‘TN Will Launch Agitation If Rights Are Harmed’: Stalin On Delimitation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday issued a strong warning to the Central government over the proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that the Union government intends to “bulldoze” a Constitutional amendment without proper consultation with states.
He said Tamil Nadu would launch a massive agitation if the state’s interests are harmed or if southern states are disproportionately affected.
His remark comes as the Parliament is set to meet on April 16,17,18 in a special sitting of the budget session to discuss amendments to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 and a proposed Delimitation Bill to implement the one-third reservation for women in Parliament.
In a video, CM Stalin said, “This video serves two purposes: to speak about the grave danger that has now reached the very doorstep of Tamil Nadu, and to issue a clear warning to the Union BJP government. Even amidst the relentless pace of election campaigning, this duty cannot be set aside. The day after tomorrow, on April 16, a special session of Parliament is being convened. More accurately, it is being forcibly convened in the midst of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. In this session, the Union government intends to bulldoze through a Constitutional amendment on delimitation.”
The chief minister further said Tamil Nadu and other southern states had earlier followed population control and family planning measures as advised by the Centre, but were now facing potential consequences for it.
Stalin said Tamil Nadu would not remain silent if the state’s interests were harmed or if southern states were disproportionately affected by delimitation.
“From the very beginning, we have consistently cautioned against this. We have created awareness among the people. Not only in Tamil Nadu, but across India, we brought together Chief Ministers of states that stand to be affected, as well as leaders of major political parties, and convened a Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai,” he said.
Adding that they have called for more time to present their concerns to the Centre, Stalin said, “we sought time for Members of Parliament from various parties to meet the Prime Minister in person and present our concerns. Even that was denied. This hurried attempt to push through delimitation is a blatant assault on democracy by the BJP government. More than that, it is a direct assault on the rights of states. We do not even know how this delimitation exercise is going to be carried out.”
“India will once again witness the spirit of the DMK of the 1950s and 1960s. Do not mistake this for a threat. This is a warning. Even if you choose to interpret it as a threat, it does not concern us. Yes, this is a warning issued from Tamil Nadu. Elections and the exercise of power are secondary to us. We are a people of self-respect. For us, principles matter. The rights of states matter. These are the living ideals bequeathed to us by Perarignar Anna and Muthamizharignar Kalaignar. If you imagine that you can wrong Tamil Nadu and move on as usual, you are mistaken.”
Invoking Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, Stalin said, “On the birth anniversary of the Father of the Constitution, Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, I say this with utmost solemnity: If Tamil Nadu is affected, we will make the entire nation take notice. Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi, I repeat, this is the final warning issued to you from Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu will fight, Tamil Nadu will win. Tamil Nadu will fight, Tamil Nadu will win.”
The Centre has planned two major amendments. Originally, it was proposed that Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would implement women’s reservation using the new census and delimitation data. However, due to census delays, the plan is to proceed with the 2011 census data.
The Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816 post-amendment. A separate Delimitation Bill will be introduced. Both bills need to be passed as Constitutional amendments for women’s reservation. Keeping up with the status quo, there is no provision for OBC reservation, and SC/ST reservation will continue. (ANI)
