Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Jan 6: Tensions escalated in the Tamil Nadu Assembly as governor RN Ravi walked out without delivering his customary address on the first day of the winter session, accusing the state assembly of ‘disrespecting’ the national anthem. The controversy erupted when the assembly played the Tamil state anthem, Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, before the national anthem, a practice that the governor claimed was a violation of constitutional duty.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Raj Bhavan stated that governor Ravi made a ‘fervent appeal’ to Chief Minister M K Stalin and speaker M Appavu, requesting the national anthem be played first. However, according to the Raj Bhavan, this appeal was ‘cussedly refused,’ leading to the governor leaving the house in deep anguish, stating his action was in protest against what he deemed a ‘brazen disrespect’ to the constitution and the national anthem.

Slogans and disruptions rock the assembly

The legislative session was marred by heated exchanges and slogans from both the ruling DMK-led INDIA bloc and opposition AIADMK members. The disruptions stemmed from a controversial incident involving the alleged sexual assault of a female student at Chennai’s Anna University. The ruling bloc demanded the governor, as chancellor of state universities, take responsibility for lapses that led to the incident, while opposition MLAs raised counter-slogans demanding the arrest of those allegedly connected to the main accused.

Amidst the chaos, the governor again called for the national anthem to be played. Instead, the state anthem was sung, prompting his walkout. Alleging further disrespect, Ravi claimed the assembly's actions were an insult to both the national anthem and the constitution.

Opposition walkout, speaker defends convention

In response to the governor's actions, Congress MLAs, led by state chief Selvaperunthagai, staged a walkout in protest. Meanwhile, speaker M Appavu ordered marshals to evict AIADMK members and proceed with reading the governor’s address. The speaker defended the assembly’s practice, stating that it had become a convention to play the state anthem before the national anthem.
A history of strained relations

This incident is the latest in a series of strained relations between the DMK-led state government and the governor’s office. In February 2024, governor Ravi had refused to read his inaugural address due to disagreements over certain portions, eventually staging a walkout. The assembly later adopted a resolution to endorse the government’s version of the address. Similarly, in January 2023, tensions flared when Ravi walked out after chief minister Stalin disapproved of his decision to skip certain portions of the Governor's address.

The growing rift between the governor and the Tamil Nadu government has sparked widespread debate, with both sides continuing to assert their positions over constitutional practices and political authority.