Indian federalism: Construction of a Unitary Discourse

Abstract

India’s rich diversity of ethnic identities, languages, cultures, and religions has been fundamental to its democratic values since independence. Indian federalism has played a crucial role in fostering a free society, promoting national unity, and ensuring balanced economic development. The nature of Indian federalism is a subject of insightful debate. Some scholars classify it as “administrative federalism,” while others argue for “cooperative federalism” or a “keeping together” approach, in contrast to the “coming together” model seen in the United States. Although the official framework of the Constitution notes India as a “union of states”, its centralising tendencies expose a deeper fear about unity, sovereignty, and postcolonial state building. This paper analyses the development of Indian federalism with an eye towards how a unitary rhetoric came to define the political practices of the Indian state as well as the constitutional framework. With special reference to Constituent Assembly debates, major theories of federalism, and current political events, the paper questions the prevailing narrative of “unitary federalism” while yet sensitive to the convoluted and sometimes contradictory reality of Centre-state relations.