Tamil Nadu sets stage to examine state autonomy, forms high-level committee

New Delhi, Apr 15: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has constituted a high-level committee to examine state autonomy, setting the stage for a broader campaign to assert the rights of Indian states within the federal structure. Headed by retired Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph, the three-member panel will conduct a comprehensive review of the relationship between the union and the states, focusing on reclaiming powers that have shifted from the state list to the concurrent list over time.

The formation of the committee also includes former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty and economist M Naganathan, which showcases a deepening rift between the DMK-led state government and the BJP-led Union government. Stalin presented the move as both a protective measure and a political clarion call, amidst mounting tensions over issues ranging from education policy and taxation to fiscal devolution and gubernatorial interventions.

Set to submit an interim report in January 2026 and a final one within two years, the panel is tasked with evaluating legal frameworks and constitutional provisions to recommend steps for reinforcing state autonomy. The backdrop to this announcement includes a landmark Supreme Court verdict delivered on April 8, invalidating Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s refusal to assent to ten bills passed by the state assembly. The court ruled that once the legislature re-presents bills, the Governor is constitutionally bound to approve them, a decision widely viewed as a victory for state rights.

The committee’s formation also coincides with a rejection by the President of Tamil Nadu’s long-standing resolution to exempt the state from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Stalin condemned the decision as an assault on federal principles and a symptom of excessive centralisation. He reiterated his government’s stance that education should be restored as an exclusive state subject, reversing the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, which had moved it to the Concurrent List.

Beyond policy, the initiative signals a broader political strategy ahead of the 2026 state elections. Stalin’s emphasis on federalism, institutional autonomy, and fiscal justice is framed as a direct counterpoint to highlight the centralising tendencies of the Union government. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, in the federalism debate, invoked the legacy of former leaders C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi, who spearheaded similar efforts through the Rajamannar Committee over five decades ago. The current push is not only rooted in constitutional and legal arguments but also draws strength from a strong emotional and historical undercurrent in Tamil Nadu’s political consciousness. With the AIADMK re-aligning with the BJP at the national level, Stalin appears to be positioning the DMK as the principal custodian of Tamil Nadu’s autonomy and identity.

Concerns over representation have further amplified the urgency of this agenda. With the upcoming delimitation exercise expected to reduce the number of Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary seats due to population control measures, the state fears penalisation for its development achievements. Stalin described the scenario as reported by the regional media as a “punishment for success,” raising alarm about the potential erosion of political voice at the national level.

Financially, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s contribution to the national economy and criticised the current revenue-sharing formula. He noted that Tamil Nadu receives only a fraction of the taxes it contributes, while its autonomy to raise independent revenues has been curtailed. Stalin also pointed to the alleged withholding of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, amounting to Rs 2,500 crore, due to the state’s non-compliance with the National Education Policy 2020.

Stalin cited constitutional architect B.R. Ambedkar and American founding father James Madison to reinforce that states are not subordinate entities but equal stakeholders in governance. The DMK’s campaign, thus, is not merely about Tamil Nadu but framed as a national moment — one that seeks to reignite the federalist spirit across India.

The Chief Minister’s call to action — invoking historical figures, constitutional ideals, and the lived experience of Tamil Nadu — suggests a political terrain where the question of “who speaks for the state” will dominate electoral narratives. Political analysts suggest that by institutionalising the autonomy debate through this new panel, the DMK aims to translate constitutional discourse into political capital while reaffirming Tamil Nadu’s role as the vanguard of federalist resistance in India.