Tamil Nadu Governor's Tense Exit: Insulting the Anthem and Igniting a Fresh Row

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In a dramatic turn of events, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi walked out of the state assembly on Tuesday, citing an 'insult' to the national anthem. This marked the third year in a row that Ravi declined to read the customary state government-prepared speech, sparking a fresh spat with the ruling DMK. The DMK has accused the Union government of centralising authority and using governors to interfere in non-BJP ruled states like Tamil Nadu, which is due to go to the polls this year. Chief Minister MK Stalin hit back, vowing to push for a Constitutional amendment to eliminate the practice of the customary speech. The governor's office claimed Ravi's mic was repeatedly switched off, and he was not allowed to speak. It also alleged that the speech contained unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements, including ignoring women's safety and the prevalence of narcotics and attacks against Dalits. Stalin, however, maintained that Ravi's actions were an insult to the people of Tamil Nadu. He moved a resolution to record the English version of the governor's address as having been read. The DMK has also accused the Union government of not releasing funds due to Tamil Nadu, leading to the denial of approvals and financial allocations for several essential projects. The state government-prepared speech, which was read by Speaker M Appavu after Ravi's exit, expressed disappointment at the Union government's attitude towards the state. It urged the Centre to withdraw the VB-G-RAM-G scheme and replace it with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The standoff between Ravi and the DMK government has been ongoing since his appointment as governor in 2021. Ravi's insistence on playing the national anthem at the beginning of a session has been a point of contention. The governor's office has cited 12 reasons for Ravi's walkout and refusal to read the speech. As the row intensifies, Stalin said it's not good that the government prepares and sends a speech every year, only for the governor to disagree without reading it properly. The practice of governors acting as an obstacle to state governments is a growing concern, Stalin added.