Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's bold move to establish a high-level panel to examine and safeguard the rights and autonomy of Indian states has reignited the ongoing debate around federalism in the country. The announcement, made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday under Rule 110, is being seen as a direct response to what Stalin described as the Union government’s systematic encroachment on the constitutional powers of state governments.
The newly formed panel will be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph and includes two former senior civil servants—Ashok Shetty and Mu Nagarajan. With a strong legal and administrative background, the committee has been mandated to undertake comprehensive research, analyse key areas where state powers have eroded over time, and recommend measures to restore the rightful legislative and administrative authority of state governments. The interim report is due by January 2026, while the final report, expected within two years, will likely play a crucial role in shaping future policy and political discourse on federal governance in India.
In his detailed address, Stalin took aim at several contentious issues to illustrate the Centre’s increasing control over subjects that were traditionally the domain of states. These included the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the National Education Policy (NEP), and the Goods and Services Tax (GST)—all of which, he argued, undermine the state’s legislative freedom and its ability to address local concerns. The Chief Minister emphasized that the growing centralisation is not just an attack on Tamil Nadu’s autonomy but poses a larger threat to the federal fabric of India.
Particularly scathing was Stalin’s criticism of NEET, which he blamed for causing distress among students and families across the state. "We have lost many young lives due to the pressure and injustice of the NEET exam," he said, reiterating the DMK government’s consistent stand against the exam. He also lambasted the National Education Policy, calling it an instrument of cultural homogenization and linguistic imposition. According to Stalin, the NEP promotes a Hindi-dominant framework in the name of a three-language formula, which is incompatible with the linguistic and cultural identity of Tamil Nadu.
Further raising the stakes, the Chief Minister accused the Union government of deliberately withholding Rs 2,500 crore in educational funds as punishment for Tamil Nadu’s refusal to adopt the NEP. He described this as a “punitive and authoritarian” tactic that penalises states for asserting their constitutional rights.
Stalin’s announcement is not just a defensive measure but a strategic political move that could resonate with other non-BJP ruled states concerned about the erosion of state powers. By emphasizing that the panel’s purpose is to “protect the rights of all states, including Tamil Nadu,” he is clearly positioning Tamil Nadu as a leader in the pushback against central overreach.
This development is expected to have long-term implications. The recommendations of the high-level committee, once published, may serve as a roadmap for legislative and judicial advocacy across India. It may also pave the way for a more coordinated inter-state alliance to seek amendments or clarifications on Centre-state relations, particularly in areas like education, health, taxation, and language policy.
In essence, the creation of this committee could mark the beginning of a broader political movement calling for a rebalancing of power between the Union and the states, with Tamil Nadu at the forefront of that call.
