Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has stirred a fresh wave of controversy by returning ten pending bills, two of which were previously passed during the AIADMK regime, to the state Assembly. This move, confirmed by sources within the state law department, follows closely on the heels of the Supreme Court’s criticism towards Governor Ravi and his Punjab counterpart regarding the delayed clearance of bills.
The apex court, expressing serious concerns over the delayed approvals, had rebuked the governors earlier this week, prompting heightened tensions between the respective state governments and the gubernatorial office.
In response to Ravi’s action, Speaker M Appavu swiftly called for a special session on Saturday. The ruling DMK, expected to assert its stance, plans to resend the bills to the Governor, making their endorsement essential for the bills to transform into laws.
Accusations have been leveled against the BJP-appointed Governor by the Tamil Nadu government, alleging intentional delays in clearing bills, which, they claim, hinder the state’s progress and undermine the elected administration’s authority.
Among the bills in contention, one notably curtails the Governor’s power in appointing Vice Chancellors for state-run universities, while another seeks prosecution of former AIADMK ministers.
This isn’t the first instance of Governor Ravi’s contentious actions. He previously delayed the NEET Exemption Bill, submitting it to the President only after its re-passage in the Assembly, and similarly stalled a bill addressing a ban on online gaming, citing a diplomatic refusal by withholding approvals.
Governor Ravi’s conduct has sparked wider controversy, including instances where he chose to endorse certain ideologies and avoided acknowledging key figures in the state’s history. His advocacy for “Sanatan Dharma,” coupled with selective omissions during speeches in the Assembly, has drawn criticism and triggered calls for retraction of his recorded speeches by the ruling government.
The situation in Tamil Nadu echoes similar conflicts in other states like Kerala and Punjab, where the Supreme Court intervened following complaints of delayed approvals by respective governors, illustrating a growing trend of friction between state governments and gubernatorial offices.
Sources By Agencies
