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The ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister MK Stalin has reached a fever pitch, stemming from a disagreement over the protocol surrounding the singing of the National Anthem during the Governor's address to the state assembly. The core issue revolves around the established tradition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly of singing the state anthem, 'Tamil Thai Valthu,' at the beginning of the session and the National Anthem at the end. Governor Ravi, however, insists that the National Anthem should be sung at both the beginning and the end, deeming the current practice a disrespect to the national symbol and the Constitution. This fundamental difference in opinion has led to a series of public exchanges, escalating tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the DMK government.
The immediate trigger for the current escalation was Governor Ravi's walkout from the Assembly on January 6th, 2025, in protest of the National Anthem not being sung at the commencement of his address. The Raj Bhavan issued a statement characterizing the omission as a 'brazen insult' to the Constitution and the National Anthem, emphasizing the fundamental duty of respecting the national symbol. Chief Minister Stalin, in response, dismissed the Governor's actions as 'childish' and criticized him for violating established Assembly traditions. He pointed to instances where the Governor had deviated from the customary reading of the government's address, highlighting a pattern of what Stalin perceived as interference and disrespect for the state legislature's procedures. Stalin further argued that the Governor's actions were an attempt to undermine the development and progress of Tamil Nadu.
The Governor's office swiftly retorted, characterizing Stalin's remarks as arrogant and betraying the intentions of the ruling coalition. The statement from Raj Bhavan asserted that the Constitution and the National Anthem represent the supreme authority and faith of the nation, and that any blatant disrespect would not be tolerated. This sharp rebuttal underscores the deep divide between the two figures, with accusations of disrespect and disregard for established norms flying freely from both sides. The conflict is not merely a procedural disagreement; it reflects a deeper political struggle involving the power dynamics between the state government and the governor, often perceived as a representative of the central government.
This ongoing dispute has deep historical and political roots, extending beyond the immediate context of the National Anthem controversy. The frosty relationship between Governor Ravi and the DMK government has been a consistent feature since Governor Ravi assumed office in 2021. The DMK government has repeatedly accused Governor Ravi of acting as a spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging interference in state affairs through the obstruction of bills and appointments. Governor Ravi, in turn, has defended his actions by citing the constitutional powers vested in him to withhold assent to legislation. This prolonged power struggle has transcended the state level, with the dispute reaching both the Supreme Court and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the office of the President of India), highlighting the serious implications of this political standoff.
The conflict highlights the delicate balance of power between the state and central governments in a federal structure like India's. The Governor's role as a representative of the central government while operating within a state's legislative framework often creates points of friction. This case exemplifies the potential for such friction to erupt into significant political clashes, with national implications. The accusations of political motivations on both sides only serve to further deepen the divide and make a resolution less likely in the near future. The future of this conflict remains uncertain, but its potential to further exacerbate existing political tensions in India cannot be ignored.
Source: "Such Arrogance Is Not Good": Tamil Nadu Governor Hits Back At MK Stalin