'No Shah Can Rule Here': Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's Challenge To Amit Shah On NEET, Delimitation

Amid the ongoing political tussle between the southern state of Tamil Nadu and the Centre, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his April 11 criticism that where he said that the ruling DMK was raking up issues like NEET and delimitation as "diversionary " tactics.

The chief minister also challenged Shah to give "clear answers" to the people of the state if the ruling dispensation was indeed diverting attention.

For over months now, Tamil Nadu's ruling political party DMK has been strongly voicing opposition to several issues including NEET, delimitation, and three language issue.

"Do you believe you can win by intimidating a few here and by forming alliances? Bring all your allies, we are ready for a fight...Not Amit Shah — no other "Shah" can rule here. This is Tamil Nadu. As long as Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin is here, your plans will not succeed," the CM said.

"Whether it is NEET or 3-language policy, Waqf Amendment Act or delimitation that likely to affect certain states-- only we are strongly voicing opposition. Amit Shah had said that we are saying these to divert attention. What I want to say is that Tamil Nadu is struggling for all Indian states. Is it wrong to demand states' rights," he added.

"Can you say you can give NEET exemption, can you assure Hindi won't be imposed, can you list out the (central) funds given to Tamil Nadu and can you assure (Parliamentary) representation won't decline due to delimitation. If what we are doing is diversion, why haven't you given clear answers to people of Tamil Nadu on these issues," Stalin asked the union minister.

NEP 2020, Three Language Row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for months have condemned the central government over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 concerning the three-language row.

Under NEP 2020, all states must teach three languages in school - with Hindi being the third language. According to Stalin, the forced adoption of NEP 2020 and the Hindi language has "swallowed" 25 north Indian languages.

The Tamil Nadu CM further stated that the notion of Hindu being a "unifying language" is a deliberate attempt to erase linguistic diversity.

"More than 25 north Indian native languages have been destroyed by the invasion of hegemonic Hindi-Sanskrit languages. The century-old Dravidian movement safeguarded Tamil and its culture because of the awareness it created and the various agitations," the ruling DMK chief said, adding that languages such Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, and Mundari, are "gasping for survival."

Tamil Nadu Delimitation Exercise: What Is The Row All About?

The delimitation exercise, which is expected next year, revolves around redrawing parliamentary constituencies based on population levels. It is anticipated that the exercise could also meddle with the proportion of Lok Sabha representatives from the southern states.

In recent times, the delimitation issue has taken center stage owing to a visible conflict between the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led central government as CM Stalin expressed concerns over possibly losing eight parliamentary seats due to the state라이브 바카라 success in implementing a family planning program, which resulted in population control. As a result, the state라이브 바카라 representation in Parliament could be reduced.

NEET Row

The state's challenge to the NEET system is a long-running one.

The primary argument is that it benefits students from richer families and sections of society as they can better afford the intensive coaching and prep needed to pass the exam. Switching to using Class 12 marks as the admission criteria will, the state has argued, ensure social justice.

The furore over NEET also comes amid multiple controversies in recent years, including young people dying by suicide because they can't clear the exam and the leak of exam papers.