Governor R.N. Ravi, who shows scant respect for constitutional norms – Vaiko condemns
By walking out of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly without reading the Governor’s Address, as he has done repeatedly, Governor R.N. Ravi has insulted and undermined the traditions and dignity of the Assembly.
It is a long-established convention that the Assembly session begins with the Tamil Thai Vazhthu and concludes with the National Anthem. Despite the Speaker of the Assembly explaining this to the Governor several times, the Governor deliberately boycotted the Assembly citing the excuse that the National Anthem was not sung.
The Governor’s office has issued a statement contrary to facts, falsely claiming that the Governor was not allowed to speak and that the microphone was switched off.
Furthermore, the Raj Bhavan statement reads as though it was issued directly from the BJP office.
Deleting portions of the Governor’s Address prepared by the State government and inserting his own views amounts to an overstepping of authority and is an unconstitutional act that violates the limits of the Governor’s role.
Governor R.N. Ravi’s conduct, which tramples upon constitutional conventions, deserves the strongest condemnation.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s statement in the Assembly that the DMK will take steps to bring necessary amendments to the Indian Constitution to put an end to the practice of beginning Assembly sessions with the Governor’s Address — and that the DMK will work together with like-minded parties across the country for this purpose — is a welcome move.
Vaiko
General Secretary,
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK)
Thaayagam
Chennai – 8
20.01.2026