The Governor of Tamil Nadu, R.N. Ravi, while attending the Assembly session this year, stepped out without giving his habitual address. The incident occurred when the state anthem was sung without the accompaniment of the national anthem at the walkout-the Tamil Thai Vazhthu. This is very much raising issues like protocol, tradition, and constitutional respect, among others.
The Governor sought for the national anthem to be played post ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu,’ and since it was not done, he walked out of the Assembly creating a history never seen before in the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu.
Raj Bhavan’s Strong Statement. “The Constitution of Bharat and the National Anthem were insulted again in the Assembly of Tamil Nadu today.” Thus is one issued strong statements by Raj Bhavan. It will be widening the rift between the Governor and the ruling DMK government, which has been at loggerheads with Raj Bhavan frequently on matters of governance.
Political Reactions and Implications. Sharma said that the ruling DMK had chosen to derogate the Governor’s this purported actions as disrespect to this part of Assembly’s traditions and Tamil culture. Those said were some of the opposition leaders, on the other hand, raising eyebrows concerning the national anthem omission whereby it was reiterated to be able to uphold national pride and constitutional protocol.
This incident has also once more revived discussion on the role of governors in state governance. Critics posited that such acts could become strainers of federal balance and create needless conflicts between state and center.
The curtain fall by Governor R.N. Ravi indicates the continuing strain in what is India’s federal structure with the occasional conflict between state traditions and national protocols. The issues have not just brought constitutional values in the limelight, but they have also thrown up questions, in fact with the constitutionalistic approach, over developing relationships between Governors and governments of various states.
As the debate continues, the incident really puts into context the thin divide between cultural pride and constitutional responsibilities in India’s diverse democracy.