TN Governor RN Ravi Slams CM Stalin's 'Childish' Remarks Amid National Anthem Row, Warns Against 'Arrogance'

Criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for his "childish" remarks amid the National Anthem controversy, Governor RN Ravi has stated that "such arrogance is not good" and cautioned that the nation would not tolerate such "brazen insult" to the anthem and the Constitution.

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu and the Raj Bhavan have been at odds after the Governor walked out of the Assembly on January 6, protesting the absence of the National Anthem at the start of his address.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to the tradition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the state anthem 'Tamil Thai Valthu' is sung when the House convenes, with the National Anthem performed at the conclusion. However, Governor Ravi has opposed this practice, insisting that the National Anthem should be sung on both occasions.

"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. It is sung in all the state legislatures at the beginning and the end of the Governor's address," the Raj Bhavan stated following the Governor's walkout.

"Today, on the arrival of the Governor to the House, only 'Tamil Thai Valthu' was sung. The Governor respectfully reminded the House of its Constitutional Duty and fervently appealed to the Hon'ble Chief Minister, who is the Leader of the House, and the Hon'ble Speaker to sing the National Anthem. However, they cussedly refused. It is a matter of grave concern. Not to be a party to such brazen disrespect to the Constitution and the National Anthem, the Governor, in deep anguish, left the House," the Raj Bhavan added.

Shortly after, Chief Minister MK Stalin remarked on X that the Governor had made it a habit to flout the Assembly's traditions and described his actions as "childish".

"According to the Constitution, it is a tradition of legislative democracy for the state governor to read the government's address at the beginning of the year! He has made it his custom to violate it. It is childish that the governor, who has cut out what was there and added what was not, has gone without reading it this time," he said, referring to sections omitted by the Governor in previous Assembly speeches.

Reiterating his stance, the DMK chief told the House, "The Governor comes to the Assembly but returns without addressing the House. That's why I had said his actions were childish.

"I think the Governor is unable to digest the fact that Tamil Nadu is developing. I may be an ordinary person, but this Legislative Assembly came into existence due to the sentiments of crores of people," Stalin added, emphasising that the Assembly "should not witness such incidents again".

Responding sharply, the Raj Bhavan's official account posted on X, "Thiru @mkstalin asserts that insisting on due respect to the National Anthem and performing fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution is 'absurd' and 'childish.' Thanks for betraying the true intentions of the coalition of interests and ideologies to which he is a leader that does not accept and respect Bharat as a nation and Her Constitution."

"Such arrogance is not good. Please do not forget that Bharat is the supreme Mother and the Constitution the supreme faith for her children. They will not like or tolerate such brazen insult," it further stated.

The relationship between Governor Ravi and the MK Stalin government has remained strained since Ravi's appointment in 2021. The DMK government has accused him of acting as a BJP spokesperson and obstructing Bills and appointments. The Governor, on the other hand, has argued that the Constitution grants him the authority to withhold assent to legislation. The ongoing dispute has also reached the Supreme Court and the Rashtrapati Bhavan.