CHENNAI: In yet another faceoff between the M K Stalin govt and Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavangovernor R N Ravi Monday walked out of the state assembly within three minutes of entering the House, and without reading the customary address, in protest of the national anthem not being played at the start of the first session of the House this year.
This is the third time in as many years when the governor has walked out of the House. Earlier, he had walked out twice in protest of Stalin’s request to the speaker that only the text drafted by his govt in the governor’s address should go on record. Ravi had digressed from the prepared text both times.
As is the custom, the Tamil anthem ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ was played in the House on the governor’s arrival at 9.30am Monday. However, Ravi wanted the national anthem to be played, which as per the custom is played at the end of the session.
Though Ravi spoke for about three minutes, the House passed a resolution that only the printed text of the governor’s address that was circulated to members would go on record. The governor was seen speaking about the national anthem. He soon walked out with his staff.
Minutes later, Raj Bhavan posted on X, “The Constitution of Bharat and the national anthem were once again insulted in the assembly today.” The live feed of the governor’s speech to TV channels was not provided, adding fuel to the fire.
On its part, DMK announced state-wide protests against the governor in all district headquarters.
