News Tamil Nadu

BJP Seeks Governor’s Approval To Prosecute Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin For Derogatory Remarks

October 26, 2024
The Commune

On 24 October 2024, Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary A Ashvathaman formally requested permission from Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to initiate criminal proceedings against Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. In a letter submitted to the Governor, he contends that their derogatory remarks about the governor violate laws on public order and the respect owed to constitutional offices, referencing specific sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Ashvathaman, via his X official account, stated that he “Met the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri R.N Ravi ji (@rajbhavan_tn) requesting Sanction permission under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 218 to initiate the Criminal Proceedings against the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin (@mkstalin) and the Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin (@Udhaystalin).“

The correspondence addressed to the Governor sated, “I am inclined to request you for Sanctioning permission under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 218 (Prosecution of Judges and Public Servants) to initiate the criminal proceedings against the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K.Stalin and the Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for their derogatory, racist comments against your Highness, reproaching the Constitutional Post honoured by the Constitution of India.”

“Recently Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin has stated in his tweet “ He is a Governor? Or an Aryan? Removing the word Dravidian and chanting the Tamil Thai Anthem is against the law of Tamil Nadu! A person who does not act according to the law and acts according to his will is not fit to hold that office. In the guise of celebrating Hindi, the governor is insulting the unity of the country and the people of different races living in this land! Will the governor who suffers from Dravidian allergy ask to sing the National Anthem without the word ‘Dravidiam’? The Central Government should immediately recall the governor who is deliberately insulting Tamil Nadu and the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu!”. the letter stated.

“A year ago, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin has made a derogatory speech reproaching your Highness and the video is being shared on social media widely now by the Dravidian Ideology people now. Here, in that video, Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statements are as follows: “Governor Mr. RN Ravi. How arrogant? How much cholesterol/fat does he have? I am asking to you Mr Governor, ‘Who are you?’ What authority do you have? I am asking you Governor, ‘Who are you?’ Are you a People’s Representative? You are just a Post Man. Just delivering the things shared by our Chief Minister to the Union Government is only your job. You are just a Post Man. If we give respect, you are going beyond that and taking too much advantage. I am challenging you. He is not RN Ravi, hereafter he is RSS Ravi. Go and tell your ideology to our Tamil People. They will give slipper shots to you”. the correspondence further stated.

“Those above statements create Cognizance under offences that demand initiation of Criminal Proceedings, particularly on, 151 (Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain exercise of any lawful power) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other sections 192 (Want only giving provocation with intent to cause riot – if rioting be committed; if not committed), 196 (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 353 (2) (Statements conducting to public mischief), 356 (Defamation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). There is a pre-requisite condition under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 218 to obtain sanction from your office for the initiation of criminal proceedings Since they hold public posts i.e. CM, Deputy CM.” the correspondence finally read.

Background

The controversy erupted during the Hindi Month valedictory function at Doordarshan Kendra in Chennai, where the singers mistakenly omitted the line “Thekkanamum adhil sirantha Dravida nal thiru naadum,” which translates to “the great Dravidian nation in the Deccan,” from the state anthem.

Chief Minister MK Stalin swiftly condemned this omission and wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He argued that celebrating Hindi Month in non-Hindi-speaking states is perceived as diminishing other languages and suggested that such events should be discontinued. Instead, he advocated for promoting local language months in their respective states.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, via his official X account, stated, “I strongly condemn the celebration of Hindi Month valedictory function along with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Chennai Doordarshan. Hon’ble @PMOIndia, The Constitution of India does not grant national language status to any language. In a multilingual nation, celebrating Hindi Month in non-Hindi speaking states is seen as an attempt to belittle other languages.”

“Therefore, I suggest that holding such Hindi-oriented events in non-Hindi speaking states could be avoided, and instead, the celebration of the local language month in the respective states should be encouraged.”

 

However, Stalin’s criticisms extended beyond the valedictory celebration of Hindi month; he also accused Governor RN Ravi of removing the term “Dravidian” from the anthem under the pretext of celebrating Hindi.

Describing the governor as having a “Dravidian allergy,” Stalin called for his recall, claiming he had “deliberately insulted” the people of Tamil Nadu.

In another post, Chief Minister MK Stalin stated, “Is he Governor? or Aryan? Removing the word Dravidian and reciting Tamil Thai anthem is against the law of Tamil Nadu! A person who acts according to his will and not act according to the law is not fit to hold that office. In the guise of celebrating Hindi, the governor is insulting the unity of the country and the people of different races living in this land!”

“Will the governor, who suffers from Dravidian allergy, leave out Dravidian in the national anthem? The Union Government should immediately recall the Governor who is deliberately insulting Tamil Nadu and the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu!” He further added.

Governor Ravi’s Reaction To CM Stalin’s Remarks

This accusation did not sit well with Governor Ravi, who retorted that Stalin’s comments were “unfortunately cheap” and argued that such accusations “lower the dignity” of the constitutional office of the Chief Minister. He stated that domestic and international forces seek to obstruct the country’s progress.

Governor RN Ravi stated, “Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. @mkstalin has issued a regrettable tweet this evening in which he made a racist remark against me and levelled false allegation of showing disrespect to Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu. He knows it well that I recite full Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu at every function and do so with reverence, pride and precision. He also knows that under leadership Hon’ble Prime Minister Thiru. @narendramodi the Central govt has proudly created several institutions for spread of Tamil language and heritage within India including Tamil Nadu and several countries of the world. #PMModi took Tamil even to the United Nations.”

Emphasizing his own efforts Ravi stated, “As a proud Indian I myself have taken numerous substantive initiatives to spread Tamil, the oldest and richest living language, in other states of the country, the latest being to set up, with cooperation of the Assam govt, a Tamil diploma course in Gauhati University for spread of Tamil in the North East.”

In a final blow to the DMK’s agenda, Ravi stated, “Making racist remark and alleging incorrect imputations against governor by the chief minister is unfortunately cheap and lowers the dignity of the high constitutional office of the chief minister. Since he rushed to public with his racist remarks and false imputations I am constrained to respond.” – Governor Ravi.”

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