Tamil Nadu Governor Storms Out of Assembly for Fourth Consecutive Year
For the fourth year in a row, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi walked out of the state Legislative Assembly without delivering his customary inaugural address. This dramatic exit happened on Tuesday, moments after the state anthem 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' was played. The Governor left before the National Anthem could begin or any part of his official speech could be read.
Immediate Fallout and Conflicting Claims
Within minutes of Governor Ravi storming out, his office issued a sharply worded press release. The statement alleged that his microphone was repeatedly switched off and he was not allowed to speak. It further claimed the address prepared by the state government contained unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements, making it impossible for the Governor to deliver.
Almost simultaneously inside the Assembly, Chief Minister M K Stalin moved a resolution condemning the Governor's actions. Speaker M Appavu endorsed this move and proceeded to read the Tamil version of the prepared Governor's Address. The entire sequence unfolded rapidly, with the Governor's convoy still en route to Raj Bhavan when the condemnation began.
Contentious Issues in the Prepared Address
The Governor's office raised specific objections to the content of the speech drafted by the state Cabinet. These included:
- Questioning inflated investment figures, particularly a claim of Rs 12 lakh crore worth of MoUs
- Ignoring what it called an alarming rise in sexual violence cases
- Overlooking drug abuse among youth and related suicides
- Failing to address Dalit atrocities adequately
- Not mentioning administrative apathy in education, local governance, temple management, and MSME sectors
The statement specifically noted, "Over 2,000 mostly youth committed suicide in one year due to drug abuse." It added that Tamil Nadu was being referred to as the suicide capital of India and such concerns were casually bypassed in the government-prepared speech.
Ongoing Protocol Dispute Over National Anthem
The immediate trigger for this year's disruption centered on the National Anthem, continuing a pattern from previous years. Governor Ravi has consistently insisted on playing the National Anthem both before and after his address. This contradicts the Assembly's convention since 1992, where 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' opens proceedings and the National Anthem concludes them.
This protocol disagreement has repeatedly led to confrontations. In 2023, Ravi left after Stalin objected to his selective omissions from the address. In 2024, he read just the first paragraph before exiting. Last year, he cited deep anguish over what he described as an insult to the Constitution and National Anthem.
This year, Raj Bhavan's statement echoed similar sentiments, claiming, "National Anthem is yet again insulted and the fundamental constitutional duty disregarded."
Political Reactions and Broader Context
The walkout occurred in the presence of Opposition AIADMK members, who staged their own protest led by Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami. They raised concerns about alleged law and order failures in the state.
Inside the House, Speaker Appavu urged the Governor to respect Assembly rules and conventions. These require the Governor to read the speech approved by the Cabinet without alteration.
Governor Ravi's tenure since September 2021 has been marked by repeated confrontations with the Stalin-led government. Key points of contention include:
- Withholding assent to Bills passed by the Assembly
- Refusing to swear in elected MLAs
- Delaying appointments of vice chancellors to state universities
The state government has approached the Supreme Court against the Governor's actions or inaction in at least three cases since 2023.
Election Positioning and Federalism Debate
The DMK leadership, including Chief Minister Stalin, has increasingly portrayed Governor Ravi as a proxy of the BJP-led Union government. This positioning aims to frame the 2026 state election as a battle between Tamil Nadu and Delhi, invoking themes of federalism and Dravidian self-respect.
Interestingly, Stalin has made unusual requests to the Centre not to transfer Ravi. The Chief Minister suggests that the Governor's continued presence actually strengthens the DMK's ideological messaging about central interference in state affairs.
This latest confrontation deepens the already fraught relationship between Raj Bhavan and the DMK-led government. It highlights ongoing tensions in India's federal structure while setting the stage for continued political battles in Tamil Nadu.
