Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 20 : Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu on Tuesday refuted allegations of disrespecting Governor RN Ravi during the state's legislative assembly session.
The Speaker clarified that they gave full respect to the Governor.
"We have given full respect to the Governor. We gave him the full speech before. We have never disrespected the Governor," said Appavu while addressing a press conference here.
Commenting on the National Anthem controversy, the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker further asserted that the Assembly house will not change its customs.
"We will never change the customs we follow in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. We will never fear anyone and will not change the customs we follow in the assembly," added Appavu.
Earlier today, Governor RN Ravi walked out of the state assembly before delivering his inaugural address, stating that his microphone was "repeatedly switched off", preventing him from speaking. The state assembly is in session from January 20-24.
In a press release issued by the Lok Bhavan, the Governor's office elaborated on the reasons for his decision.
The release pointed to the sharp rise in crimes against women, including a 55 per cent increase in POCSO rapes and a 33 per cent rise in sexual molestation, as well as widespread narcotics and drug abuse among youth linked to over 2,000 suicides annually, all of which were unaddressed. Other concerns highlighted included nearly 20,000 suicides in the state in one year, declining education standards with over 50 per cent faculty vacancies, defunct village panchayats, temples without boards of trustees, and MSME sectors facing operational challenges. The release also noted widespread employee discontent across sectors.
Moreover, the Governor demanded that the national anthem be played after the Tamil Anthem, and when the Speaker refused, the Governor walked out, without reading the opening address.
Reacting to Governor Ravi's walkout, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu defended the conduct of the state assembly, saying the Governor has a constitutional duty to read the government's speech.
"You all watched who switched off the mic. There are 234 MLAs inside the Assembly. It is the duty of the Governor to read the government speech," Appavu said.
On the 13 points of objection raised by the Governor, he said, "It is for the people to criticise the government. The Governor is not a politician. If he wants to do so, he should come out of the Governor's post and talk. He has a duty to work under the Constitution and its framework."
Appavu added that the assembly had asked the Governor humbly to read the speech and that no unparliamentary language was used during the proceedings.
He also questioned, "If the Vice President or President do not read or walk out, will you (BJP-led Union Government) accept it? What did former VP Dhankar do wrong? Why partiality? Why different justice for you and us?"