In a bold nod to its federalist roots, Tamil Nadu has unveiled a High-Level Committee tasked with re-examining and reaffirming the principle of State autonomy—this time through the lens of present-day political turbulence. At the helm: former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph.
The move, announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin on social media, marks a significant revival of the Dravidian ethos that has long championed the idea of strong, self-reliant states within a truly federal India.
Joining Justice Joseph on the panel are M Ashok Vardhan Shetty, a seasoned retired IAS officer, and Professor M Naganathan, one-time Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission. Their mission? To trace the arc of autonomy from its historic legislative roots to its relevance in a modern-day constitutional framework that, Stalin argues, is under siege.
The announcement was strategically timed—fifty years after the iconic State Autonomy Resolution was introduced in the Assembly by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. But this isn’t just about paying tribute to history. The timing coincides with rising tensions between Tamil Nadu and the Centre: unresolved fund disbursements, repeated interventions by the Governor, and federal agencies casting long shadows over state-run entities like TASMAC.
The Supreme Court recently criticized Governor RN Ravi for dragging his feet on multiple bills passed by the Tamil Nadu legislature, suggesting his actions may have been influenced by factors outside the constitutional playbook. That critique has only sharpened the state’s pushback against what it sees as creeping central overreach.
Referencing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of a balance between the Union and the States, Stalin underscored the gravity of the current moment. “A strong Union is not built by weakening States. It is built by empowering them,” he declared, emphasizing that Tamil Nadu is once again ready to lead the call for a more balanced federal structure.
This isn’t just another committee—it’s a political statement wrapped in legal robes, and the rest of India will be watching.
