At the “Legally Speaking” event organized by NewsX , Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram delved into the topic “Delimitation: Does India Need More MPs in Parliament?” He shared his candid views on issues ranging from representation to economic challenges, highlighting the need for pragmatic reforms rather than superficial expansions.
Karti Chidambaram criticized the divisive nature of debates centered around religion, urging a shift in focus to pressing economic issues.
“Why should religion even matter?” he questioned. “We should be addressing the lack of opportunities and economic growth rather than fixating on one’s faith, which is a private matter. Conversations centered on religion serve no practical purpose in advancing India’s development.”
“Personally, I don’t identify with any caste, but I see no harm in conducting a census. Collecting data is not the issue—it’s how that data is used that matters. A census by itself is neutral; it’s the actions taken afterward that require scrutiny.”
Using a light-hearted analogy, he explained, “As someone over six feet tall, I struggle with legroom in Parliament and on flights. But just because I face this inconvenience doesn’t mean airlines or Parliament will introduce broader seats. Similarly, a census isn’t inherently a solution—it’s a starting point.”
