Black flag protest against proposed delimitation in Tamil Nadu tomorrow: MK Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called for a statewide black flag protest on Thursday against the proposed delimitation exercise, urging DMK cadres and the people across the poll-bound state to take part in the demonstrations.

In Short

• Stalin urges DMK cadres, people to participate in protest against delimitation
• Stalin accuses BJP of suppressing Tamil Nadu's voice and deceiving southern states
• Protest to coincide with Parliament session to amend Women's Reservation Act

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday announced a statewide black flag protest on Thursday against the proposed delimitation exercise and urged party cadres and the people across the poll-bound state to participate in the demonstrations. Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23.

The upcoming protest will coincide with the special three-day sitting of Parliament beginning Thursday to amend the Women's Reservation Act by implementing 33 per cent reservation for women by 2029, a move that will facilitate the delimitation of constituencies, potentially raising Lok Sabha seats to 850, based on the 2011 Census.

In a statement, Stalin alleged that the proposed delimitation move by the BJP-led central government would “suppress the voice of Tamil Nadu in Parliament” and unfairly impact southern states.

“We will hoist black flags in all homes and public places in Tamil Nadu against the black law that the BJP government will bring in the name of delimitation and suppress the voice of Tamil Nadu in Parliament. On Thursday, we will hoist black flags in all homes and public places in Tamil Nadu,” he alleged.

Southern states, including Tamil Nadu, oppose the proposed delimitation, fearing that using population-based figures will significantly reduce their share of seats in the Lok Sabha. They argue that such a move punishes their successful implementation of family planning and population control policies, while providing disproportionately more political power to northern states with higher population growth.

Stalin alleged that the BJP was going beyond its limits and is deceiving the southern states, including Tamil Nadu "in the name of delimitation."

“We will hoist black flags as a symbol of our opposition against the black law. We will hoist black flags against the autocratic BJP government that is taking India into a dark age,” he said.

The DMK has directed party units across all levels – from district, city, union and town to village, taluk and branch – to ensure participation in the protest.

“Tamil Nadu will fight! Tamil Nadu will win! Let’s win together!” Stalin further said.

The issue of delimitation has taken centre stage in Tamil Nadu, where the state is gearing up for single-phase polling on April 23 for its 234 Assembly constituencies.

LOK SABHA STRENGTH TO INCREASE TO 850

The government is planning to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to 850 seats from the current 543 as part of a plan to operationalise the women’s reservation law ahead of the 2029 general elections, following a proposed delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

According to sources, a draft bill detailing the proposed expansion has been circulated among Members of Parliament, with the government preparing to introduce key constitutional amendments during a special three-day session of Parliament beginning Thursday.

The upcoming session is expected to focus on amending provisions linked to the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, along with carrying out delimitation of constituencies based on the 2011 Census data. The increase in seats is aimed at facilitating the smooth implementation of the quota by enabling a comprehensive redrawing of electoral boundaries.

Under the plan, 815 seats would be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories, bringing the total strength of the House to 850. The revised structure is expected to come into effect from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

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