Question

Which of the following is true regarding the Anglo-Indian representation in State Assemblies?

• A. The Governor still nominates one Anglo-Indian member to the Assembly.
• B. The provision was abolished by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment.
• C. The provision was abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment.
• D. Anglo-Indian members are elected through proportional representation.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The provision was abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment.

Abolition of Anglo-Indian Representation in State Assemblies

Background:

• Historically, the Constitution of India provided for the nomination of members belonging to the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies if the President or the Governor, respectively, felt that the community was not adequately represented.

• This provision was initially made to ensure representation for minority communities.

Constitutional Amendments:

• The 95th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2009 extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the nomination of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for a period of ten years from 2009.

• The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 made a significant change. It extended the reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for another ten years but abolished the nomination of members of the Anglo-Indian community to these bodies.

• Therefore, the special provision for nominating Anglo-Indian members to the State Assemblies (and the Lok Sabha) is no longer in effect.