New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Tuesday chose not to deliver the customary address to the State Assembly, walking out shortly after proceedings began. The decision followed his assertion that the National Anthem was disrespected when the Tamil anthem was played at the start of the session. A statement issued from Raj Bhavan said the National Anthem had once again been insulted and that a fundamental constitutional duty was disregarded.
According to the Governor’s office, the situation inside the House deteriorated when he was allegedly prevented from speaking, with claims that his microphone was repeatedly switched off. Ravi offered a brief greeting in Tamil before leaving the Assembly, bringing the opening session to an abrupt halt. The episode has further sharpened tensions between the Governor and the DMK government led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, just months ahead of the state Assembly elections.
Under established protocol, the Governor’s address traditionally outlines the government’s priorities and achievements. However, the Raj Bhavan statement said the prepared speech contained several unsubstantiated and misleading claims while ignoring pressing issues affecting the public. It questioned official assertions about large-scale investments, stating that many memoranda of understanding had not translated into actual projects and that the state’s attractiveness to foreign investors had declined in recent years.
The Governor also linked his walkout to concerns over women’s safety, pointing to a sharp rise in crimes, including cases under the POCSO Act and incidents of sexual harassment. He further flagged the growing problem of narcotics and substance abuse among youth, alleging that the issue was being treated casually.
Other issues highlighted included rising atrocities against Dalits, increasing cases of sexual violence against Dalit women, and a high number of suicides reported annually in the state. The statement described the situation as alarming and said it reflected administrative neglect.
Ravi also criticised what he described as declining education standards and mismanagement of educational institutions. He noted that thousands of village panchayats remain defunct due to delayed elections, denying citizens grassroots democratic rights. In addition, he raised concerns about temples being run directly by the state without trustees and the lack of implementation of court directions. Stress faced by MSMEs and the migration of entrepreneurs to other states were also cited.
The walkout underscores a deepening institutional standoff between Raj Bhavan and the elected government, adding a new flashpoint to Tamil Nadu’s charged political landscape.
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