‘People Now Think Of Raising 16 Children’: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Flags Concern Over Lok Sabha Delimitation

Tamil Nadu's CM Stalin suggests that the Lok Sabha delimitation process could encourage families to have more children, highlighting the shift from preferring small families to larger ones.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday suggested that the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise could encourage families to have more children. He was speaking at a ceremony where he solemnised the marriages of 31 couples, organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. Stalin alluded to a traditional Tamil blessing, “pathinarum petru peru vazhvu vazhga,” which means "acquire 16 different kinds of wealth and lead a prosperous life," while addressing the implications of the delimitation process that will reshape India's electoral map.

According to news agency PTI, reflecting on the Tamil saying, Stalin explained, “In the past, elders used to bless newly married couples to acquire 16 kinds of wealth, including fame, education, lineage, and wealth—not to have 16 children.” He noted that over time, the perception has shifted towards preferring smaller families for prosperity. However, he highlighted that the upcoming changes in Parliament's delimitation may influence couples to reconsider having fewer children. “The Parliament delimitation process may encourage couples to have many children and give up thoughts of a small family. But whatever be the outcome, provide Tamil names to your children,” Stalin remarked.

The remark encouraging Tamil names for children comes amid yet latest flare-up on the 'Hindi imposition' row as last week Stalin questioned Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for trying to "impose Hindi everywhere".

Addressing concerns over the long-pending Lok Sabha delimitation, he said, “That blessing doesn't mean beget 16 children… now a situation has arisen where people think they should literally raise 16 children and not a small and prosperous family.”

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin Says DMK Govt 'Policy Is Not Against Temples'

Stalin also praised the achievements of the HR&CE Department, which has renovated 2,226 temples and performed consecration ceremonies in the last three years. Additionally, renovation work has been completed in 10,238 temples, and the department has successfully reclaimed 7,069 acres of temple land, valued at Rs 6,792 crore, from encroachments.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to temple management, Stalin countered allegations of anti-temple policies, saying, “Our policy is not against temples, but our aim is not to allow temples to become a den for criminals.” He referenced a famous dialogue from the Tamil film Parasakthi, written by his father, the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, to emphasise his point.

Stalin further mentioned that the state government has won favourable court verdicts concerning the appointment of priests of all castes in temples, chanting of Tamil hymns, and conducting consecration ceremonies in Tamil. He stressed that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government's governance model, termed as the “Dravidian model,” is grounded in equality and respects all religions.

The event was attended by Tamil Nadu ministers P.K. Sekar Babu and K. Ponmudy, Chennai Mayor R. Priya, and other officials.