Structure:

• Introduction: Indian constitution makers decided to with the Canadian model in comparison to the American model.
• Body: Initially agree with the statement by providing many examples of how the stronger centre has helped India to be united even after 73 years of its journey. Later on disagree with the statement by giving examples of Kashmir issue, Assam issue, Nagaland issue etc.
• Conclusion: Based on your above discussion conclude with the decision which is given higher weightage in your body.

Content:

Introduction:

The Constitution of India provides for a federal system of government in the country. The framers adopted the federal system due to two main reasons—the large size of the country and its sociocultural diversity. They realised that the federal system not only ensures the efficient governance of the country but also reconciles national unity with regional autonomy. The Indian federal system is based on the ‘Canadian model’ and not on the ‘American model’. The ‘Canadian model’ differs fundamentally from the ‘American model’ in so far as it establishes a very strong centre.

Body:

After India became free, the framers of our Constitution were conscious of the need to have a strong Centre. They were convinced that a strong alone can ensure the territorial integrity of the country and safeguard its hard- earned freedom. It was for this reason that a number of provisions in the interest of the unity of the country were enshrined in our Constitution.

Our Constitution provides for many common bonds like integrated judicial organisation with a Supreme Court as the highest judicial authority, a single Comptroller and Auditor General of India, a single Election Commission, and all-India integrated services like the I.A.S., IFS. I.P.S., etc. Besides, a number of para-military forces like the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police, the Industrial Security Force, etc. have been set up under the Central Government. A Planning Commission at the Centre draws up the five-year plans for the economic development of the country.

When the fathers of the Constitution framed the Constitution, their aim was the unity and security of India. They, therefore, gave ample powers to the Central Government. They provided for imposition of President’s rule and declaration of a state of Emergency by the Centre under certain situations.

Some critics are of the view that the Constitution of India has given wide powers to the Central Government at the cost of the States. They feel that States have been reduced to the position of what one may call “glorified municipal corporations”. In recent years, the States, especially those where opposition parties are in power, have been demanding greater autonomy and devolution of powers.

The unity of India faces grave challenges today. First, regionalism is gaining ground in India. A large number of regional parties have come into existence it is generally seen that these parties prefer regional interest to national interest. Secondly, separatist tendencies are developing among certain sections the people who demand separate homelands, for example, Nagaland, Mizoram, “bodoland, Khalistan, Gorkhaland, etc

Thirdly, despite our Constitution having declared India as a secular State communal riot erupt every now and then and pose a threat to the unity of India. Fourthly, casteism and lmguism are also affecting the unity of the country Caste factor also plays a great role during the elections.

Conclusion:

India is a land of unity in diversity. Political unity presupposes a strong and stable Central Government which can keep the diverse elements in the country together. Whenever the Central Government in India became weak, foreign countries enslaved her. This is the lesson of history. If we forget this lesson, we will do so at our peril.