Speaker condemns Governor over remarks on Assembly proceedings

Assembly condemns Governor R.N. Ravi for criticizing proceedings, leading to a dispute over broadcasting rights and opposition actions.

Speaker M. Appavu on Wednesday said the Assembly condemned Governor R.N. Ravi over his social media post criticising the proceedings of the House. The House condemned the Governor’s actions that insulted the people of Tamil Nadu and their elected representatives, he said.

“As per Article 176 (1) of the Constitution, his democratic duty is only to read out the speech drafted by the Cabinet. He has no right to demand that the national anthem be sung at the beginning. The Governor should follow the law, and it is not appropriate for him to make demands,” the Speaker said.

Taking strong exception to the Raj Bhavan’s post claiming that there was “total censorship” of the House proceedings, reminiscent of the days of the Emergency, the Speaker implied that Doordarshan Podhigai (a part of Prasar Bharati, a State-owned public broadcaster under the Union government) was unable to broadcast the event the way the Governor wanted it to be broadcast, and hence, the Raj Bhavan had made such comments.

On the day of the Governor’s address, cameras from Doordarshan Podhigai trespassed into the Assembly premises a few minutes ahead of the Governor’s entry, and attempted to record the proceedings, the Speaker said.

Prasar Bharati has not been accepting the request of the Tamil Nadu Assembly for covering the proceedings, saying it was involved in “VVIP coverage” and sometimes for want of OB van, Mr. Appavu said. On being asked why it did not cover even after receiving payment, he said, “They said they were sent to cover election campaign in Gujarat.”

The Assembly had since replaced Prasar Bharati with the State government’s Information and Public Relations Department to telecast proceedings of the House, the Speaker said.

A few minutes after he referred the action of the Opposition parties raising slogans against the Governor to the House’s Privileges Committee for breach of privilege, the Speaker withdrew the order, acting on a request made by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and a submission made by AIADMK deputy floor leader R.B. Udhayakumar.