Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday announced a statewide black flag agitation on April 16 to protest against the proposed delimitation exercise. He also issued a strong warning to the Centre, stating that it would face consequences and a “heavy price” if Tamil Nadu’s concerns were ignored.

“A grave threat to Tamil Nadu,” says Stalin

Stalin, who is also the president of the ruling DMK, made the announcement after chairing an emergency meeting of party MPs and district secretaries via video conference. Speaking on the issue, he remarked that “the sword that hung over our heads has now descended upon us.”

He said the DMK is reaching out to Members of Parliament across various states and is working on a coordinated strategy to counter what he described as a “grave danger”.

In a statement, Stalin alleged that the delimitation amendment proposed by the Union BJP government, expected to be introduced in Parliament on Thursday, would amount to a “massive, historic injustice” against Tamil Nadu and other southern states.

He questioned whether the proposed exercise, which he claimed could disadvantage southern states, was a form of “punishment for contributing to India’s progress”.

“Is this how Tamil Nadu and the southern states are repaid?” he asked, adding that people across southern India are “seething with anger”.

Black flag protest

Announcing the protest, Stalin said black flags would be displayed across homes and public places throughout Tamil Nadu on April 16.

“The BJP is playing with fire. Across Tamil Nadu, black flags will rise from homes and public spaces tomorrow in protest against delimitation,” he said.

He further warned that if the Union government failed to respect Tamil Nadu’s concerns and did not reconsider its position, it would have to face serious consequences.

“The price you will pay will be heavy,” Stalin said, adding that he was speaking not only as DMK president but also as a “self-respecting Tamil”.

Appeal for national unity on the issue

Stalin pointed out that the issue goes beyond party lines and called for a united stand across the country.

“This is not about parties or individuals. It is about protecting the rights of our people. I appeal to all parties and MPs across India to unite to safeguard our democracy,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Stalin held an emergency meeting with DMK MPs, followed by a session with party district secretaries to discuss the possible impact of the delimitation exercise on the state.

The meetings were conducted via video conference from Dharmapuri amid his ongoing election campaign, party sources said. The discussions began at 11 am, during which the party’s stance to be adopted in Parliament was finalised.

On Tuesday, Stalin had already cautioned that Tamil Nadu could witness large-scale protests that might bring the state to a standstill if any move harmed its interests or disproportionately increased the political influence of northern states through delimitation.

He also referred to the DMK’s earlier phase in the 1950s and 1960s, when the party led major agitations over state rights and opposition to the imposition of Hindi.

The DMK was founded in 1949 by Dravidian leader C N Annadurai.

Speaking at election rallies in northern Tamil Nadu on April 14, Stalin alleged that provisions linked to the women’s reservation bill indicated a “conspiracy” that could widen the gap between Tamil Nadu and northern states once delimitation is implemented.

As part of efforts to build wider opposition to the proposal, Stalin had last year convened a meeting in Chennai with leaders from non-BJP ruled states. Among those who attended were Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Agency inputs