Article 2A of the Indian Constitution
**Article 2A of the Indian Constitution (Repealed):** Sikkim to be associated with the Union.
(Note: This article was repealed and is no longer part of the Indian Constitution.)
Article 2A of the Indian Constitution was a short-lived provision relating to the association of Sikkim with the Union of India. Introduced and repealed within the framework of the 36th Constitutional Amendment, it marked a critical phase in the political and constitutional history of India by formalising the incorporation of Sikkim as a full-fledged state.
Introduction and Enactment
Article 2A was inserted into the Constitution through the 36th Amendment Act, enacted on 26 April 1975. It provided for the formal association of Sikkim with India, paving the way for its eventual recognition as the 22nd state of the Union. This development followed significant political changes within Sikkim, which had previously held the status of an Indian protectorate.
Repeal and Statehood
The 36th Amendment not only introduced Article 2A but also repealed it almost immediately as part of the same process. This repeal signified the completion of Sikkim’s integration into the Indian Union. From that point forward, Sikkim ceased to be a distinct entity under a special provision and began functioning within the same constitutional framework as other states.
Significance of Integration
The integration of Sikkim was a milestone in strengthening India’s national unity and territorial integrity. As the 22nd state, Sikkim’s inclusion reinforced the federal structure of India while extending the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of statehood to its people. The move also carried geopolitical importance, given Sikkim’s strategic location in the eastern Himalayas.
Historical Background
Before 1975, Sikkim was an Indian protectorate with its internal governance largely autonomous but with defence, foreign affairs, and communications under Indian control. Political developments, combined with popular support for closer ties with India, led to the decision for full integration. This was formalised through constitutional amendment and parliamentary approval.
Related Constitutional Provisions
Article 2 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to admit new states into the Union, while Article 3 permits alterations to the boundaries or names of states. Article 1 defines India as a Union of States, a provision under which Sikkim’s statehood found constitutional legitimacy.
Current Status
Today, Sikkim functions as an integral part of India’s political and administrative system, with the same rights and obligations as any other state. It is represented in both Houses of Parliament and governed under the same constitutional provisions that apply across the Union.