For more than five decades, Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of demands for state autonomy and a more equitable distribution of powers between the Union and the states. The Justice Kurian Joseph Committee, constituted by the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government to examine Union–state relations, was the latest institutional effort to advance that demand.But the actor-turned-politician Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s decision to discontinue the committee before it could complete its work has raised questions about the future of Tamil Nadu’s federalist politics.The decision has raised questions about the ideological consistency of the TVK, which had declared the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) its political opponent and pledged to uphold state autonomy. By disbanding a Kurian Joseph committee, has the Vijay-led government retreated from its stated commitment to federalism? And is it seeking to avoid a confrontation with the BJP-led Union government?Why did the government discontinue the committee? Can the state Law Commission carry forward its work? And what does the decision mean for Tamil Nadu’s decades-old demand for state autonomy?Tamil Nadu’s long fight for state autonomyTamil Nadu’s demand for a more equitable distribution of powers has its roots in the Dravidian movement. In 1967, the DMK ended Congress rule in the state, bringing C.N. Annadurai to power. His successor, M. Karunanidhi, who became the chief minister in 1969, took the demand for state rights further.Karunanidhi argued that state governments, being closer to the people, needed greater powers to address their everyday needs. Within months of assuming office, he constituted a committee headed by Justice P.V. Rajamannar, former chief justice of the Madras high court, to examine the distribution of powers between the Union and the states. It was the first comprehensive initiative of its kind by a state government.Also read: Home, Distance, and Democracy: A Personal Reading of Tamil Nadu’s Defining ElectionThe Rajamannar Committee examined legislative, administrative and financial relations, among other subjects. It recommended that the Union retain only four major areas – defence, foreign affairs, currency and international trade, while most other subjects, including education, health and agriculture, should be transferred to the states.Drawing on its recommendations, Karunanidhi moved a State Autonomy Resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on April 16, 1974. Responding to criticism that state autonomy could threaten national unity, Karunanidhi maintained that a more equitable distribution of powers would strengthen and not divide the country.The Union government later constituted the Sarkaria Commission in 1983 and the Punchhi Commission in 2007 to examine Union–state relations. Yet, disputes over centralisation have persisted.Concerns over GST revenues, centralised examinations such as NEET, the powers of state governors and delays in granting assent to bills passed by state legislatures have sharpened tensions between the Union and several states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal.The Kurian Joseph Committee’s federalism blueprintAgainst this backdrop, former chief minister M.K. Stalin constituted a committee in April 2025, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, to examine Union–state relations and the constitutional framework governing the distribution of powers.The committee comprised Justice Kurian Joseph, former IAS officer K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty and M. Naganathan, former vice-chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission. It examined the constitution, debates in the Constituent Assembly, Supreme Court judgments and recommendations of previous commissions. It also organised a national seminar on relations between the Union government and state government on August 23, 2025, and sought inputs from experts.The committee submitted its first report to the state government on February 16. Spanning ten chapters, it proposed constitutional and administrative reforms to strengthen India’s federal structure.Among its key recommendations were:Constitutional amendments: Make state ratification mandatory for most constitutional amendments, requiring approval from at least two-thirds of states representing two-thirds of India’s population.State boundaries: Require the consent of the concerned state before parliament alters its boundaries or divides it.Governor’s powers: Set strict timelines, including a 15-day deadline, for gubernatorial assent to bills passed by state legislatures.Language rights: Strengthen constitutional protection for linguistic diversity, expand the Eighth Schedule and oppose linguistic uniformity.Delimitation: Extend the freeze on interstate Lok Sabha seat allocation based on the 1971 Census until 2126, or until fertility rates across states converge within a specified range, whichever is earlier.Elections and education: Oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’, strengthen state election commissions and return education and medical education to the State List, including removing NEET for state-run institutions.Fiscal and health autonomy: Restructure the GST Council to strengthen states’ decision-making powers and give them greater control over public health and centrally sponsored schemes.The recommendations sought to address several longstanding concerns of states over the concentration of legislative, administrative and financial powers at the Union level. The report was praised by Union ministers, constitutional experts, former judges, senior advocates and political leaders from other states, according to the committee’s supporters.Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin (fourth from right) with members of a committee set up in April 2025 to examine Union–state relations and the constitutional framework governing the distribution of powers. To Stalin’s right is retired Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, who headed the committee. Photo: Social media.However, the committee’s work was cut short before it could submit its second report.Why did the TVK government discontinue the committee?After assuming power, the TVK government decided to discontinue the panel, triggering criticism from political parties and supporters of state autonomy.The government has defended the decision on administrative grounds. Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said the Union–state relations agenda would be taken up by the reconstituted Tamil Nadu State Law Commission. He also cited consultations with experts and the resignation of committee member M. Naganathan on May 4.Also read: As Vijay’s TVK Govt Completes a Month, Questions Remain About Fulfilment of Poll Promises, Basic Governance IssuesReconstituted through a government order on August 7, the State Law Commission has a mandate that includes examining Union–state and interstate relations. The government maintains that a separate committee is therefore unnecessary.The August 7, 2026 government order that mandates the State Law Commission to examine Union–state and interstate relations. The government now maintains that a separate committee is unnecessary.But the decision raises questions about whether a general-purpose Law Commission can replace a specialised panel headed by a former Supreme Court judge, particularly when its second report remains unfinished. Will the committee’s research, expertise and recommendations receive the same priority under the new arrangement?TVK’s commitment to state autonomy under scrutinyState autonomy was part of TVK’s political position even before the party came to power. At its first state-level conference in Vikravandi, Villupuram district, on October 27, 2024, the party described state autonomy as a fundamental right of the people of each state and pledged to reclaim those rights.The decision to discontinue the Kurian Joseph Committee has now raised questions about the gap between that declaration and the government’s actions. For a party that has positioned itself as an alternative to the established Dravidian parties while pledging to reclaim state rights, its decision to discontinue the committee has raised questions about the consistency of its political position on federalism.Also read: ‘Timing Raises Serious Suspicion’: M.K. Stalin Takes on Centre’s Move to Bulldoze DelimitationStalin has also condemned the decision in a post on X, accusing the TVK government of damaging Tamil Nadu’s reputation as a leading voice for state rights, for “petty politics”.He praised the work of Justice Kurian Joseph, K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty and Dr. M. Naganathan, arguing that the committee’s work could not simply be replicated by another panel. “The TVK government will forever bear the shame of having disbanded it midway,” he wrote.மாநில உரிமைகள் என்றாலே தமிழ்நாடு என்று இந்திய அளவில் நமக்கு இருக்கும் பெருமையை அற்ப அரசியலுக்காகச் சிதைத்திருக்கிறது த.வெ.க. அரசு!இந்தியா முழுவதிலும் இருந்து அறிவார்ந்த ஆன்றோர்கள் தெரிவித்து வரும் கண்டனங்களே த.வெ.க.வின் இழிவான அரசியலை அம்பலப்படுத்திவிட்டன.நீதியரசர் குரியன் ஜோசப் அவர்களும், திரு. அஷோக் வர்தன் ஷெட்டி அவர்களும், பேரா. மு. நாகநாதன் அவர்களும் மேற்கொண்ட பணியில் யாரும் குறைகாணவும் முடியாது, அதனை வேறு எவரைக் கொண்டும் நிறைவுசெய்யவும் முடியாது.இத்தகைய சிறப்பான பெருமக்கள் கொண்ட குழுவை அமைத்த பெருமை எனக்கு எப்போதும் இருக்கும், இதனைப் பாதியில் கலைத்த சிறுமைதான் த.வெ.க. அரசின் மேல் காலத்துக்கும் நிலைக்கும்!The TVK government has damaged Tamil Nadu’s proud reputation as India’s leading voice for State rights, all for petty politics!The condemnation from eminent voices across India has exposed the TVK government’s disgraceful politics.No one can find fault with the remarkable work of Justice Kurian Joseph, Thiru. Ashok Vardhan Shetty and Prof. M. Naganathan. Nor can anyone else replace them and complete the work they began.I will always be proud of having constituted such a distinguished Committee. The TVK government will forever bear the shame of having disbanded it midway!#StateRights #Federalism— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 9, 2026‘A committee that rattled the BJP’Of the three members of the Kurian Joseph Committee, one was Dr. M. Naganathan. The Wire attempted to contact him but could not reach him. His son, Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan, a former MLA and secretary of the DMK doctors wing, spoke to The Wire.Ezhilan questioned the government’s explanation that the committee was discontinued because it was a non-statutory body. He pointed out that the State Law Commission was also constituted through an executive order.“The recommendations of the Kurian Joseph Committee have unsettled right-wing political forces, particularly the BJP-led Union government. Through ideas such as ‘One Nation, One Election’, the BJP seeks to concentrate power while weakening states,” he said.Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan, a former MLA and secretary of the DMK doctors wing. Photo: Facebook.“TVK described the BJP as its ideological opponent and declared state autonomy one of its principles. Yet, it is now acting in contradiction to that position. CM Vijay does not want to antagonise the BJP. The government has acted at the BJP’s behest, purely for political considerations,” he said.“Centre–state relations involve a wide range of issues, including finances, education, agriculture and maritime resources. To suggest that a State Law Commission can adequately take up all this work is absurd. By abandoning state autonomy out of fear of the BJP and corporate Hindutva interests, the TVK government has surrendered Tamil Nadu’s rights,” he said.When The Wire asked why his father had resigned from the committee, Ezhilan said Dr. M. Naganathan anticipated that the TVK government would obstruct its work after coming to power.“My father believed that the government would not understand the importance of the committee and would obstruct its work. He therefore resigned when it became clear that TVK was likely to form the government. He does not wish to speak further about the matter,” Ezhilan said.‘TVK has thrown its principles aside’Parandhaman, joint secretary of the DMK’s legal wing, alleged that the BJP leadership in Delhi had influenced the TVK government’s decision.“The BJP at the Centre controls the TVK government in Tamil Nadu. Whenever the party has to take important decisions, it seeks instructions from the BJP leadership in Delhi. The decision to discontinue this committee was no different. The government acted on the BJP leadership’s directions.Also read: Federalism as a Principle of Accommodation: The Challenge to Indian Federalism“Vijay’s party declared the BJP its ideological opponent. Yet, the TVK government has not criticised the BJP. It appears afraid even to mention the party’s name. The decision to discontinue the Kurian Joseph Committee was a deliberate political move,” he alleged.‘Why sacrifice state rights for political considerations?’The decision has also drawn criticism from parties that supported the TVK government, including the Left parties. Many opposition leaders say that the the BJP has been systematically taking away the powers of states, which make the recommendations of the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee “extremely important”.“They are intended to safeguard not just Tamil Nadu but all the States in India. It is deeply regrettable that the Tamil Nadu government has dissolved such an important committee,” said P. Shanmugam, Tamil Nadu state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He questioned whether such an important committee should be dismantled simply because it had been constituted by the DMK government.P. Shanmugam, Tamil Nadu state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Photo: Facebook.“It is unfortunate that the TVK government has discontinued such an important committee simply because it was constituted by the DMK. Its members brought considerable expertise and worked hard to produce the first report. Disbanding it before the work was complete is unacceptable.”He said that the present Tamil Nadu government had not adequately explained how the State Law Commission would take over its work or protect the rights of states.“Discontinuing an institution established in the interest of the state merely because it was set up by a previous government is not justified. The TVK government must reconsider its decision,” he told The Wire. He also said that there was a deeper politics at play behind the decision.“The BJP is increasingly exploiting the powers of states governed by parties with an ideological opposition to it. Using its excessive powers at the Union, it is attempting to undermine and weaken the states,” he said.‘A most unfortunate decision’Senior journalist N. Ram, former editor-in-chief and director of the Hindu Group, told The Wire that the decision was “most unfortunate”.“The Kurian Joseph Committee was doing very important work. Its first report was excellent. This was a distinguished committee functioning under the leadership of a former judge. The TVK government has discontinued it without any valid reason. This committee’s work went beyond political considerations. Its discontinuation suggests that the TVK government does not have a serious commitment to state autonomy,” he said.N. Ram, former editor-in-chief and director of the Hindu Group. Photo: Facebook.The Wire made several attempts to seek a response from Tamil Nadu Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, contacting him by phone and sending messages via WhatsApp and SMS. However, he did not respond. The Wire also contacted TVK spokesperson Vigneshwaran by phone but he did not respond.This article will be updated with their responses whenever they are received.The question now is whether the State Law Commission will genuinely carry forward the Kurian Joseph Committee’s unfinished work, or whether Tamil Nadu’s demand for greater state autonomy will lose institutional momentum under the TVK government.For a party that pledged to reclaim state rights, its decision to discontinue the committee has created a test of political consistency.Prasanth Shanmugasundaram is a multimedia journalist based in Tamil Nadu.