Sat Mar 22 16:38:34 UTC 2025: ## Southern States Resist Proposed Delimitation Based on Population
**Chennai, March 22, 2025** – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, representing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting in Chennai, strongly condemned the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise based on population size. He described the move as a “political assault” on southern states, arguing it punishes them for their success in controlling population growth, improving literacy, and empowering women.
Addressing the meeting hosted by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Shivakumar declared that southern states face a choice between “submission or resistance,” opting for the latter. He highlighted the significant contributions of southern states to India’s growth through investments in education, healthcare, and sustainable development. He argued that the proposed reduction in parliamentary representation based on population is unfair and a betrayal of the constitutional promise to reward good governance.
Shivakumar pointed out that the 15th Finance Commission’s population-based formula already disadvantaged southern states, and the delimitation exercise would further diminish their political voice. He advocated for a weighted formula that considers human development indices, tax contributions, and population control in determining parliamentary representation, emphasizing that representation should reflect governance quality, not just population size.
Furthermore, Shivakumar demanded the establishment of a National Language Rights Commission to ensure the equality of all scheduled languages. The meeting underscored a united front among southern states against the proposed delimitation exercise, framing the issue as one of identity, culture, and heritage preservation.
First Piper 