‘National Anthem Insulted Again’: Tamil Nadu Governor Walks Out of Assembly, Sparks Fresh Political Storm

(Image Credit: X account -@mkstalin)

The Governor skipped the customary address to the Assembly, expressing strong displeasure over the protocol followed during the opening of the session. According to a statement issued by Raj Bhavan, the National Anthem was not played alongside the state anthem—a move Ravi described as a violation of constitutional duty.

“The National Anthem has once again been insulted, and a fundamental constitutional responsibility has been disregarded,” the statement said.

‘Mic Switched Off, Not Allowed to Speak’

Explaining the reason behind the walkout, Raj Bhavan alleged that the Governor’s microphone was repeatedly switched off and that he was not allowed to deliver his address, forcing him to leave the House after offering only a brief greeting in Tamil.

The standoff comes just months before the state Assembly elections, intensifying the already strained relationship between the Governor and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin.

As per established protocol, the Governor is expected to deliver the opening address of the Assembly session. However, chaos erupted soon after the state anthem was played, culminating in Ravi’s sudden exit—symbolising the deepening constitutional and political rift.

Governor’s Strong Accusations Against the State Government

In a sharply worded press release, Raj Bhavan criticised the content of the government’s speech, calling it misleading and disconnected from ground realities.

“The speech contains numerous unsubstantiated claims and ignores several critical issues affecting the people of Tamil Nadu,” it stated.

The Governor disputed the government’s claim of attracting investments worth over ₹12 lakh crore, arguing that most Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) remain only on paper.

“Actual investment is only a fraction of what is claimed. Tamil Nadu, once the fourth-largest recipient of foreign direct investment, is now struggling to hold the sixth position,” the release said.

Women’s Safety, Drugs, and Social Crisis

Ravi also linked his protest to the deteriorating law-and-order situation, particularly concerning women’s safety. The statement highlighted a 55% rise in POCSO rape cases and a 33% increase in incidents of sexual molestation, accusing the state government of ignoring these alarming trends.

The Governor further pointed to a surge in narcotics and drug abuse among youth, stating that the issue was being “casually bypassed.”

He also flagged rising atrocities against Dalits and sexual violence against Dalit women, along with a disturbing suicide rate.

“Nearly 20,000 people committed suicide in a single year—around 65 every day. Tamil Nadu is being called the ‘Suicide Capital of India’, yet this crisis finds no mention,” the statement said.

Governance, Education, and Temple Administration Under Fire

The Governor accused the state of neglecting grassroots democracy, noting that thousands of village panchayats remain defunct due to the absence of elections.

“Crores of citizens are denied their democratic rights. This goes against the spirit of the Constitution,” Raj Bhavan said.

He also criticised declining education standards, mismanagement in institutions, and the continued state control over thousands of temples without boards of trustees—despite clear directions from the Madras High Court even after five years.

Additionally, the MSME sector was described as being under severe stress, forcing entrepreneurs to move their businesses to other states due to rising operational costs.

Political Flashpoint Ahead of Elections

Governor RN Ravi’s walkout has added fuel to an already volatile political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu, turning a routine Assembly session into a high-stakes constitutional and political flashpoint—one that is likely to dominate discourse in the run-up to the elections.