Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most economically developed states. It has a strong industrial base, high per capita income, and a GDP that contributes significantly to the national economy. Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 10% of the country’s GDP, although it has only about 5.4% of India’s population. The state has a high literacy rate and a higher education enrolment ratio of 47%, compared to the national average of 28.4%.
However, Tamil Nadu is distinct from other Indian states due to its strong Dravidian political identity, long-standing opposition to Hindi imposition, success in social welfare and education policies, economic contributions, and deep linguistic and cultural heritage centred around Tamil, one of the world’s oldest living languages.
So, why does Tamil Nadu oppose Hindi imposition? Why does it reject the three-language formula in the NEP, and view it as a threat to its linguistic and cultural identity?
Delimitation is the process of redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on population changes. This is another issue over which it is at loggerheads with the Centre. Tamil Nadu has effectively controlled its population growth, with a total fertility rate (TFR) of around 1.8, much lower than northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which have TFRs above 3.0.
How does delimitation, based on population growth, risk reducing Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary representation despite its economic contributions and success in population control, and what constitutional, political, and economic challenges does this pose for federalism in India? In a conversation with veteran journalist Karan Thapar, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Dr.Palanivel Thiagarajan (popularly known as PTR) delved on two major issues: Hindi imposition and delimitation.
The Opposition to Hindi Imposition
According to PTR, Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained a two-language policy with Tamil and English as the medium of instruction. This policy has yielded remarkable educational results compared to other states of India that follow a three-language formula. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 pushes a three-language model (thus surreptitiously imposing Hindi in the process). PTR argues that there is no empirical evidence to suggest that a three-language policy is better than a dual language system.
One of the key reasons for Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi is its fear of linguistic subjugation. The TN Minister alleges that many indigenous languages in the Hindi-speaking belt have been marginalised over time, absorbed into a larger Hindi identity. Some of these languages include Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Chhattisgarhi, and Garhwali. These widely spoken languages, have lost prominence due to the dominance of Hindi in administration, education, and public life. Tamil Nadu, with its rich linguistic and literary heritage, is determined not to let the same fate befall Tamil. PTR warned that enforcing Hindi would lead to further cultural hegemony and centralisation of power which should never happen in a diverse nation like India.
Another contentious aspect of this debate is the central government’s alleged use of financial coercion. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has withheld Rs.2,400 crores that is allocated to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Using strong words, PTR termed it as “an unconstitutional act of extortion”. His logic is that funds already passed in the Union budget should not come with additional conditions. Tamil Nadu will push for legal remedy against the central government’s move over the non-release of funds.
Delimitation: A Threat to Southern Representation?
PTR has called delimitation as a “sword hanging over South India.” Historically, Tamil Nadu and other South-India states have effectively controlled their population growth. This is in sharp contrast to North-India states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that have experienced rapid growth in population. TN Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s estimates that if delimitation is carried out based on the 2026 census, Tamil Nadu’s representation in the Lok Sabha shrink from 39 seats to 31. The fundamental concern for Tamilians is the lack of a “level playing field”. Tamil Nadu and other South-India states implemented national population control policies sincerely. But now they are being politically penalised for their success.
Paradoxically, states that failed to curb population growth now will get more parliamentary representation. The disparity can be seen with an MP from Tamil Nadu representing around 20 lakh people while an MP from Uttar Pradesh representing close to 30 lakh people. Delimitation would worsen this imbalance. This will weaken the position of South-India states when it comes to allocation of resources or key decisions in national policymaking.
Perplexing Challenge of Imbalance
In 1976, the central government froze delimitation for 25 years. This was meant to prevent penalising states that successfully controlled their population. In 2001, this freeze was extended for another 25 years. However, as 2026 approaches, the fear is that the freeze will not be extended, and South-India states will lose political clout in favour of the more populous North-India states. There is also an economic dimension to this delimitation-debate.
Although Tamil Nadu contributes 9.1% to India’s GDP and 6.5% of all direct tax revenues, it receives a disproportionately low share of central funds. Over the past decade, states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have received increased allocations under various schemes. Despite such huge fund transfers, there has not been any significant improvement in the economic situation of those states.
The Road Ahead
The proponents of Tamil and “just-delimitation” emphasise that the challenges posed by Hindi imposition and unfair-delimitation are not limited to Tamil Nadu but all South-India states. The short-term solution would be to extend the delimitation-freeze for another 25 years. The long-term solution involves improving governance, education, and economic conditions in all the states of India.
Despite reassurances from Home Minister Amit Shah that Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats would not be reduced, Tamilians remains unconvinced, arguing that such assurances must be backed by a constitutional amendment to carry any weight.
Tamil Nadu and other South-India states must act swiftly. They will have to go through legal battles, forge political alliances and start grassroots mobilisation to protect their interests. This is imperative to prevent a structural shift that could permanently diminish their voice in national governance.