The partition of the country along communal lines changed the mindset of the nationalist leaders. They wanted to prevent further divisions in the country on sectarian lines.

The main reasons were:

a. India had been divided on the basis of religion. Despite the wishes and efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, freedom had to come not to one nation but to two. More than one million people had been killed in riots between Hindus and Muslims. And the country could not afford further divisions on the basis of language.

b. Both Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Vallabh Bhai Patel were against the creation of linguistic states. They believed that it was time to keep India strong and united.