Yet another instance of disrespect to the national anthem occurred at the Tamil Nadu Assembly today with Governor RN Ravi walking out over this issue on 6 January 2024.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi left the Assembly without delivering his customary address, citing the absence of the National Anthem after the Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the reason. Despite his insistence, the National Anthem was not played, prompting his departure just three minutes into the session.
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.”
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…
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) January 6, 2025
Following the Governor’s departure, Speaker M. Appavu read out the Governor’s speech. The session saw further disruptions, with AIADMK members holding placards and raising slogans demanding justice for a student sexually assaulted at Anna University. Congress members staged a walkout in protest against the Governor’s actions.
Not The First Time
The issue of not playing the National Anthem in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has been a recurring point of contention between the Governor and the state government. On multiple occasions, Governor R.N. Ravi has expressed his disappointment over the failure to include the National Anthem at the beginning and end of Assembly sessions.
2024
During the first session of 2024, the Governor noted with regret that his repeated requests to play the anthem were ignored. He refused to read the address prepared by the state government, citing strong disagreements on factual and moral grounds. Instead, he concluded his brief address with wishes for productive discussions and respect for Tamil Nadu and India.
2023
This pattern was also evident during the 2023 winter session, where Raj Bhavan requested changes to the Governor’s speech, including respect for the National Anthem. However, the state government did not respond. The session saw protests from DMK allies, who disrupted the Governor’s speech with slogans and demonstrations, further straining relations.
2022
In 2022, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi revealed that the DMK government refused to play the National Anthem in the Assembly, despite his insistence. Before his first address to the Assembly that year, Governor Ravi was informed that the National Anthem was not part of the session’s proceedings. He explicitly requested that it be played at the beginning and end of the session, alongside the Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The request was communicated to Speaker Appavu and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and the Governor even sent a formal letter reiterating his appeal. However, the National Anthem was not played, disregarding the Governor’s insistence.
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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