Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 23: Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other progressive states face a crucial choice—to submit to domination or resist—and declared that they choose resistance.
Speaking at a Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting in Chennai, attended by Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin and top leaders from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Odisha, and West Bengal, Shivakumar said, "This is not a battle between the North and the South, but a fight to reclaim India's vision as a union of equal states."
He emphasized that the delimitation exercise is not merely about parliamentary seats but about the future of federalism. "If the Centre enforces this unjust formula, it will disrupt the federal balance, favoring states that have failed to control population growth. This will marginalize southern states and undermine cooperative federalism," he warned.
Shivakumar sent a strong message to the Union government, declaring that Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other progressive states will not remain silent. "We will fight in courts, in Parliament, and on the streets to safeguard our rights, resources, and identity," he stated.
Quoting historical figures, he urged, "Let us channel the defiance of Periyar, the statesmanship of Annadurai, and the fire of Basavanna. When Karnataka and Tamil Nadu stand together, no power can break us. When Kerala and Punjab raise their voices, the Himalayas will tremble."
Shivakumar pointed out that the 15th Finance Commission’s population-based formula had already caused harm. "If delimitation proceeds as planned, our political representation will shrink, making it harder to advocate for our rights in Parliament," he said.
He highlighted the rich cultural heritage of southern states, including Karnataka’s 1,500-year-old literary tradition, Tamil Nadu’s Sangam poetry, Kerala’s classical art forms, and Andhra’s Telugu heritage. "These are not just regional treasures—they are the soul of India," he remarked, criticizing the Centre’s push for "One Nation, One Language."
"The imposition of Hindi on railway signboards and competitive exams threatens our linguistic and cultural sovereignty. Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and other regional languages are not mere dialects; they are the lifeblood of our civilizations," he stated.
Shivakumar condemned the Centre’s attempt to penalize states that have successfully controlled population growth, improved literacy, and empowered women. "The proposed delimitation seeks to punish us for our success. Southern states have prioritized education, healthcare, and sustainable development, yet the Centre now plans to cut our parliamentary representation, silencing us," he added.
He cited economic contributions, stating that Karnataka alone contributes over Rs 4 lakh crore annually to the Centre’s Gross Tax Revenue but receives only Rs 45,000 crore in tax devolution and Rs 15,000 crore in grants. "For every rupee Karnataka contributes, only 13 paise returns to us. Southern states, which generate 35% of India’s GDP, are treated as ATM machines for the North," he remarked.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution rejecting any delimitation exercise based on the new census, demanding that the 1971 Census remain the basis for delimitation. "Delimitation should consider human development indices, tax contributions, and population control rather than mere numbers," he urged.
He proposed three key measures:
- A floor limit on parliamentary seats for states that have controlled population growth to prevent marginalization.
- Strengthening the Rajya Sabha to act as a counterbalance to the Lok Sabha and ensure developed states are not sidelined.
- A new fiscal federalism pact that guarantees fair tax devolution and resource sharing, with the 16th Finance Commission prioritizing equity and performance.
Shivakumar called for economic and social indicators to be considered in central fund allocations and the establishment of a National Language Rights Commission to ensure equal treatment of all scheduled languages. He also demanded state resolutions mandating the use of regional languages in central institutions, including banks, railways, and exams.
He urged the strengthening of the JAC as a permanent coalition to coordinate legal, legislative, and grassroots advocacy. "Let this JAC send a resounding message: we will not allow our voices to be diluted, our resources looted, or our cultures erased. Together, we will restore the federal promise of India—a union where diversity is celebrated, and equality is upheld," he declared, also agreeing with Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy's suggestion to take legal action.