Upon the Governor's arrival, only the state anthem, "Tamil Thai Vazhthu," was played, omitting the National Anthem, which is traditionally rendered at such events. Governor Ravi reportedly reminded Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Assembly Speaker M. Appavu of the constitutional duty to play the National Anthem. Despite his appeal, the anthem was not played, prompting the Governor to leave the assembly in protest. A statement from Raj Bhavan described the incident as a "brazen disrespect" to the Constitution and the National Anthem.
The DMK government has not issued an official response to the Governor's departure. However, the incident has sparked a political uproar, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to criticize the ruling administration. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a protest within the assembly, focusing on an unrelated issue concerning allegations of sexual assault at Anna University. The assembly session was marked by chaos, with multiple parties expressing dissent over various issues.
This event is the latest in a series of confrontations between Governor Ravi and the DMK government. Since his appointment in September 2021, Governor Ravi has been at odds with the state administration on several matters, including the rejection of multiple bills passed by the assembly. In January 2023, a similar incident occurred when the Governor walked out of the assembly after omitting portions of the speech prepared by the state government, leading to a resolution by the assembly to record only the original speech.
The role of the Governor in Indian states is largely ceremonial, intended to act as a bridge between the state and central governments. However, in Tamil Nadu, the relationship between the Governor's office and the state government has been fraught with disagreements, leading to public confrontations that disrupt legislative proceedings.
The omission of the National Anthem and the Governor's subsequent walkout have raised questions about procedural protocols within the assembly. Traditionally, the National Anthem is played at the beginning and end of the Governor's address in state legislatures across India. The deviation from this norm in Tamil Nadu's assembly has been interpreted by the Governor's office as a deliberate slight, while the state government's perspective on the matter remains undisclosed.
Political analysts suggest that this incident could have broader implications for state-center relations, especially considering the DMK's vocal stance on issues of state autonomy and federalism. The party has historically advocated for greater state rights and has often been at loggerheads with the central government's representatives.
The Governor's walkout has also drawn reactions from various political leaders. State Congress President K. Selvaperunthagai criticized the Governor, stating that he is "against the Tamil Nadu people" and does not accept resolutions from the assembly. Such statements reflect the growing discontent among state political leaders regarding the Governor's actions.
As the assembly session progresses, it remains to be seen how this confrontation will impact legislative business. The DMK government is expected to address several key issues during this session, and the Governor's absence from the customary address could set a contentious tone for the proceedings.