Need for southern unity has never been greater: T.N. CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin calls for unity against threats like Hindi imposition, criticizes RBI for ATM charges.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday (March 30, 2025) said the need for unity among south Indian states has never been greater, in the face of “growing linguistic and political threats” such as “Hindi imposition” and delimitation.

“We must come together and defeat every attempt to undermine our rights and identity,” Mr. Stalin said in a social media post, while extending Ugadi greetings to “Telugu and Kannada speaking Dravidian sisters and brothers”. He wished Ugadi kindled the spirit of resistance and solidarity that “binds us together”.

In another social media post, Mr. Stalin criticised the Reserve Bank of India for allowing banks to charge up to ₹23 for ATM withdrawals beyond monthly free transaction limit. “This will make people withdraw more than they need and in particular, negate the objectives of financial inclusion of poor,” Mr. Stalin said.

Beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, who were “already starved of funds and the poor who benefit from our Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai cash transfers would be the ones who would be hit the hardest, Mr. Stalin contended.

“This is not digitisation. It is institutionalised extraction. The poor swipe, the rich smile,” Mr. Stalin charged. Recalling how the Union government urged everyone to open bank accounts, he pointed out, “then came demonetisation”.

He further explained: “What followed? Charges on digital transactions, penalties for low balances and now the RBI has allowed banks to charge up to ₹23 for ATM withdrawals beyond the monthly limit.”

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India permitted banks to increase charges on ATM cash withdrawals beyond the free monthly usage by ₹2 to ₹23 per transaction from May 1.