DMK holds protest against Governor Ravi for disrespecting State’s anthem

DMK protests Governor R.N. Ravi's disrespect of Tamil Thai Vazthu, urging him to leave Tamil Nadu.

The ruling DMK on Tuesday held demonstrations against Governor R.N. Ravi across Tamil Nadu, accusing him of disrespecting the Tamil Thai Vazthu, and urged him to leave the State.

Addressing a demonstration here, DMK MP and deputy general secretary Kanimiozhi said that in Tamil Nadu, the established convention was to play the Tamil Thai Vazhthu at the beginning and the national anthem at the end of all events. “You [Mr. Ravi] have come to Tamil Nadu without knowing anything about the State. We follow an established convention in the Legislative Assembly. We have not insulted the national anthem. It will be played at the end,” she added.

She further said that the BJP government at the Centre nominated a Governor with the motive to insult the Tamil language. “This continues to create troubles for the DMK government and the party. However, we will face any challenge from the Governor, who fails to respect the Tamil language,” she said.

DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi said it was Mr. Ravi who was continuously insulting the Tamil Thai Vazhthu and the national anthem. “In the opening session [of the Assembly] last year, he walked out when the national anthem was played. We then called it a criminal act,” he contended.

Mr. Bharathi claimed that the Governor was unable to stomach the fact that Mr. Stalin had “emerged as the best Chief Minister in the country”.

Chennai Central MP Dayanidhi Maran said that though Maharashtra had more industries, the production capacity of industries in Tamil Nadu was very high.

“He [Mr. Ravi] refused to make a reference to the word Dravida in the Tamil Thai Vazhthu. However, the people of Tamil Nadu refused to be provoked. If you insult the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, they [the people of the State] will not forgive you,” he said.