CHENNAI: The political conflict between Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister MK Stalin has reached new heights, with both sides exchanging sharp accusations over issues ranging from legislative procedures to cultural and constitutional practices. The friction, which has simmered since the DMK came to power, has now erupted into a full-blown war of words, with the roles of the Governor and the state’s executive under scrutiny.
The latest controversy unfolded on January 6, when Governor RN Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly without delivering the customary address. The incident stemmed from disagreements over the sequence of the Tamil anthem and the National Anthem, traditionally performed at the opening and closing of Assembly sessions. Governor Ravi insisted that the National Anthem should be sung on both occasions, a deviation from the state’s established practices.
Following his departure, Raj Bhavan issued a statement accusing the Assembly of disrespecting the Constitution and the National Anthem. “The Constitution of Bharat and the National Anthem were once again insulted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today. Respecting the National Anthem is among the first Fundamental Duties as enshrined in our Constitution,” the statement read. The Governor’s remarks triggered widespread reactions from the DMK and other political leaders in the state.
DMK’s Counterarguments
Chief Minister MK Stalin was quick to criticize the Governor, describing his actions as “childish” and “politically motivated.” Addressing the Assembly on January 12, Stalin said, “The Governor comes to the Assembly but returns without addressing the House. That’s why I had said that his actions were childish.” He accused the Governor of attempting to insult Tamil culture and the Tamil anthem, adding, “This House cannot bear to see the Governor acting with political motives, disregarding the dignity of this Assembly, and disrespecting the feelings of the people.”
The DMK’s organizing secretary, RS Bharati, also criticised the Governor, accusing him of insulting the Tamil anthem while failing to respect Tamil Nadu’s established legislative conventions. Bharati went further to allege that the Governor’s actions stemmed from an inability to accept Stalin’s growing reputation as “the best Chief Minister in the country.”
A History of Conflict
The friction between the DMK government and Governor Ravi is not new. The DMK has long called for the abolition of the Governor’s post, a sentiment famously articulated by DMK founder and former Chief Minister CN Annadurai, who once remarked, “There is no need for a beard for a goat nor a Governor for the States.”
Since coming to power, the DMK has repeatedly clashed with the Governor over various issues, including the delay in granting assent to Bills passed by the Assembly. The Governor, for his part, has argued that he is exercising his constitutional authority to withhold assent when necessary. The DMK has accused him of acting as a spokesperson for the BJP and obstructing governance in the state.
Freedom of Press Debate
Adding to the controversy, the Governor’s office took to social media to accuse the Tamil Nadu government of censoring Assembly proceedings. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Raj Bhavan alleged, “The total censorship of the Tamil Nadu State Assembly proceedings today reminds the country of the Emergency Days. The Constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right of freedom of the press was brazenly smothered.”
Total censorship of the proceedings of Tamil Nadu State Assembly today reminds the country of the Emergency Days. The people specially the brothers and sisters of Tamil Nadu were deprived of the actual proceedings of the House and conduct of their representatives therein and…
— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) January 6, 2025
Speaker M Appavu dismissed the Governor’s claims, stating that the allegations were baseless. According to the Speaker, there was no “live editing” of the Assembly proceedings, as such technology is not available. He also pointed out that in previous years, Doordarshan had filmed and distributed doctored footage of Assembly sessions, leading the state to restrict live streaming. “The Governor’s accusations are an attempt to mislead the public,” Appavu said.
DMK MP Kanimozhi joined the chorus of criticism, accusing Governor Ravi of lacking knowledge about Tamil Nadu’s traditions and legislative practices. She dismissed his objections as baseless, emphasizing that the National Anthem is always performed at the end of Assembly sessions. “We face no challenge from the Governor, who fails to respect the Tamil language,” she asserted.
In the latest escalation of the ongoing tussle between Tamil Nadu’s Governor RN Ravi and the DMK-led state government, the Governor broke his silence with a pointed response on social media platform X. Ravi accused Chief Minister MK Stalin and his coalition of showing blatant disrespect to the Constitution and the nation by dismissing his insistence on the National Anthem’s due respect. The Governor’s remarks came after CM Stalin termed his actions “absurd” and “childish.”
Ravi’s post on X read, “Thiru MK Stalin asserts that insisting on due respect for the National Anthem and following the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is ‘absurd’ and ‘childish.’ Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition you lead, one that does not accept or respect Bharat as a nation and Her Constitution. Such arrogance is not good. Let us not forget that Bharat is the supreme Mother, and the Constitution is the supreme faith for her children. They will not tolerate such brazen insults” .
DMK Responds with Counter-Accusations
Chief Minister Stalin, defending the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s practices, said the state follows the tradition of playing “Tamil Thai Vaazhthu” at the beginning of Assembly sessions and the National Anthem at the end. “The Governor insulted Tamil Thai Vaazhthu,” Stalin remarked, accusing Ravi of disrespecting Tamil Nadu’s traditions.
The conflict, however, appears to go deeper than protocol. Opposition leaders have alleged that the DMK is leveraging the Governor’s controversy as a diversionary tactic to shift attention away from critical issues, including the Anna University rape case, in which a high-profile figure is allegedly involved, and protests against Seeman’s controversial comments on Periyar’s legacy.
Governor’s Critics and Supporters Clash
Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai stepped up to defend the Governor, accusing the DMK of misusing the controversy to cover up governance failures. He said, “It has become customary for the DMK Government to divert public anger caused by their misgovernance and goondaism and blame the Governor of TN for pointing out the rules that must be followed”. He reiterated that the Governor’s call to play the National Anthem after Tamil Thai Vaazhthu was within protocol but was refused by the DMK government.
DMK’s platform speakers, on the other hand, have drawn widespread criticism for their inflammatory remarks against Governor Ravi. Notably, Shivaji Krishnamurthy, in 2023, publicly threatened violence against the Governor, saying, “If you (Governor) don’t read out the speech given by the Tamil Nadu government, then go to Kashmir, and we will send terrorists so that they will gun you down.” Similarly, DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi once suggested that DMK MLAs would have physically confronted the Governor had CM Stalin gestured approval.
The strained relationship between the DMK and the Tamil Nadu Governor’s office is not new. Governor Ravi’s decision to walk out of the Assembly in January 2023 after CM Stalin moved a resolution removing his additions to a government-prepared speech marked a flashpoint in their ongoing feud. This was met with vitriolic reactions from DMK leaders, further fueling tensions.
Stalin’s recent remarks accusing the Governor of “childish” behaviour and undermining Tamil Nadu’s development reflect the deepening divide. “The Governor comes to the Assembly but returns without addressing the House. That’s why I had said that his actions were childish,” Stalin said, accusing Ravi of dragging the dignity of the Assembly into political motives.
The BJP’s Narayana Thirupathy, criticising the DMK’s rhetoric, remarked, “It’s in DMK’s DNA to use foul and filthy language. Shivaji Krishnamurthy and RS Bharathi had abused Governor RN Ravi and said they’d kill him. We wonder if DMK has any links with terrorists.”
The Governor’s recent statement underscores his growing frustration with the disrespect he claims to face. He also expressed concern over the DMK’s handling of Assembly proceedings, alleging censorship and manipulation of the broadcast to present a doctored version of events.
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