The North vs South debate over delimitation has reignited political tensions, with concerns that Hindi-speaking states could gain disproportionate influence. However, historical data since 1951 suggests otherwise. The Hindi belt’s share in the Lok Sabha has declined more than that of southern states, driven by federal restructuring, evolving state boundaries, and institutional decisions rather than population alone. As India approaches a potential delimitation exercise after decades, Shreya Chandra breaks down the numbers, the politics, and the implications for representation.
