In his opening speech for the year, TN Governor RN Ravi expressed dismay over the state government’s failure to heed his repeated requests to accord due respect to the national anthem. The government had convened the House on February 12 for the customary Governor’s Address to the Assembly. However, Governor RN Ravi declined to deliver the usual speech provided by the state government.

Keeping his address to about 3 minutes, the Governor said, “This address has numerous passages with which I convincingly disagree on factual and moral grounds. Me lending my voice to them could 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. Vaazhga Tamil Nadu, Vaazhga Bharatham, Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Nandri”.

Subsequently, Assembly Speaker Appavu presented the prepared Tamil version of the address, emphasizing the economic growth and societal progress achieved by the Stalin-led government despite facing multiple disasters. Addressing the Assembly in the presence of Governor Ravi, Appavu acknowledged that the Governor had expressed his thoughts. He further mentioned the delayed release of flood relief funds by the Centre to the state. He suggested that the Governor could recommend that the union government allocate Rs 50,000 crore from the PM Cares Fund for flood relief. Following Appavu’s comments on the alleged delay in releasing flood relief funds by the Union Government, Governor Ravi exited the Assembly.

Press Release by Raj Bhavan

In the aftermath of the Assembly’s unfolding drama, Governor Ravi responded to Speaker M Appavu. A statement from Raj Bhavan, released hours later, mentioned that the Governor’s draft address had been received on February 9, containing “numerous passages with misleading far from the truth”.

The statement conveyed that Governor Ravi returned the file, urging the government to exhibit proper respect for the national anthem by playing it at the commencement and conclusion of his address. This guidance had been previously communicated to Chief Minister Stalin and the Speaker, but the government had opted to overlook the recommendation.

“Governor’s address should reflect Government’s achievements, policies and programmes and to inform the House of the cause of its summons and should not be a forum for peddling misleading statements and venting blatantly partisan political views,” the press release said.

The Raj Bhavan’s press release stated that when the Speaker concluded his address, the Governor stood up for the national anthem as planned. Contrary to the schedule, the Speaker launched a verbal attack against Ravi, labelling him a follower of Nathuram Godse, among other things. 

“The Hon’ble Speaker, with his unbecoming conduct, lowered the dignity of his chair and (the) grace of the House,” it said.

Governor Ravi’s recent action mirrors a move by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who, similarly, concluded his customary address to the state Assembly in just a couple of minutes, reading out only the last paragraph. 

In 2023, Governor Ravi, deviating from tradition, skipped portions of the state government’s prepared address, leading to opposition from the ruling DMK and allies. Ravi omitted mentions of Periyar, BR Ambedkar, Kamaraj, Annadurai, and Karunanidhi, along with the state’s success in attracting foreign investment due to “improved law and order.” Chief Minister MK Stalin moved a resolution to include only the government’s text, prompting Ravi to leave the House before the national anthem.