Proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Tuesday after Governor R N Ravi walked out of the House, alleging that the National Anthem was insulted during the opening of the session. The incident triggered sharp reactions from the ruling DMK and further deepened the ongoing standoff between Raj Bhavan and the state government.
The Governor arrived at the Assembly to deliver his customary address at the start of the session but exited the House within minutes without reading the speech prepared by the government. According to sources at Raj Bhavan, Ravi objected to the manner in which proceedings were conducted, claiming that the National Anthem was not accorded due respect and that his microphone was switched off while he attempted to speak.
In a statement later, the Governor’s office said the failure to play the National Anthem at what it described as an appropriate moment amounted to a violation of constitutional values and fundamental duties. It also alleged that the address prepared by the government contained “misleading and factually incorrect” assertions, which the Governor was unwilling to endorse.
The Tamil Nadu government, however, rejected the allegations, stating that the Assembly followed long-standing convention by playing ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’, the state anthem, at the beginning of the session. Government sources said the National Anthem is traditionally played at the end of proceedings, and accused the Governor of deliberately creating a controversy.
Chief Minister M K Stalin criticised the Governor’s conduct, calling the walkout unnecessary and politically motivated. He said the Assembly had acted strictly in accordance with established practice and accused Ravi of repeatedly disregarding constitutional conventions and the will of the elected government.
Despite the walkout, the Assembly continued its business, with the Governor’s address being tabled in printed form. Members from the ruling DMK and opposition parties engaged in heated exchanges over the incident, reflecting the tense political atmosphere in the state.
This is not the first confrontation between Governor Ravi and the DMK government. The two sides have clashed earlier over issues ranging from the Governor’s role in legislative matters to differences over protocol and symbolism. Observers say the latest episode underscores the growing friction in Centre–state relations and raises fresh questions about the limits of gubernatorial authority within India’s federal structure.
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