The High-Level Committee meeting of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) was held today, Wednesday, 25.09.2024, at 10:00 AM, at the party headquarters, Thaayagam, under the chairmanship of Party Presidium Chairman, Auditor A. Arjunaraj.
The meeting was attended by General Secretary Mr. Vaiko, MP; Treasurer Mr. M. Senthilathiban; Principal Secretary Mr. Durai Vaiko, MP; Deputy General Secretaries Mallai C.A. Sathya, Senji A.K. Mani, Aadurai Murugan, D.M. Rajendran, Dr. Rohaiya, alon
Resolution No. 1
Regarding “One Nation, One Election”
The Union Cabinet has approved, on 18 September, the recommendations of the High-Level Committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, constituted to study the proposal of “One Nation, One Election.”
The Union Government claims that “One Nation, One Election” is a major step towards electoral reforms. According to the committee’s recommendations, implementing this scheme in India would require two major Constitutional amendments, specifically amendments to Articles 83 and 172 of the Constitution.
However, the BJP currently holds only 240 seats in the Lok Sabha, and the government depends on the support of its alliance partners to maintain a majority. Therefore, implementing this proposal will not be easy.
Conducting “One Nation, One Election” within India’s constitutional framework is not feasible, as it goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. To hold Parliamentary and Assembly elections simultaneously, State Legislative Assemblies whose terms have not ended would have to be dissolved prematurely.
Elections to State Legislative Assemblies fall under the State List (Seventh Schedule) of the Constitution. While State Governments currently have the right to dissolve their Assemblies, the “One Nation, One Election” scheme would take away this right from the States and place it under the control of the Union Government.
The Supreme Court, in the Kesavananda Bharati case, has clearly stated that while the Constitution may be amended, its basic structure cannot be altered.
Therefore, the MDMK strongly urges the Union Government to abandon the impractical “One Nation, One Election” scheme.
Resolution No. 2
On the Protection of Tamil Nadu Fishermen
Tamil Nadu fishermen, while engaging in fishing activities within Indian maritime boundaries, are repeatedly being attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy, and their boats and fishing equipment are being seized.
The continued arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the confiscation and nationalization of their boats, and the imposition of heavy fines under Sri Lanka’s fisheries laws must be stopped.
The MDMK High-Level Committee urges the Government of India to take firm steps with the newly formed government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sri Lanka to safeguard the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen, secure the release of all arrested fishermen, and ensure the cancellation of fines and prison sentences imposed by Sri Lankan courts.
Resolution No. 3
On the Rights of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka
Due to the systematic genocide carried out by the Sinhala state, hundreds of thousands of Tamils in Sri Lanka were killed. Even today, the Eelam Tamil people have not recovered from these devastating impacts—having lost their homes, properties, loved ones, and livelihoods.
There is an ongoing attempt to erase Tamil identity by renaming Tamil villages with Sinhala names, settling Sinhala populations in Tamil areas, constructing Buddhist viharas, and encouraging military-backed settlements. Lands taken from Tamils have not been returned; instead, they are being handed over to Sinhala settlers, amounting to a deliberate conspiracy to destroy Tamil culture.
In this context, the JVP-led alliance has come to power, with Anura Kumara Dissanayake assuming office as President. The past actions of the JVP, which has historically refused to recognize the political sovereignty of Eelam Tamils, have been hostile to Tamil aspirations.
The MDMK urges the Government of India to take appropriate measures to ensure the protection of the political rights and right to life of Eelam Tamils under the newly formed Sri Lankan government.
Resolution No. 4
On the Dissolution of the Standing Committee on Statistics and Census Delay
The Union Government had constituted a 14-member Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) on 13 July 2023, headed by economist and former Chief Statistician Pranab Sen, to advise on census methodology and statistical tools.
The Union Government has now dissolved the committee, citing overlapping responsibilities with the Census Steering Committee, as communicated via email by the Director of the National Sample Survey Office.
Members of the committee have indicated that repeated discussions regarding delays in the Economic Survey and the Population Census, which has been postponed for over a decade, may have contributed to the committee’s dissolution.
Pranab Sen has stated that no proper reason was given for dissolving the committee and that the government was repeatedly questioned about why the census had still not been conducted.
The committee was dissolved without consultation, even with its Chairperson, raising serious concerns. The continued delay of the 2021 Census has adversely affected welfare schemes, education planning, budgetary allocations, and future delimitation exercises, which must be based on updated census data.
There is growing demand for a caste-based census to ensure proper implementation of social justice. The deliberate delay of the census by dissolving the Standing Committee is unacceptable.
The MDMK High-Level Committee demands that the Union Government immediately commence the population census.
Resolution No. 5
On Industrial Growth and Investment in Tamil Nadu
Over the past three years, Tamil Nadu has attracted ₹9.74 lakh crore in investments, generating employment for 31 lakh people. The Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurated projects worth ₹17,614 crore, creating 64,968 jobs, and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹51,157 crore, which will generate 41,835 jobs.
To further attract investments, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin undertook an official visit to the United States on August 27. During meetings with 25 companies over 17 days, 19 MoUs worth ₹7,618 crore were signed, creating 11,516 jobs. Notably, Ford Motor Company has agreed to resume operations in Tamil Nadu.
The MDMK congratulates the Tamil Nadu Government for its proactive efforts in promoting industrial growth and employment.
Resolution No. 6
On Governor R.N. Ravi’s Remarks on Secularism
Governor R.N. Ravi, speaking at a convocation of the Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham in Thiruvattar, stated that secularism is a European concept and not required for India.
Secularism, democracy, and linguistic federalism are values born out of India’s freedom struggle. Though the word “secular” was added to the Constitution during the Emergency, the entire Constitution is founded on secularism, federalism, and democracy.
Governor R.N. Ravi, who emerged from the RSS ideology, has repeatedly spoken against secularism. His remarks amount to an attack on the Constitution, and he is unfit to continue in the post of Governor. The MDMK demands that the President of India immediately remove him from office.
Resolution No. 7
On the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, 1995
The BJP-led Union Government has introduced the Waqf Act (Amendment) Bill, 1995, with the intention of dismantling the constitutional rights of minorities.
Waqf properties were donated by Muslim rulers and philanthropists for religious, educational, and charitable purposes. The proposed amendments—nearly 40 changes—aim to seize 7,85,934 Waqf properties nationwide, undermine Muslim religious rights guaranteed under Article 25, and hand control to district collectors and non-Muslims.
These amendments facilitate the confiscation of Waqf properties and represent a deliberate attempt to marginalize Muslims and convert them into second-class citizens. The MDMK strongly condemns this fascist move and urges Chief Ministers Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar not to support the RSS–BJP agenda that threatens India’s pluralism and communal harmony.
Head Office
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
“Thaayagam”
Chennai – 8
25.09.2024