“Raj Thackeray Outlines Detailed Concerns Over Potential Risks Arising from Lok Sabha Delimitation in Facebook Post”
Mumbai, April 17:
A heated debate is currently underway in the Lok Sabha over the Women’s Reservation Bill, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, introduced by the Central government through the 131st Constitutional Amendment. Criticism is emerging from various quarters that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS are using this bill as a cover to push for the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies.
Just as Members of Parliament from southern states have strongly opposed the move, MPs from Maharashtra have also voiced firm resistance. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant clarified his party’s stance on the issue yesterday. Today, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray shared a detailed post on Facebook, elaborating on the serious consequences that may arise from delimitation. In his post, he launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s policies. His write-up is analytical and thought-provoking. Here’s what Raj Thackeray said:
It appears that the Central Government has currently embarked on an attempt to ensure a perpetual hold on power for itself through measures such as the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies and the Women’s Reservation Bill. Through the 131st Constitutional Amendment, an impression was created that the objective was to undertake the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies and provide 33% reservation for women. Then suddenly, while discussions regarding the bill were still underway, the Central Government issued a notification last night declaring that the 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill has come into effect starting today. If discussions regarding the proposed changes are still ongoing, then what was the hurry? What exactly does the Central Government intend to achieve?
We harbor absolutely no opposition to women’s reservation; on the contrary, the fact that women are securing reservation is a matter of great joy.
Therefore, it must be clearly understood that the opposition currently being voiced against this amendment, by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena as well as other political parties, is not an opposition to women’s reservation itself. Also, outsiders need not even attempt to lecture Maharashtra about women’s reservation, for it was this very state that pioneered the introduction of reservation for women in local self-governing bodies.
Our opposition is specifically directed against the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies based on population figures. Articles 81 and 82 of the Constitution stipulate that seats in the Lok Sabha shall be allocated in proportion to the population of the respective states. The direct implication of this is that those states which have diligently kept their populations under control, through advancements in education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, will effectively be penalized for their efforts. While states that allowed their populations to grow unchecked, thereby driving their entire state machinery into ruin, will see their parliamentary representation increase. What kind of bizarre justice is this?
Whether it be West Bengal, Punjab, Odisha, or the states of Northeast India, or even Maharashtra, Goa, and the other southern states – each of which possesses its own distinct culture, language, and script – it is certain that attempts to ‘Hindi-ize’ them will begin.
Fundamentally, people from 3-4 northern states have begun to establish a significant foothold across states such as Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
In Maharashtra these groups have even carved out their own vote banks and constituencies. Individuals hailing from these northern regions are now becoming elected representatives in this state. However just because they get elected here, does not mean they have any genuine allegiance or concern for this region; rather, their focus remains firmly fixed on their respective home states. Such conditions in Maharashtra will eventually get replicated in the southern states including Gujarat. So they get elected here, as well as back in their home states…
Furthermore, it would be wrong to expect the the Delimitation Commission to be truly autonomous and to carry out the restructuring of constituencies in an impartial manner. Why wouldn’t the Delimitation Commission display the very same ‘skill’ used to fragment the constituencies during municipal elections this time? Does any commission in the country today truly possess impartiality?
Anyways.
Fundamentally, where has the realization gone that this country is a federation? States such as Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala have successfully brought their fertility rates down to below 2, whereas the fertility rates of the northern states hover around 3. Does this mean that those who demonstrated prudence are to be penalized? And those who showed no sensibility for over 7 decades will now command a louder voice in Parliament? If one wishes to gauge what they might do once they enter Parliament in large numbers, one need only recall that in 2010, the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal tore up the draft of the Women’s Reservation Bill right inside the Parliament.
Currently if Maharashtra contributes 1 rupee in taxes to the Centre, the state receives a mere 30 to 40 paise in return; conversely, if Uttar Pradesh contributes 1 rupee in taxes, it receives 3 rupees back, while Bihar receives a staggering 5 rupees. So not only will we be denied our rightful share of tax revenue, but now the collective voice in Parliament of all five southern states including Maharashtra and Goa is also set to diminish. This will not be tolerated.
Everyone has witnessed the various measures the government has recently undertaken under the guise of making Hindi mandatory. Tomorrow, leveraging their increased parliamentary strength, they may well attempt to impose Hindi upon the entire nation. This is real. And for this very reason, the southern states have united in opposition to it. It’s unclear what stance elected representatives from the state of Gujarat have taken. If Gujarat believes that all will be well simply because Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Amit Shah are at the helm, they are well advised to remember, that nobody stays safe and secure in the trenches forever. Sooner or later you’re bound to get into the line of fire.
For the past ten years, the Bharatiya Janata Party has been engaged in splitting political parties, poaching MLAs and MPs, sowing discord within political families, and inciting passions in the name of caste and religion; but now, their audacity has reached the point of attempting to divide the entire nation into two factions.
The efforts the BJP’s attempts at perpetuating its own power under the guise of ‘delimitation’ will permanently cleave this country and trigger demands for autonomy across various states. The repercussions of this will also reach our Defense and Home Ministries! Do not forget the bloody conflict that the demand for ‘Khalistan’ ignited in Punjab just a few decades ago. What if a wave of discontent similar to Punjab were to emerge tomorrow, spanning from the states of Northeast India all the way to the South? The BJP’s insatiable, monstrous lust for power will be held solely responsible should such a situation arise.
I assume that the BJP is well aware of the history – specifically, the struggles that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had to endure while uniting this nation – in whose name you engage in politics and seek votes. Do not devalue that struggle for the sake of your own self-interest.
Wish to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats? Go right ahead by all means. However, the current quota allocated to the states must remain entirely undisturbed. Provide a minimum guaranteed number of seats to Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, as well as the Northeastern states, and allocate the remaining seats based on population.
The Central Government is currently playing with fire. They seek to cling to power by turning the Lok Sabha into a mere arena of numbers; yet, they fail to realize that sooner or later, this will strike at the very foundations of India’s federal structure. And once that happens, it will take no time at all for anarchy to engulf this nation!
I read in the newspaper that Chandrababu Naidu has declared his support for these efforts by the Centre. I request him not to allow yourself to be dragged along just because you are a part of the ruling dispensation. Today, Telangana Chief Minister Mr. Revanth Reddy and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. Stalin are putting up a resolute fight; a similar expectation is held of every political party in this country – specifically those representing states that possess a sense of self-respect and a distinct cultural. Bear in mind that an attempt is being made to fundamentally alter the very political culture of this nation; and once that is accomplished, consider the ground beneath your feet to have completely slipped away.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supports women’s reservation, but it unequivocally opposes the ongoing attempts to use this issue as a pretext to elevate the prominence of North Indians. Be sure that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will launch a timely and vigorous agitation against this.
Raj Thackeray |
