Ruckus in Parliament: DMK’s Demands Over Delimitation Cause Shifted Budget Session to 2 pm Re-start

Protests Mar Parliament’s Proceedings as DMK MPs Wear Identical T-Shirts Over Delimitation Issue

Parliament was marred by protests in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday, as DMK MPs staged a symbolic demonstration against the proposed delimitation method, rendering the House adjourned multiple times. The unprecedented display of defiance sparked strong reactions from the presiding officers, who deemed the behaviour "unbecoming of the dignity of Parliament."

The Lok Sabha was first to be disrupted, with DMK MPs entering the chamber wearing identical T-shirts with the message "Save Democracy, Save India" written on them. Speaker Om Birla, taken aback by the protest, immediately adjourned the House until noon, citing that the MPs were behaving in a manner that was "not in line with the dignity of the House." The decision was met with opposition from the DMK, which claimed that the Speaker was "silencing" their voices.

The impasse continued, with the House being adjourned once more, this time until 12:15 pm, when Rajya Sabha was also disrupted. Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar called a meeting with floor leaders to discuss the matter, only to have the DMK members continue their protests, eventually adjourning the House until 2 pm.

The DMK’s protests stem from their concerns over the proposal to delimit electoral constituencies, which they claim will lead to the loss of representation for southern states like Tamil Nadu. According to the 2001 Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, delimitation is to be conducted every 10 years, but the freeze on delimitation is set to expire in 2026. The DMK has expressed fears that this will lead to a reduction in their state’s representation in the Lok Sabha.

The issue has taken on added significance given the upcoming elections in 2026 in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK seeking to capitalize on the delimitation issue to galvanize public support. However, the central government has maintained that no state would lose a single seat on a pro-rata basis, a claim the DMK has challenged, demanding clarity.

As the impasse continued, the adjournments left the country wondering if the protests would escalate, and whether the DMK’s concerns would be addressed. Only time will tell if the opposition party’s cries for justice will be heard, or if the controversy will simmer down as the dust settles.

Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/parliament-budget-session-both-houses-adjourned-dmk-delimitation-protests-9896262/
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Publish Date: 2025-03-20 12:57:00