‘Brazen disrespect to Constitution, national anthem’: Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi walks out of assembly without reading speech

‘Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu’ and the national anthem have again become a flashpoint between Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and the Tamil Nadu government, with the former walking out of the maiden assembly session of the year on Monday. Ravi accused the DMK government of brazenly disrespecting the National Anthem and Constitution.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly convened on Monday for the first session in 2025 and as per custom, the session was scheduled to begin with the governor’s speech. Though Ravi reached the assembly, he left immediately, allegedly after the assembly speaker and chief minister refused to play the national anthem before his speech, despite his request.

In a statement posted on X, the Raj Bhavan stated, “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.”

Explaining the sequence of events, the governor’s office said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Speaker Appavu categorically refused Ravi’s request to play the national anthem ahead of his speech. “Today on arrival of Governor to the House only Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was sung. 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 for singing the National Anthem. However, they cussedly refused,” it said.

The governor left the house not to be party to “brazen disrespect”. “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.”

Condemning the behaviour, Minister Durai Murugan moved a resolution against Governor Ravi. The resolution was unanimously passed by the house.

This isn’t the first time Governor Ravi has clashed with the state government over the conduct of business in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Last year, Ravi refused to read his customary speech saying he “disagrees with numerous passages in the speech on moral and factual grounds”. 

Ravi raised the national anthem issue last year as well and while concluding his speech last year, he said, “My repeated request and advice to show due respect to the national anthem and play it at the beginning and end of the address has been ignored. Wish this house a productive and healthy discussion for the good of the people.”