A Delimitation Red Flag – Lessons from J&K, Assam, Pg8

Challenges of Delimitation

• Delimitation aims to redraw legislative constituency boundaries based on population changes.
• Concerns: Could increase parliamentary seats in populous States while reducing Assembly seats in others.
• Rajya Sabha seats may be redistributed, impacting southern States already underrepresented in national politics.
• Zonal councils have not met since 2023 (except Western Zonal Council, Feb 2025).

Jammu & Kashmir: Political Impact

• New constituencies added in J&K favoured Jammu, despite its smaller electorate.
• Inclusion of Poonch-Rajouri in Anantnag LS seat creates administrative & geographic challenges.
• Assembly constituencies drawn on religious lines: Six new constituencies (e.g., Ramgarh, Doda West) Hindu-majority.
• Muslim-majority areas split (e.g., Kishtwar, Dooru, Surankote) to dilute their influence.

Assam: Lessons in Delimitation

• Delimitation merged 4 Assembly districts, reducing seats from 35 to 31.
• Tribal & Hindu-majority districts saw increased seats, while Muslim-majority areas saw division (e.g., Baghbar, Dhubri).
• Pattern of polarisation similar to J&K, altering voting power dynamics.

Concerns & Implications

• Danger of Polarisation:
  • Population-based delimitation could further marginalise minorities.
  • Pattern of communal division seen in J&K & Assam may repeat in 2026 national delimitation.
  • Majoritarian bias risks weakening democratic fairness.
• Impact on National Stability:
  • Could increase North-South divide in electoral representation.
  • Risks diluting secular & federal principles of India’s democracy.

Way Forward

• Ensure fair representation in delimitation based on governance needs, not just population.
• Safeguard regional & minority interests to prevent political marginalisation.
• Reinforce Zonal Councils & Inter-State coordination to manage power balance fairly.

Mains Mock Question: