"Greatest Assault On The Federal Structure": DMK MP Kanimozhi In Lok Sabha

DMK MP Kanimozhi on Friday criticised the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, calling the delimitation process to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha, the "greatest assault on the federal structure." Addressing the Lok Sabha while adorning a black saree in protest, Kanimozhi criticised the Centre's move to notify the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, in the Gazette last night, when one-third reservation for women legislators is being discussed in Parliament. The DMK MP said, "I not only stand as a representative of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, but also eight crore people who have been told amidst the elections that their votes will count less and their voice in this Parliament will be diminished. It is really shocking. We are discussing the Bill here, so what was the need to notify it yesterday? What is the respect you have for this House? These three bills are disguised as if they are in support of reservation for women, constitute the single greatest assault on federal structure." Terming population-based delimitation an injustice to southern states, she noted that Tamil Nadu's fertility rate has come down to 1.6, and the state has completed its demographic transition.