For the second time, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has grabbed headlines by walking out of the State Assembly session, courting controversy over the playing of the National Anthem. This incident occurred during the opening day of the Tamil Nadu budget session for 2024-25, as Speaker M Appavu’s remarks on historical figures Savarkar and Godse drew the Governor’s ire.
Governor RN Ravi expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the National Anthem, accusing them of disrespect. He reiterated his stance that the anthem should be played at the beginning and end of the session, a request he claims was ignored by the government.
Moreover, Governor Ravi refused to deliver the address prepared for him by the State Government, citing disagreements with numerous passages on “factual and moral grounds.” He deemed reading the address a “constitutional travesty” and opted instead to deliver only the opening paragraph, which included a Thirukkural couplet.
The Governor’s address, which he chose not to read, criticised the Central Government’s policies, mainly regarding the GST compensation regime, Metro Rail fund allocation, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. Notably, Tamil Nadu was declared unwilling to implement the CAA.
In response to Governor Ravi’s actions, Speaker Appavu made pointed remarks, asserting the dignity and importance of the Tamil Nadu Legislature. He asserted the State’s disappointment with the Central Government’s inadequate response to natural disasters, such as the recent cyclone-triggered flood, and urged the Governor to take action, suggesting utilising funds from the PM CARES Fund.
Following Speaker Appavu’s remarks, Governor Ravi staged a walkout from the Assembly session, protesting the Speaker’s statements and leaving even before the National Anthem was played.
This incident echoes a similar confrontation from the previous year’s assembly session when Governor Ravi walked out over discrepancies in the speech copy prepared by the State Government, illustrating ongoing tensions between the Governor’s office and the ruling party in Tamil Nadu.
