Amidst hectic poll campaign for the April 23r TN state Assembly polls, in tune with it opposing every action of BJP led Central government without understanding the issue or explanations, DMK held black flag protests in Tamil Nadu. DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin burnt the draft bill of the delimitation bill.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday (April 16, 2026) burnt a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a "black law" and alleged it seeks to make the Tamil people "refugees" in their own land.https://t.co/mF88dCCEuu pic.twitter.com/QJCnitqkcy
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) April 16, 2026
After issuing a stern and final warning to the Prime Minister Modi a couple of days ago, Stalin raised a black flag and burned a copy of the delimitation bill in Namakkal where he was seeking votes for DMK led ally. It was to show protest against the proposed delimitation bill ahead of tabling it in Parliament special session that commenced today.
DMK had given a call to hold protest across the state by hoisting black flags and burning the bill copies. He has appealed to cadres and allies to hoist black flags in their houses and commercial establishments for three days starting from 16th to register their protest. Accordingly, black flag was hoisted first at the Gopalapuram residence of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Stalin in a post in X said “protest will bring down the BJP government adding let the flame of resistance spread across Tamil Nadu. Let the arrogance of the fascist BJP be brought down”.
This issue echoed in Parliament. Reacting to their wearing black shirts in the house PM Modi and Speaker made comments. When DMK MPs came wearing black clothes to oppose the Women’s Reservation Bill. PM Modi thanked them for being the “kala tika” of the auspicious event of passing this bill
Next level trolling by PM Modi 😂
DMK MPs came wearing black clothes to oppose the Women’s Reservation Bill.
PM Modi thanked them for being the “kala tika” of the auspicious event of passing this bill pic.twitter.com/rqemY7Yk9i
— Ankur Singh (@AnkurSingh) April 16, 2026
PM Modi assured “ I give guarantee that there will be no loss of seats to any state” “You tell me what word to use” Assurance or guarantee or if there is a word in Tamil, you tell me I will use it”.
🚨 MASSIVE STATEMENT by Prime Minister Narendra Modi —
"I give guarantee that there will be no loss of seats to any state"
"You tell me what word to use"
Assurance or guarantee or if there is a word in Tamil, you tell me I will use it."
India's best ever Prime Minister. https://t.co/YdHXkPj2mL pic.twitter.com/e0cc1TYuOH
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) April 16, 2026
Speaking in Lok Sabha on women’s reservation and delimitation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “The biggest narrative being created is that these three bills, the Constitution Amendment Bill, two laws on delimitation, and changes to the constituency election law, will harm the power of the South…” He said “Tamil Nadu has 49 seats, which is 7.18 per cent, After the passage of the bill, the number of MPs will be 59, and their percentage in the new House of 816 will be 7.23 per cent. Tamil Nadu will also suffer no loss”.
#WATCH | Speaking in Lok Sabha on women's reservation and delimitation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "The biggest narrative being created is that these three bills, the Constitution Amendment Bill, two laws on delimitation, and changes to the constituency election law,… pic.twitter.com/kv9bcJEL5E
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2026
He said “MISLEADING narratives are being spread about the 3 Bills. Claims of discrimination against southern states are INCORRECT. Southern representation will rise from 129 to 195 MPs.”
🗣️ HM Shah: “MISLEADING narratives are being spread about the 3 Bills. Claims of discrimination against southern states are INCORRECT. Southern representation will rise from 129 to 195 MPs.”
=> South today- 129 / 543 seats: 23.8%
=> After 50% increase- 195 / 816 seats: 23.9% pic.twitter.com/QPpAPsPUFe— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 16, 2026
When DMK MP TR Balu said CM Stalin hoisted a black flag and burnt the draft bill at Namakkal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said “what difference it makes if he raises black or blue or yellow colour flag. Why are you mentioning this in the House”
ஓம் பிர்லா🔥
தொகுதி மறுவறைய எதிர்த்து எங்க ஸ்டாலின் கருப்பு கொடி ஏத்திருக்காரு – டி.ஆர்.பாலு
நீங்க கருப்பு கொடி, மஞ்சள் கொடி எதாவது ஏத்துங்க அதுக்கும் இந்த அவைக்கும் என்னயா சம்பந்தம்😂 pic.twitter.com/EBd7kNgGhQ
— Bagavath Pratheep (@Bagavathprathee) April 16, 2026
BJP leader BL Santhosh in a post in X said “ or what reason @mkstalin & his @arivalayam are showing black flag & burning copy of #NariShaktiVandan Bill ….? Tamil Nadu will be getting 20 more LS members. Not only anti national & anti- democratic but also anti women to the core”.
For what reason @mkstalin & his @arivalayam are showing black flag & burning copy of #NariShaktiVandan Bill ….? Tamilnadu will be getting 20 more LS members . Not only anti national & anti democratic but also anti women to the core . pic.twitter.com/sNiyWejkkf
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) April 16, 2026
Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam in a post in X “This election is going to put an end to DMK’s anti national activities. Fomenting violence and staging suicide dramas. DMK is trying to election process. Election commission should take stern action against DMK to prevent DMK’s designs”.
திமுகவின் தேச விரோத செயலுக்கு தமிழக மக்கள் முற்றுப்புள்ளி வைக்கப்போகும் தேர்தல் இது. திமுக வன்முறையை தூண்டி, தற்கொலை நாடகங்களை நடத்தி தேர்தலை சீர்குலைக்க நடக்கும் நாடகத்தை தேர்தல் ஆணையம் கடுமையான நடவடிக்கை மூலம் தடுத்து நிறுத்த வேண்டும் – மாநிலத் தலைவர் காடேஸ்வரா சுப்பிரமணியம்… pic.twitter.com/UCCtdEMOP8
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) April 16, 2026
TN CM Stalin, in a video message, had cautioned the Centre against proceeding with delimitation in a manner that could adversely impact southern states.
#Delimitation: The sword that hung over our heads has now descended upon us.
In consultation with our DMK MPs, we are reaching out to Members of Parliament across states and devising a coordinated strategy to counter this grave danger.
This is not about parties or individuals.… pic.twitter.com/RnFvHKNfYC
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 15, 2026
Stalin has compared the current protest with the anti- Hindi agitation of the 1950s and 1960s. Then, the fire of resistance against Hindi imposition that rose from Tamil Nadu scorched in Delhi. It quietened only after Delhi was forced to accept our demands. Today, I have reignited that fire by burning the copy of this black law that seeks to turn Tamils into refugees in our own land”. He was confident that the fire this time would spread across the Dravidian land and will bring the BJP’s arrogance to its knees.
Critics points out “in 1987, DMK workers burnt the Constitution. When they had faced criminal prosecution under the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act, the retracted it by saying only burnt the paper containing typed parts of the Constitution related to Hindi and burning them”.
Citing another incident, critics said one of the DMK founder, C.N. Annadurai formally dropped the demand for a separate independent Dravida Nadu in 1962–1963, shifting to a stance of seeking autonomy within the Indian Union. He abandoned secessionism following the enactment of the Anti-Secession Act (16th Amendment) in 1963. it is their courage that TN has been witnessing. When CBI or ED conducts raids, they would go to Delhi and fall flat before the government to slow down or bury the case”.
He said “Tamil Nadu will launch a large-scale agitation if its interests were compromised or if the southern region faced disproportionate consequences. He also questioned the timing of the special session, noting that it coincides with Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal scheduled for April 23. Adding even if you choose to interpret it as a threat, we are not bothered… hon’ble PM, I repeat, this is the final warning issued to you from Tamil Nadu”.
