Kanimozhi accuses Governor R.N. Ravi of insulting Tamils, DMK demands recall

DMK Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi accused the BJP-led central government of appointing R.N. Ravi as the Governor of Tamil Nadu with the intent to create trouble for the DMK government and insult Tamils. Addressing a large protest, Kanimozhi stated that the position of Governor was not meant for political purposes, and if Ravi was uninterested in attending the Legislative Assembly, he was welcome to take leave.

The protest, which took place across the state, was sparked by Ravi’s decision to walk out of the Assembly without delivering the customary address prepared by the state government at the start of this year’s maiden session. The Raj Bhavan later claimed that Ravi left in “deep anguish” over what it described as insults to the Constitution and national anthem during the session. Kanimozhi condemned this as the third instance of the Governor disrespecting the Assembly, emphasizing that under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the DMK would overcome all obstacles posed by the BJP government through the Governor.

Kanimozhi warned that there was a limit to Stalin’s patience and that the Governor’s recall would happen soon. DMK Organization Secretary R.S. Bharathi joined the protest, accusing Ravi of attempting to break five decades of tradition by skipping the customary address. He argued that Ravi’s refusal to read the government’s address lacked any valid reason and was driven by jealousy over Tamil Nadu’s success under Stalin’s leadership.

In response, BJP Mahila Morcha President and legislator Vanathi Srinivasan criticized the DMK for undermining the Governor’s position, claiming it had become a habit for the ruling party to portray the Governor’s actions as disrespectful. She defended Ravi’s insistence on playing the national anthem, pointing out that it is followed in other states like West Bengal and Kerala, and criticized the DMK for wanting a separate procedure for Tamil Nadu.