Tamil Nadu Governor Skips Reading DMK Prepared Customary Address Again; Know Why

Chennai: In another episode of his ongoing tussle with the DMK administration in Tamil Nadu, Governor RN Ravi abruptly concluded his address on the opening day of the Legislative Assembly session on Monday, saying it contained numerous passages with which he disagreed on factual and moral grounds.

He also criticised the regime for what he perceived as a lack of respect for the national anthem.

During his inaugural address to the House for the year, Ravi mentioned that his repeated requests and counsel to the state government regarding the proper observance of the national anthem, including playing it at the commencement and conclusion of the address, have been disregarded.

The Governor said the address has numerous messages with which he “convincingly disagree, on factual and moral grounds”.  “…I lending my voice to them would constitute a constitutional travesty. Hence, with respect to the house, I conclude my address. Wish this house a productive and healthy discussion for the good of the people…”

The Governor then walked out in a huff without waiting for the national anthem at the end of the speech as senior DMK Minister Durai Murugan moved a resolution to not record his remarks and it was adopted.

It was a repeat of 2023 when dramatic scenes had played out during the Governor’s address when he skipped portions of the government prepared customary address in the Assembly.  The portions he skipped included the term “Dravidian Model” of governance and references to stalwarts held in great esteem in the state, including EV Ramaswamy (Periyar), Dr BR Ambedkar and former chief ministers, Kamraj, C Annadurai and M Karunanidhi.

The tussle had also reached Rashtrapati Bhavan with Chief Minister Stalin writing to President Droupadi Murmu last year, seeking Ravi’s removal from the top post.

Notably, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, recently, also concluded his customary address within a couple of minutes, opting to read out only the final paragraph.