The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking directions to the President of India’s Secretary and others to recall Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi following his walkout from the Legislative Assembly on January 6 without delivering his customary address.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar deemed the plea, filed by advocate CR Jaya Sukin, as “ill-conceived.” The bench pointed out that no such directive could be issued for the Governor’s removal.
Ravi’s walkout occurred during the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Invocation to Mother Tamil) being sung instead of the national anthem at the start of his address. The Governor had previously complained that despite his requests, the national anthem was not played before the Assembly convened.
The plea highlighted that Ravi had staged a walkout for the third consecutive year, criticizing the state assembly for not following his preference regarding the anthem.
The petition argued that, under the Constitution, it is not the Governor’s role to dictate the sequence of events, such as the playing of the national anthem, at the start of his address.
The petition further criticized Ravi for violating constitutional norms by making politically charged comments, particularly his remarks dismissing the Dravidian model of governance as an “expired ideology.” It also mentioned his actions of withholding assent to bills and sending them back, which stirred controversy.
The plea emphasized that the Governor, as a constitutional figure, is not meant to engage in political discourse but should focus solely on the functions prescribed by the Constitution.
Despite these concerns, the Supreme Court chose not to intervene.
