•  The demand for states on linguistic basis was developed even before India achieved independence from British rule. Through that time Indian administrative regions were identified as different provinces. Orissa was the first Indian state formed on a linguistic basis in 1936 due to the efforts of Madhusudan Das and became Orissa Province.
• In Orissa, the linguistic movement started in 1895 and intensified in later years with the demand for a separate Orissa province; at the time, what is now Odisha (formerly called Orissa) was a part of Bihar and Orissa Province
• After state reorganization in 1956, states were reorganized based on the language. The post-independence period saw the ascent of political movements for the creation of new states developed on linguistic lines.

Why we need linguistic state?

• The demand to create language-based political boundaries emerged out of a need to foster community participation and ensure stable governance. Further, it was hoped that vernacular languages would finally gain importance after being ignored by the British.
• It would lead to the local people participating in the administration in larger numbers because of being able to communicate in a common language.
• Governance would be made easier in areas, which shared linguistic and geographical features.
• This would lead to the development of vernacular languages, which had long been ignored by the British.
• Linguistic states have bolstered unity, contrary to Nehru’s belief that it would further fracture an already partitioned nation and not serve the ideals of secularism.
• Closer home, the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, which led to the birth of Bangladesh, had arisen from conflict between the Punjabi and Urdu speakers of west Pakistan with the Bengali speakers of the east.

Consequences of linguistic division of states:

• Creation of states based on language still keep India divided and there is a divide between the people who speaks different languages.
• People identify themselves based on the state and then they love to feel that their language is best and others may not be so great. So it create some psychological distance between people.
• Exploitation of people by Politicians: Language has evoked psychological and emotional feelings among people. Politicians are promoting the spread of only particular languages through monetary inducements. They exploit the sentiments of people at the time of election.
• Emergence of regional Political Parties: Linguism has resulted in the formation of regional political parties. At the present juncture these regional parties are playing a crucial role in the formation of government at the centre and also at some states. This has caused the Problem of political instability in the country. It has even increased the cost of election.

Recommendations of Sarkaria Commission:
In 1983, Sarkaria Commission was constituted to look in to the language problem in India and suggest measures. The Commission was headed by R.S. Sarkaria. The Commission made the following recommendations:

• Three language formula: It included the implementation of regional language, Hindi and English at the school level education.
• English was to be retained as the official language.
• Reorganisation of states into administrative units.
• Ban on Political parties and other organisations trying to promote Linguism.