Everette Assis Telles
The issue of parliamentary constituency delimitation has sparked significant debate, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Both states have voiced strong opposition to what they term a "unilateral move" by the central government to redraw constituency boundaries. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have united under the banner of "Constituency Delimitation: Unity Against the Unilateral Move," extending mutual support for a conference organised by Tamil Nadu to address this contentious issue.
The proposed delimitation exercise, which aims to adjust Lok Sabha constituencies based on population has raised concerns among southern states. They argue that such measures disproportionately favour northern states with higher population growth, potentially reducing the political representation of southern states that have successfully implemented population control measures. This has been perceived as a threat to the principles of democracy and federalism.
Adding to the tension is the central government's push for the National Education Policy (NEP) and its three-language formula, which has been met with resistance in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The formula mandates the inclusion of Hindi alongside regional languages and English, a move seen by many as an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. Tamil Nadu, in particular, has historically adhered to a two-language policy and has refused to implement the NEP, citing concerns over linguistic and cultural autonomy. The central government’s decision to withhold funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for non-compliance with NEP provisions has further escalated the conflict.
The language debate is not new. India, as a multilingual and multicultural society, has grappled with the question of linguistic identity since independence. While Hindi and English are official languages, the imposition of Hindi has often been resisted by states like Tamil Nadu, which view such moves as undermining their linguistic heritage. Linking federal funds to compliance with language policies has been criticized as unconstitutional and contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Even Goa has faced its share of language-related agitation. The Konkani language movement in the 1980s highlighted the need for linguistic preservation and autonomy. Eventually, Konkani was recognised as the official language of Goa, with schools given the choice to select their medium of instruction and include Konkani as an optional subject. The state’s policy set a precedent for linguistic inclusivity, ensuring that educational institutions could accommodate diverse linguistic preferences.
The challenges faced by Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other non-Hindi-speaking states underscore the importance of respecting regional identities in a federal structure. In a diverse nation like India, every state must have the autonomy to adopt language and education policies that reflect its unique cultural and linguistic heritage. The ongoing debates over constituency delimitation and language policies demand dialogue, mutual respect and consensus, ensuring that the unity of the nation is preserved without compromising the principles of democracy.