Who brought the 26th Amendment act in 1971 to abolish the privileges, titles, and privy purses of the princely rulers?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the political context of India in the early 1970s.

Correct Answer: D) Indira Gandhi.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The 26th Amendment to the Indian Constitution was a significant legislative act that was introduced and enacted in 1971. This amendment was brought by Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister of India at the time. The primary purpose of the 26th Amendment was to abolish the privileges, titles, and privy purses of the princely rulers who had been granted these benefits under the terms of the Instrument of Accession when their states merged with the Indian Union after independence.

The historical context of the 26th Amendment is important to understand. After India gained independence in 1947, the princely states were integrated into the Indian Union. In exchange for their cooperation, the rulers of these states were granted certain privileges, titles, and monetary allowances known as privy purses. However, as India moved towards a more egalitarian and democratic society, these privileges were seen as anachronistic and contrary to the principles of the Indian Constitution.

Indira Gandhi, as Prime Minister, took the initiative to abolish these privileges. The 26th Amendment was passed by both houses of the Indian Parliament and received the assent of the President of India. This amendment removed the right of the former rulers to receive privy purses and other privileges, effectively ending the special status that these individuals had enjoyed since the integration of the princely states.

The 26th Amendment was part of a broader set of reforms that Indira Gandhi implemented during her tenure as Prime Minister. These reforms were aimed at modernizing India and aligning the country more closely with the principles of democracy and equality. The abolition of the privileges of the princely rulers was seen as a step towards reducing the influence of the old feudal system and promoting a more uniform and egalitarian society.

Understanding the 26th Amendment and its context is crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations such as the UPSC, SSC, and other government exams. It is a part of the broader knowledge of Indian political history and constitutional amendments that are frequently tested in these examinations.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Jawaharlal Nehru was a significant figure in Indian politics, but he was not the one who brought the 26th Amendment in 1971. Nehru was Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, and the amendment came after his tenure.
Option B: Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India, but he was not involved in the 26th Amendment. The amendment was enacted during the tenure of the third President, V. V. Giri, and the Prime Minister at the time was Indira Gandhi.
Option C: Sardar Patel was a key figure in the Indian independence movement and the integration of princely states, but he passed away in 1950, long before the 26th Amendment was enacted in 1971.
Option D: Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. During her tenure, she brought the 26th Amendment in 1971 to abolish the privileges, titles, and privy purses of the princely rulers, making this the correct answer.

Mnemonic: Remember "Indira" for "Indian" and "26th" for "26th Amendment".

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