Chennai, April 15 -- Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday announced a state-wide black flag agitation on April 16 against the proposed delimitation exercise and warned the Centre of consequences and a "heavy price" if it did not heed to Tamil Nadu's voice.
Stalin, the president of the ruling DMK, after chairing an emergency meeting of party MPs and party district secretaries through video conference on the subject of delimitation said, "the sword that hung over our heads has now descended upon us."
The DMK is reaching out to MPs across states and devising a coordinated strategy to counter this "grave danger", he said.
In a statement, Stalin alleged the delimitation amendment the Union BJP government planned to bring in the Parliament on Thursday was a "massive, historic injustice" against Tamil Nadu and the southern states.
He asked if the delimitation exercise, which would allegedly be against southern states, was a "punishment for contributing to India's progress."
"Is this how Tamil Nadu and the southern states are repaid," he asked.
Naturally, every south Indian, south of the Vindhyas is seething with anger, he claimed.
"The BJP is playing with fire. Across Tamil Nadu, black flags will rise from homes and public spaces tomorrow (April 16) in protest against delimitation."
If the Union government refused to respect Tamil Nadu's voice and step back, it will face the consequences.
"The price you will pay will be heavy," the chief minister warned. This was not only in his capacity as the president of the DMK, but above all as a "self-respecting Tamil," was his stern warning. DMK chief added: "This is not about parties or individuals. It is about protecting the rights of our people."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.