In a significant political development, leaders from various southern and eastern Indian states gathered in Chennai on Saturday for the first Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on “Fair Delimitation”, hosted by the Tamil Nadu government. The initiative, led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, aims to build consensus against the upcoming 2026 delimitation process, which critics argue could unfairly reduce the parliamentary representation of progressive states.

The meeting was attended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, and senior representatives from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik and former minister Sanjay Das Burma represented the BJD, while BRS’s working president K T Rama Rao led their delegation.

West Bengal’s ruling party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), was invited but chose not to send a representative. Andhra Pradesh, ruled by BJP ally Chandrababu Naidu, also abstained.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Stalin called the event “a historic day for Indian federalism,” stressing that states that have successfully controlled population growth and contributed to national development must not be penalised by a skewed delimitation policy.

The meeting’s agenda included demands to extend the current delimitation framework based on the 1971 Census for 30 more years beyond 2026, drafting resolutions against the proposed changes, exploring constitutional and legal remedies, and launching public awareness campaigns across concerned states.

“There is a deliberate attempt to silence our voices in Parliament,” Stalin said. “Fair delimitation is about our states’ rights, not just numbers.”

Leaders from attending states echoed this sentiment. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy framed the issue as one of federal equity, while Karnataka’s Shivakumar called for a non-partisan national dialogue. Although the TMC was absent, it has also expressed concern over the potential impact of the changes.

This marks a rare moment of cross-regional unity on a policy-driven issue, separate from electoral alliances. The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has taken the initiative forward since hosting an all-party meeting on March 5, where 58 political parties, excluding the BJP, pledged support for “fair delimitation.”

Although Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently assured that southern states would not lose any seats, the assurance was made at a public rally, not through an official parliamentary statement.

“This is not just a Tamil Nadu issue anymore,” Stalin said. “It is a national movement demanding fair representation and protection of federal values.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that India is on the verge of developing a complete indigenous anti-drone solution, which is expected to be operational within six months.

Speaking during a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Shah highlighted the government’s efforts to bolster national security through advanced technology and innovation.

“We are very close to achieving a complete anti-drone solution. We have conducted six successful experiments, and I am hopeful that within six months, we will have an indigenous anti-drone system, a true symbol of Make in India,” Shah said.

The Home Minister also emphasized the use of drones and modern technology in combating illegal activities, such as poppy cultivation. “We have utilized drones, satellites, and advanced technology to destroy opium cultivation. In the last five years, we have destroyed and disposed of 23,000 kg of synthetic drugs worth over ₹14,000 crore,” he stated.

Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to curbing drug trafficking, noting that drugs often enter India from Afghanistan and are routed through Gujarat to Sri Lanka. “We have pledged that no drugs will be allowed to enter or exit India. The money earned from the drug trade is often used to fund terrorism, and we will spare no one involved in such activities,” he asserted.

Zero tolerance for Terrorism and Naxalism

Addressing the issue of Naxalism, Shah declared that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and left-wing extremism. He expressed confidence that Naxalism would be eradicated in India by March 2026.

“By March 21, 2026, Naxalism will end in this country. The Modi government has taken decisive steps to address this challenge, which previous governments neglected,” Shah said.

He also highlighted the significant reduction in terrorism-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. “Article 370 was the root cause of separatism in Kashmir. The architects of our Constitution had envisioned a unified India, and the Modi government fulfilled this dream by abrogating Article 370,” Shah stated.

The Home Minister noted that the move has led to a 70% reduction in deaths due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, with zero incidents of stone-pelting reported in the valley. He also emphasized the establishment of grassroots democracy in the region through successful local body elections.

“Around 40,000 government jobs have been provided in Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 and 2024, and 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities have been created. Skilling clubs are also operational to empower the youth,” Shah added.

Progress in the Northeast

Shah also spoke about the significant progress made in the Northeast, describing the region as largely peaceful under the Modi government. “Since 2019, we have signed 19 peace accords, and around 10,000 militants have surrendered. A new era of development has been ushered in, bringing stability and growth to the region,” he said.

The Supreme Court moved swiftly on Friday to dispel what it termed “misinformation and rumours” swirling around an alleged discovery of a large cash stash at the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma following a fire.

In a statement, the apex court clarified that the proposed transfer of Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court was unrelated to an ongoing in-house enquiry, seeking to quash speculation that had gripped legal and political circles.

The court revealed that Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya had initiated an internal probe prior to the Supreme Court Collegium’s meeting on 20 March. This enquiry, aimed at gathering evidence and facts, was triggered after reports of the incident surfaced.

“The Chief Justice has been diligently collecting information, and a report will be submitted to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna today,” the statement noted. Once reviewed, the Supreme Court vowed to take “further and necessary” steps, hinting at a meticulous follow-up process.

The controversy erupted after a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s Lutyens Delhi residence late on 14 March. Delhi Fire Services Chief Atul Garg, speaking to PTI, provided a detailed account that contradicted the cash haul narrative.

“We received a call at 11.35 p.m. about a blaze, and two fire tenders were dispatched immediately,” Garg said. Arriving at 11.43 p.m., firefighters found flames confined to a storeroom filled with stationery and household items. “It took 15 minutes to extinguish the fire—no injuries were reported,” he added.

Garg was unequivocal about the absence of cash. “Our team found no money during the operation. After putting out the fire, we alerted the police and left the scene,” he stated, debunking claims that firefighters had stumbled upon a fortune.