In a landmark step to uphold federalism, Tamil Nadu has formed a high-level committee, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, to revisit the concept of State autonomy in contemporary India.
TAMIL NADU: In a significant move aimed at reaffirming the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution, the Tamil Nadu government has constituted a high-level committee to study and revisit the concept of State autonomy in contemporary India. The committee will be chaired by Justice Kurian Joseph, former judge of the Supreme Court of India.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on April 16, 2025, through a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The committee also includes Mr. M. Ashok Vardhan Shetty, a distinguished retired IAS officer, and Professor M. Naganathan, the former Vice Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission.
Highlighting the historical importance of the move, CM Stalin linked the formation of the committee to the golden jubilee of the State Autonomy Resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 50 years ago under the leadership of Thalaivar Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi).
“As we mark fifty years since the historic resolution on State autonomy was passed in this very Assembly, we have formed a High-Level Committee to revisit and reassert the principles of State autonomy in today’s context,”
Stalin said.
He stressed that the idea of federalism must be protected, especially in the face of increasing centralization by the Union government.
“A strong Union is not built by weakening the States, but by empowering them. Once again, Tamil Nadu rises to lead this call,”
he asserted.
Background and Context
The formation of this committee comes amid a series of recent tensions between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre. These include allegations of the Governor’s interference in State affairs, delays in gubernatorial assent to legislation passed by the State Assembly, and financial constraints allegedly imposed by the Centre, including the refusal to release State funds.
The situation escalated further when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) premises, which the ruling party in Tamil Nadu criticized as politically motivated.
Adding to the constitutional crisis, the Supreme Court recently criticized Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for keeping several State bills pending for unreasonably long durations. Referring to its earlier ruling in the Punjab Governor’s case (November 2023), the apex court held that such delays are contrary to the constitutional scheme and may be influenced by “extraneous considerations”.
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Reasserting Constitutional Federalism
CM Stalin, quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, emphasized the constitutional balance between the Union and the States.
“Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar unequivocally stated that ‘both the Union and the States are created by the Constitution… the one is not subordinate to the other in its own field.’ Yet, the steady encroachment of the Union into the rightful domains of the States has disrupted the delicate constitutional balance.”
By appointing a committee of eminent individuals—representing legal, administrative, and policy expertise—Tamil Nadu aims to formulate recommendations that can serve as a roadmap for strengthening State autonomy within the federal structure of India.
This move is seen as both symbolic and strategic, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s historical role in advocating for decentralization, State rights, and cooperative federalism.
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