Indian parliament is going to make the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats (House of the people ) in 2026 as the 25 years delimitation freeze is to end
The Lok Sabha of Indian parliament has allowed maximum 550 seats and Rajya Sabha 245 seats representing a constituency and they are distributed on the basis of the population of 10 lakh each constituency.
When did last delimitation take place?
The 87th Amendment Act of 2002 as per population 2001 census during the time of Primer Minister Atal Vihari Vajpayee restricted the further delimitation (redistribution of the seats in the in the house) till 2026, so the frequent redistribution of the seats do not occur ,but the restriction is going to end in 2026 and the Union government of India is to make the delimitation of the seats so the redistribution of seats can be done.
Why there is need of delimitation?
The criteria for one constituency is to represent 10 lakhs of the people, and over the time there has been a growth in the population of India,and it has increased by a great number so the criteria of representing 10 lakhs people or for a constituency the number of people has increased significantly in some constituency 15 lakh to more than 20 lakhs, so there is a need of redistribution of seats that means there will be increase of seats in the house as per the population, so the representative of 10 lakh each can be maintained.
What are the delimitation controversy ?
North India has always more population than the southern part of India,so comparatively north India has more seats in the house of the people (Lok Sabha) than the south Indian , and the almost legislative decisions are taken in the parliament on the basis of simple majority (50%+1) and in rare cases on the basis of special majority ( simple majority+ consent of 50% of the Indian states), so South Indian representatives always have alleged that North India has influenced the Indian policies and decisions , that undermines the South India's views and perspectives in decision making.
What does South india wants in while doing delimitation in 2026 ?
The upcoming 2026 delimitation exercise has raised strong opposition from South Indian states, mainly due to concerns about political representation and fairness in governance. Here’s why they are against it:
1. Fear of Losing Political Influence
Southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have seen slower population growth compared to North Indian states. If parliamentary seats are redistributed based on population, South India might lose seats, while states with higher population growth in the North will gain more representation. This could reduce the South’s influence in national decision-making.
2. Punishment for Population Control Success
Over the years, South Indian states actively promoted family planning policies, leading to stable or declining fertility rates. In contrast, many northern states have had higher birth rates. If the number of seats is adjusted purely based on population, it may seem like Southern states are being penalized for successfully managing population growth, while those with larger populations are rewarded.
3. Economic Contribution vs. Political Power
The South plays a crucial role in India’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, exports, and tax revenues. However, with fewer seats in Parliament, their ability to influence economic policies and financial allocations from the central government may weaken. This has raised concerns that funds and resources could be redirected more towards North India, despite the South’s higher economic productivity.
4. Growing North-South Political Divide
Delimitation could deepen existing regional disparities, as Northern states would hold more political weight in Parliament. This could lead to governance policies that are heavily influenced by North-centric issues, potentially sidelining South India’s priorities. Some fear that this shift in power might weaken federalism, where all states should have a fair say in national policies.
Many experts and political leaders from the South argue that population alone should not determine representation. Instead, they suggest factors like economic performance, literacy rates, and governance efficiency should also play a role. Some have proposed a bicameral system where one house is based on population while another ensures fair regional representation.
What is " fair delimitation" delimitation campaign?
Actually,the south India leaders form the states likes Tamil Nadu, Kerala,Andhar Pradesh, Telangana and some from North India like Punjab and Haryana also come together and started the Joint Action Committee to resist the delimitation on the basis of population and held its first meeting on Saturday 22 March 2025 ,in Delhi under the leadership of Tamil Nadu CM M.K.Stalin. And they want delimitation not just on the basis of population but also other factors like economic participation, literacy etc.
Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 22, 2025
I warmly welcome all Chief Ministers and political leaders to this meeting, united in our… pic.twitter.com/s35eg8Tw7g
What actually should it be?
There should first forget the fear that the domination by North India over the South in public policies, because india is a Union and there will never be equal population for every state,so this difference will always remain.
And when the logic of family planning is argued that south India controlled their population and north India grew it , this is not logical, because since the family planning policies came the south India had developed their selves because economically they were developed and the resources of North India were extracted, so comparatively north India couldn't control the family planning that costs too .
Thirdly the south india primarily opposes this delimitation due to fear of imposing north indian influence over them as the controversy of makeing Hindi as the official language of India is on of them, so this type of purpose the resistance is necessary, because maintaining of unity in diversity is on of India's main characteristics , so if the country runs smoothly without having an official language in a land of diverse language, there is no need of forcefully imposing one single language over others.
Many experts and political leaders from the South argue that population alone should not determine representation. Instead, they suggest factors like economic performance, literacy rates, and governance efficiency should also play a role. Some have proposed a bicameral system where one house is based on population while another ensures fair regional representation.This point to some extent is right but 'how it can be determined' is very complex so population as the criteria is very simple and less expensive option.
Would you like any refinements or additional points to make the argument stronger?
0 Comments