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Raj Bhawan said that upon the arrival of the Governor in the Assembly, only ‘Tamil Tai Vazhdu’ was played and not the National Anthem.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi (Photo: PTI)
High drama unfolded in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday as Governor RN Ravi refused to deliver his customary address during the first session of the state legislative assembly, citing disrespect to the National Anthem.
Upon the Governor’s arrival in the Assembly, only “Tamil Tai Vazhdu,” the state anthem, was sung instead of the National Anthem, which is traditionally played during such occasions, as per a statement by the Raj Bhawan.
What Did Raj Bhawan Say?
“The Constitution of Bharat and the National Anthem were once again insulted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today. Respecting the National Anthem is among the first Fundamental Duty as enshrined in our Constitution. It is sung in all the state legislatures at the beginning and the end of Governor’s address. Today on arrival of Governor to the House only Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was sung,” a statement from Raj Bhavan said.
” Governor respectfully reminded the House of its Constitutional Duty and fervently appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister who is the Leader of the House and the Hon’ble Speaker for singing the National Anthem. However, they cussedly refused. It is a matter of grave concern. Not to be a party to such brazen disrespect to the Constitution and the National Anthem, Governor in deep anguish left the House,” the statement added.
Congress, DMK Protest
The Congress and DMK staged a protest over the developments even as the Assembly speaker continued to read out the translated version of the Governor’s address.
“Governor is against the Tamil Nadu people, against the police. He doesn’t accept any resolution from the assembly… The only thing I can say is that the vice-chancellor of Anna University has not been appointed and hence we are protesting,” Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai said.
Shortly after the Governor left the House, AIADMK began its protest against the alleged sexual assault of a student on the Anna University campus.
The Speaker asked the marshalls to take the protesting MLAs out of the House. BJP and PMK also staged a walkout over the Anna University issue.
