.
- She is credited with bringing back the Bharatnatyam dance form and, more importantly, with bringing the dance—previously primarily performed by Devdasis—into popular culture and establishing its social legitimacy.
- She and devadasi were the first female performers to deliver bharatanatyam on stage.
- She did, in fact, travel to the dance’s origins and diligently study the art form with gurus at a time when our society’s attitudes on temple dancers were undergoing significant changes.
- Bharatnatyam was known as Sadhir before the British Raj was established, and only Devdasis—who faced great social degradation—performed it. She therefore made an effort to dispel misconceptions about Sadhir practitioners who are women in addition to preserving and resurrecting the traditional dance.
- She modified the dance’s shringaaror sensuous overtones and emphasised its bhakti (devotional) component to make it more palatable to the broader public.
- She also brought extra elements that have come to be recognised as distinctive characteristics of contemporary Bharatnatyam performances, like trendy attire, temple jewellery, stage decorations, lighting, and others.
- Her sole contribution was to upgrade the traditional dance traditions by substituting refined and upscale elements for the rough and disrespectful ones. This gave the dancing style a new lease on life and contributed to its widespread appeal.
- To increase the popularity of the dance, Rukmini developed a specific curriculum in addition to creating and choreographing many bharatanatyam pieces. This curriculum included wonderfully crafted costumes, stage accessories, and jewellery.
- She was effective in elevating dance and Bharatnatyam to revered national forms in India.
- Rukmini Devi “maintained the system’s positive aspects, persuaded them to do so, and created for them a setting free of commercial considerations” when outstanding musicians and dance instructors joined the faculty.
Conclusion:
- The dance form’s evolution, new moniker, and widespread acclaim as a revered art form were largely due to Rukmini. Her years as an MP were also fruitful because she worked to ensure that Part IV of the Indian Constitution’s Article 51 (G), which makes it every citizen’s fundamental duty to show kindness and compassion to all living beings, was included. While Kalakshetra was a crucial point in her dance career, it was also fruitful because she worked to ensure that the inclusion of Part IV.
