Relevance: GS Paper II

Source: The Hindu 

Context: The “Quality” of a Majority

In a democracy, numbers matter. To rule India, you need 272 seats in the Lok Sabha. But a recent study asks a deeper question: Does a “numerical” majority truly represent the “national” spirit?

The data reveals a stark reality: Indian political power is heavily tilted towards the “Hindi Heartland” (UP, Bihar, MP). A party can sweep the North and rule the country, even if it has almost no voice in the South or East. This creates a government that is technically “majority” but emotionally “partial.”

1. The Imbalance: Voices Lost in the Noise

• The Northern Bias: In the last 70 years, Northern states have been over-represented in central power 11 times. Their share in the government is often larger than their share in the population.
• The Southern Silence: Conversely, the South has been under-represented 9 times.
• The Exception: The era of Coalitions (1996-2009) was different. Regional parties acted as “kingmakers,” ensuring that a leader from Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh had as much say as one from Uttar Pradesh. This was a “messy” but inclusive time.
• The Return of Dominance: Since 2014, the “Heartland” has consolidated. The South often finds itself on the political “margin”—contributing taxes but losing political voice.

2. The Coming Storm: Delimitation 2026

The biggest threat to our federal family is the upcoming Delimitation (redrawing of seats based on population).

• The Success Trap: Southern states controlled their population effectively (following national policy).
• The Punishment: Because they have fewer people now, they stand to lose seats in Parliament.
• The Irony: Northern states, which lagged in population control, will gain seats.
• The Fear: If we strictly follow “One Person, One Vote,” the North will permanently dominate the South. This penalizes development and rewards demographic explosion.

3. Constitutional Dilemma

4. Way Ahead: A “Senate” Solution?

• Expand, Don’t Shrink: We can increase the total Lok Sabha seats (e.g., to 848) to accommodate the North, but ensure the South’s absolute number does not drop.
• Empower Rajya Sabha: Make the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) a true protector of state rights, perhaps giving equal representation to states regardless of size (like the US Senate).

UPSC Value Box

Why this matters for Unity:

• Emotional Alienation: If a citizen in Kerala feels their vote matters less than a citizen in UP, it fuels sub-nationalism.
• Fiscal Grievance: This political skew mirrors the economic one: The South contributes revenue, the North receives grants. This leads to a feeling of “Taxation without Representation.”

Analytical Insight:

• The Challenge: Democracy is about people, but Federalism is about regions. India must find a middle path where the “Majority” does not silence the “Minority.” 

Summary

The “Heartland” dominance in Indian politics is a historical reality that is deepening. With the 2026 Delimitation looming, the South faces the risk of becoming a permanent political minority. To keep the “Union” in the “Union of India,” we must ensure that demographic numbers do not crush democratic diversity.

One Line Wrap: A true national leader must win the trust of the geography, not just the arithmetic of the population.

Q. “The impending delimitation of Lok Sabha seats poses a threat to the federal balance between the North and South.” Analyze the challenges of reconciling ‘demographic shifts’ with ‘political representation’. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

Model Hints

• Introduction: Mention the 84th Amendment freeze and the 2026 deadline.
• Body:
  • The Conflict: High Pop growth (North) vs Low Pop growth (South).
  • The Injustice: Punishing states that succeeded in family planning (Kerala/TN) by reducing their seats.
  • The Imbalance: Risk of “Hindi Heartland” hegemony in Parliament.
• Conclusion: Suggest freezing the ratio or empowering Rajya Sabha to protect federal equity.