News Tamil Nadu

Alleged Journo & DMK Buttresser Arvind Gunasekar Twists Facts To Defend DMK Govt Not Following SOP Of National Anthem, Exposes Constitutional Ignorance

January 7, 2025
The Commune

In yet another display of selective outrage and ill-informed commentary, a leftist scribe who is also a DMK-buttressing alleged journalist, Arvind Gunasekar, weighed in on the controversy surrounding Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s walkout from the Assembly over not playing the national anthem on 6 January 2025. Instead of shedding light on the issue, Gunasekar’s statements reveal a glaring lack of understanding about constitutional hierarchy, protocol, and history. Let’s dissect his claims and expose the underlying ignorance.

What Happened

The controversy began when the Tamil Nadu Assembly, following its usual practice, sang the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu (the Tamil Nadu state song) at the start of the session. However, the National Anthem was conspicuously omitted at the beginning and only scheduled for the end, contrary to established protocol.

Governor RN Ravi, citing this as disrespect to the National Anthem, walked out in protest after his request for adherence to constitutional propriety was ignored.

In a statement on the official X handle, the Governor’s office wrote, “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 Duty as enshrined in our Constitution. It is sung in all the state legislatures at the beginning and the end of Governor’s address. Today on arrival of Governor to the House only Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was sung. Governor respectfully reminded the House of its Constitutional Duty. He fervently appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister who is the Leader of the House and the Hon’ble Speaker for singing 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, Governor in deep anguish left the House.”

Rather than addressing this blatant disregard for protocol, Gunasekar attempted to mislead his audience with half-baked arguments and a complete distortion of facts.

Gunasekar’s Absurd Claims

Like a true foot soldier of the ruling DMK, Arvind Gunasekar tried to chime in with his “expertise” stating, “Speaker is the sole custodian of the Assembly, not the Governor. Tamil Nadu Assembly did not say that it will not sing National Anthem, instead, ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ was sung in the beginning and National Anthem at the end. This has been the usual practice in the State. Both the State song and National Anthem were given due respect. Governor taking exception to the State Song being sung in the beginning is nothing but a ruse, Governor wanted to boycott the customary address prepared by the State Government. Our Constitution rests the power on the elected, not the nominated Governors. Governor cannot prepare his / her own speech to deliver in the Assembly. Another unwarranted confrontation by TN Governor.”

For a “journalist” who is a JNU alum (as per his X bio), we thought we would school him on the facts. Here are the statements made by Arvind Gunasekar and their rebuttals.

“Speaker is the sole custodian of the Assembly, not the Governor.”

Gunasekar conveniently overlooks the fact that the Governor represents the Union and is the constitutional head of the state. While the Speaker presides over Assembly proceedings, it is the Governor who inaugurates sessions with a customary address and ensures adherence to constitutional principles.

By dismissing the Governor’s role, Gunasekar displays his ignorance of the delicate balance of power between elected representatives and constitutional authorities.

“Tamil Nadu Assembly did not say it will not sing the National Anthem; instead, both songs were sung.”

This is a red herring. The issue is not the inclusion of Tamil Thai Vaazhthu but the deliberate omission of the National Anthem at the beginning, as mandated by protocol.

The Governor did not object to the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu but merely reminded the Assembly of its duty to respect the National Anthem. Gunasekar’s attempt to paint this as an attack on Tamil identity is both dishonest and divisive.

“Our Constitution rests the power on the elected, not the nominated Governors.”

While Governors are appointed, their authority stems directly from the Constitution, making them an integral part of the state machinery. Gunasekar’s assertion trivializes the role of Governors, who act as custodians of the Constitution and ensure that state governments do not overstep their bounds.

“The Governor wanted to boycott the customary address.”

Far from boycotting, the Governor was compelled to leave because his repeated requests for protocol adherence were ignored. This walkout was a principled stand against a state government intent on undermining national symbols.

The Historical Context Gunasekar Ignored

In his eagerness to defend the Tamil Nadu government, Gunasekar conveniently omits crucial historical facts:

The National Anthem Protocol

The tradition of singing the National Anthem at both the beginning and end of Assembly sessions is not new. It is a long-standing practice in legislatures across the country, reflecting respect for the nation and its Constitution.

The Introduction of Tamil Thai Vaazhthu

Contrary to Gunasekar’s implication, the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu was not always part of Assembly proceedings. It was introduced in 1991 by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, making it a relatively recent addition. While the state song is a cherished tradition, it cannot replace or supersede the National Anthem.

Repeated Disrespect by the DMK Government

The DMK-led government has consistently ignored the Governor’s requests to include the National Anthem, from 2022 to the present day. This pattern of defiance underscores a deliberate agenda rather than an oversight.

Gunasekar’s Selective Outrage

Gunasekar’s commentary reeks of selective outrage and intellectual dishonesty. His attempt to frame the Governor’s protest as an attack on Tamil identity is not only baseless but also divisive. By conflating respect for the National Anthem with an alleged disdain for Tamil culture, Gunasekar exposes his bias and inability to engage with facts.

Moreover, his silence on the DMK government’s repeated disregard for national symbols is telling. Had a similar incident occurred in another context, one wonders if his response would have been as dismissive.

Arvind Gunasekar’s ill-informed tirade is emblematic of a broader trend among certain commentators who prioritize ideological loyalty over truth. In this case, he has chosen to defend a government that blatantly disrespects national symbols, all while misrepresenting the facts and undermining the constitutional role of the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly’s repeated disregard for the National Anthem is not a trivial issue. It strikes at the very heart of our constitutional values and national identity. As a journalist, Gunasekar should have upheld these principles instead of pandering to partisan agendas.

Unfortunately, his ignorance and bias only serve to deepen divisions and distract from the real issues at hand. For someone who claims to champion progressive values, it is ironic that Gunasekar’s words betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the Constitution he pretends to defend.

The respect accorded to the National Anthem is not optional—it is a duty enshrined in the Constitution. Any attempt to undermine this principle, whether by state governments or journalists like Arvind Gunasekar, must be called out and condemned unequivocally.

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