Tamil Nadu Governor walks out of assembly on day 1, cites disrespect to national anthem

By Admin

20 Jan, 2026

Introduction
The opening day of the first Legislative Assembly session of the year in Tamil Nadu witnessed an unprecedented confrontation between Raj Bhavan and the House. The situation escalated when Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi walked out of the Assembly without delivering his customary address, citing procedural impropriety and alleged disrespect to the National Anthem.

Governor declines to deliver customary address
On Tuesday, Governor RN Ravi once again declined to read his prepared speech during the inaugural session. Traditionally, the Governor’s address outlines the state government’s vision and policy priorities for the year. However, this convention was disrupted when the Governor chose not to proceed with the address, triggering immediate tension within the House.

Sharp confrontation inside the House
Speaking from the well of the House, Governor Ravi described the situation as “unfortunate” and expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of the proceedings. He stated that his speech was interrupted and claimed that he was not allowed to speak freely. According to the Governor, his microphone was repeatedly switched off while he attempted to address the Assembly.

Citing disrespect to the National Anthem
One of the most serious allegations made by the Governor was regarding the National Anthem. He remarked that he was “disappointed” and alleged that the National Anthem was not given due respect during the proceedings. Shortly after making this statement, the Governor walked out of the Assembly without completing or formally delivering his address, marking a dramatic end to the opening session.

Statement from Raj Bhavan
Following the walkout, Raj Bhavan issued an official statement clarifying the reasons behind the Governor’s action. The release reiterated that the microphone was repeatedly switched off and claimed that the Governor was prevented from speaking. It further alleged that the prepared address contained numerous unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements. According to the statement, several key issues of concern raised by the Governor were not reflected in the final text of the address.

Political and constitutional implications
The incident has once again brought to the forefront the ongoing friction between the constitutional head of the state and the elected government. Such confrontations raise important questions about constitutional conventions, the role of the Governor, and the balance of authority between Raj Bhavan and the Legislative Assembly.

Conclusion
The Governor’s walkout on the very first day of the Assembly session has added a new chapter to Tamil Nadu’s evolving political dynamics. As reactions continue to pour in from political parties and constitutional experts, the episode underscores the need for mutual respect, adherence to constitutional norms, and constructive dialogue to ensure the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.