Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has been at loggerheads with Governor R N Ravi over a number of issues. Even the Supreme Court had to intervene, and rebuked the Governor for refusing to swear in a minister.
Now, a fresh controversy has erupted, as a result of which Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday urged the Union government to immediately recall Governor Ravi for insulting the state and sentiments of its people.
The row is over the omission of the word ‘Dravida’ from the state anthem ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ which was recited during the Hindi Month Valedictory function in Chennai recently.
Stalin slammed the Governor for the omission, alleging that he suffers from a ‘Dravidian allergy’.
The Governor’s office denied Stalin’s allegation, saying that Ravi was only attending the function, and the troupe reciting the state anthem inadvertently skipped the word ‘Dravida’.
“It is hereby clarified that Hon’ble Governor participated in the Hindi Month Valedictory function & Commemoration of Doordarshan Chennai Golden Jubilee Celebration held at Chepauk, Chennai organised by Doordarshan Chennai. At the beginning of programme the troupe which recited the Thamizhthaai Vaazhthu inadvertently missed a line which consisted of the word ‘Dravida’. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of organisers and appropriate authorities are asked to look into the matter,” the Governor’s media advisor Thirugnana Sambandam stated in a post on X on Friday.
The CM earlier was scathing in his criticism of the Governor.
“Governor? Are you an Aryan? Removing the word Dravidian and chanting Tamil Thai greetings is against the law of Tamil Nadu! A person who does not go according to the law and acts according to his will is not fit to hold that office. In the guise of celebrating India, the Governor is insulting the unity of the country and the people of different races living in this land.” Stalin said.
“Will the Governor who suffers from Dravidian allergy ask them to leave out Dravidian in the national anthem? The Union Government should immediately recall the Governor who is deliberately insulting Tamil Nadu and the sentiments of the people of the state,” added the fuming CM.