Tamil Nadu Governor Exits Assembly, Claims CM Stalin and Speaker Ignored National Anthem Appeal
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Chennai, Jan 6 (NationPress) In a significant move, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi left the state Legislative Assembly right after the session started, expressing his discontent over the National Anthem not being performed in the House.
He reminded the Assembly of its constitutional obligation to sing the National Anthem and urged the Chief Minister to uphold this protocol. Instead, only the Thamizh Thai Vazhthu (the state song) was performed. According to a statement from Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan, the Constitution of India and the National Anthem faced disrespect once more in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
“Honoring the National Anthem ranks among the primary fundamental duties outlined in our Constitution. It is traditionally sung or played in Parliament at both the beginning and end of the President’s address. Likewise, it is performed in all state legislatures at the commencement and conclusion of the Governor’s address. Today, upon the Governor’s arrival, only the Thamizh Thai Vazhthu was sung,” the statement indicated.
The Governor respectfully reminded the Assembly of its constitutional responsibilities and earnestly appealed to the Chief Minister, who leads the House, and the Speaker to sing the National Anthem. However, the Assembly “stubbornly refused,” as per the Raj Bhavan. “Not wishing to partake in such blatant disregard for the Constitution and the National Anthem, the Governor, in deep distress, exited the House,” the statement further noted.
This event mirrors an incident from February 2024 when the Governor departed from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on the inaugural day of the session.
During that time, the Raj Bhavan remarked: “My repeated requests and advice to show due respect to the National Anthem and play it at the beginning and end of the address have been overlooked. This address contains several passages with which I fundamentally disagree on both factual and moral grounds. Lending my voice to them would amount to a constitutional travesty. Thus, with respect to the House, I conclude my address. I wish this House a fruitful and healthy discussion for the welfare of the people.”
The Governor had exited the Assembly without waiting for the customary rendition of the National Anthem.
In response to this situation, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu had stated on February 11, 2024, that “The National Anthem is played last (on the day of the Governor’s address),” referring to Tamil Nadu Assembly rules.
The discord between the Governor and the state administration is not a new phenomenon.
In January 2023, during the year’s first Assembly session, Governor R.N. Ravi left the House following a disagreement.
Tension arose when the Governor omitted a paragraph in his address that referenced national and regional luminaries and the “Dravidian Model of Governance.”
The omitted paragraph read: “Following the principles and ideals of stalwarts like Thanthai Periyar, Annal Ambedkar, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, Perarignar Anna, and Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar, this government has been delivering the much-acclaimed Dravidian Model of Governance to its citizens.”
This led to an unprecedented standoff between the Governor and the Tamil Nadu government, paving the way for recurring confrontations in the years to come.
