Who among the following were the members of the Fazal Ali Commission?

Question

Who among the following were the members of the Fazal Ali Commission?

1. K. T. Shah

2. K. M. Panikkar

3. P. Sitaramaiah

4. H. N. Kunjaru

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 3
2. B. 2 and 4 (Correct answer)
3. C. 2 and 3
4. D. 1 and 2

Correct Answer

Option B — 2 and 4

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 2 and 4.

Key Points

• The States Reorganisation Commission, popularly called the Fazl Ali Commission, was appointed in 1953 and had exactly three members:
  • Justice Fazl Ali — Chairman
  • 2. K. M. Panikkar ✓
  • 4. H. N. Kunzru ✓
• 1. K. T. Shah ✗ and 3. P. Sitaramaiah ✗ were not members.
• Hence option (b).

Additional Information

• The Commission submitted its report in 1955. It accepted language as the basis of reorganisation but rejected the "one state, one language" principle, and recommended abolishing the fourfold Part A / B / C / D classification of states.
• Its report led to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 and the 7th Constitutional Amendment, creating 14 states and 6 union territories.
• Earlier committees on the same question: the Dhar Commission (1948), which rejected language as a basis and preferred administrative convenience, and the JVP Committee (1949) — Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya — which also rejected the linguistic principle.
• The immediate trigger for the Commission was the creation of Andhra state in 1953 after the death of Potti Sriramulu following a 56-day fast.