Chennai, January 20 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Tuesday walked out of the State Legislative Assembly without delivering the customary address on the opening day of the first session of the year, triggering sharp political reactions and protests inside the House.
Governor Ravi arrived at the Assembly to address the House in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and leaders from multiple political parties. However, a disagreement arose over protocol when the Governor insisted that the National Anthem be played after the Tamil Anthem. Speaker M. Appavu declined the request, following which the Governor exited the House without reading the inaugural address.
This marks the third consecutive year that Governor Ravi has skipped the customary address. He also refrained from delivering the address in 2024 and 2025. Last year, he staged a similar walkout, citing the absence of the National Anthem at the beginning of his address.
Subsequently, Raj Bhavan issued a press release outlining the reasons behind the Governor’s decision. According to the statement, the Governor’s microphone was “repeatedly switched off” and he was not permitted to speak. The release further alleged that critical issues such as the rising atrocities against Dalits and sexual violence against Dalit women were “completely bypassed” in the prepared speech.
The statement also accused the Assembly of insulting the National Anthem, claiming that a “Fundamental Constitutional Duty” was disregarded.
The incident led to dramatic scenes inside the Assembly, with opposition AIADMK members staging protests. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin termed the Governor’s actions as “disrespectful” to the democratic process.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended birthday greetings to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu. “Warm birthday greetings to Shri M. Appavu, Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. May you be blessed with good health, happiness, and a long life,” Birla posted on X.
The recurring standoff between the Raj Bhavan and the Tamil Nadu government has once again brought constitutional propriety and Centre-State relations into sharp focus. (ANI)
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