Tamil Nadu Governor Refuses Speech, Assembly Passes Resolution

Tamil Nadu Governor Refuses to Read Government’s Address at Assembly Session

In an unprecedented turn of events, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi declined to read the customary address prepared by the government during the first session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 2024. Citing disagreements on factual and moral grounds, the Governor expressed reluctance to lend his voice to passages he found objectionable.

Specifically, the Governor highlighted the absence of the national anthem at the beginning and end of the address, despite his repeated requests. He asserted that voicing opinions he disagreed with would be a constitutional travesty, thereby concluding his address.

Subsequently, Speaker M. Appavu began reading the Tamil interpretation of the Governor’s speech. “Tamil Nadu Government got approval for Governor’s customary address and he was here to read his address. He didn’t read his full speech but I don’t want to blame him. The Governor also said the National Anthem should have been sung. Everyone has many opinions but if we speak everything it won’t be ethical. This Government, CM, Minister and MLAs will treat the Governor with respect who is on high position irrespective of many different opinions. I am requesting Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, you speak what you had in your heart. What we have in our heart is Floods and Cyclone have affected. Despite the Governor’s departure before the customary singing of the national anthem, the Assembly passed a resolution considering the address as fully delivered.

This incident mirrored a similar occurrence on January 9, 2023, when Governor RN Ravi left the assembly abruptly following a resolution to exclude certain portions of his speech from the house records. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister MK Stalin, prompted the Governor’s swift departure from the assembly session.