Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has accused the state government of actions reminiscent of the Emergency period.
The first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the year began on January 6. Upon arriving at the Assembly, Governor Ravi insisted that the National Anthem be sung immediately after the Tamil Thai Vazhthu. When his request was denied, the Governor walked out without delivering his address.
Following this incident, the Governor’s office issued a statement on social media, alleging that the Tamil Nadu government’s actions are evocative of the Emergency period.
The statement from Raj Bhavan read:
“The proceedings of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly were entirely censored, evoking memories of the Emergency period in the country. The people of Tamil Nadu were deprived of the true essence of the Assembly’s activities and the conduct of their representatives. Instead, only curated clips were presented by the state government.
By disregarding the fundamental duty concerning the National Anthem, the Constitution was disrespected, and the fundamental right of press freedom, as guaranteed by the Constitution, was shamefully suppressed. Such actions do not bode well for democracy.”
The Governor’s remarks have added to the ongoing friction between the state government and the Raj Bhavan, raising concerns about the democratic principles and constitutional adherence in the state.