'Lending My Voice To Them, A Constitutional Travesty': TN Governor R N Ravi As He Declines To Address Assembly In A Historic Snub

In a historic development with vast constitutional implications, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi took a stand on Monday (12 February), declining to deliver the government's prepared address to the assembly, according to a report from Deccan Herald.

He expressed his refusal, citing numerous portions within the text with which he morally and factually disagreed, deeming it a potential constitutional violation to lend his voice to them.

Moreover, the Governor criticised the DMK administration for what he perceived as a lack of "due respect" towards the National Anthem.

In response to the Governor's decision not to deliver the speech in English, the Speaker proceeded to read the prepared text in Tamil.

At the session's onset, Ravi voiced his concerns regarding the lack of adherence to his repeated requests to accord due respect to the National Anthem, expressing disappointment over its exclusion at the address's beginning.

Despite the Speaker's clarification that the Tamil Nadu Assembly traditionally begins with the state song, "Tamil Thai Vaazhthu", and concludes with the National Anthem, Ravi left the session before the National Anthem was played at the address's end.

He stated, “this address has numerous passages with which I convincingly disagree on factual and moral grounds. Lending my voice to them would constitute a Constitutional travesty.”

The Governor concluded by stating, “hence, with respect to the House, I conclude my address and wish this house a healthy discussion for the good of people. Vaazhga Tamil Nadu and Vaazhga Bharatham. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Nandri,”