Answer:

Introduction:

The democratic principle of ‘one vote one value’ underpins the need for equal representation in a parliamentary democracy like India. The delimitation of constituencies, the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies, is crucial to maintaining this principle. However, in a country as diverse and populous as India, delimitation presents significant challenges.

Body:

Challenges in ensuring ‘one vote one value’ during delimitation of constituencies in India

• Regional Population Imbalance: India’s North-South divide is a major challenge. The northern and central regions, dominated by Indo-Aryan language speakers, are more populous compared to the southern states, where Dravidian languages are prevalent. This imbalance impacts the political representation in the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of Parliament, potentially leading to a dominance of northern states in national politics​​.
• Demographic Changes: Since the last delimitation freeze in 1976, there have been significant demographic shifts. Some states, particularly in the South, have experienced slower population growth due to successful family planning programs. This creates a disparity, as states with higher growth rates potentially gain more representation under a new delimitation exercise​​​​.
• Outdated Constituency Boundaries: The Lok Sabha constituencies have remained largely unchanged since 1971, despite significant population growth. Ideally, each member of Parliament should represent approximately 1 million people. However, with the population now over 1.2 billion and the Lok Sabha consisting of only 543 members, this ratio is not maintained​​.
• Political Implications: Political parties, such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have varying levels of influence in different regions. Delimitation could shift the balance of power, potentially favoring regions where certain parties have stronger support​​.

Corrective Measures that can be taken, to uphold political equality and fair representation of all groups: 

• Equitable Redistribution of Seats: The Delimitation Commission must ensure an equitable distribution of Lok Sabha seats among states, taking into account the latest census data and demographic trends. This would mean altering the seat count for each state based on current population figures​​​​.
• Balancing Regional Interests: Ensuring that the delimitation process does not disproportionately benefit or penalize certain regions is crucial. For example, southern states that have effectively controlled their population growth should not be penalized with reduced representation​​​​.
• Enhanced Parliamentary Capacity: Considering the substantial increase in India’s population, expanding the capacity of the Lok Sabha to accommodate more lawmakers might be necessary. This would better reflect the current demographic realities and help maintain the ‘one vote one value’ principle​​.
• Active Political Engagement: Parliament and political leaders need to actively engage in discussions to ensure fairness in the delimitation process. This involves balancing the various regional, demographic, and political interests to uphold the democratic principle of equal representation​​.

Conclusion:

Delimitation in India is a complex and sensitive process, requiring a nuanced approach that respects the country’s demographic diversity while upholding the democratic principle of ‘one vote one value’. The next delimitation exercise should aim to address the existing disparities and ensure fair representation for all groups, thereby strengthening India’s democratic fabric.