TN Assembly 2025: Speaker must desist partisan considerations over National Anthem’s inviolable tradition, says L Murugan

CHENNAI: Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan on Monday unequivocally condemned the alleged disrespect towards the National Anthem in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session.

Murugan emphasised that the National Anthem's rendition during the Legislative Assembly's inaugural Session, marked by the Governor's address, is an inviolable tradition that embodies the utmost respect and reverence for the nation.

"However, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has been witness to a series of unseemly incidents that besmirch the dignity of the National Anthem, ostensibly as a means of protest against the Governor," he said in a statement.

The Union Minister castigated the DMK government, describing it as "pseudo-Dravidian" for prioritising “petty politicking over the welfare and well-being of the people.”

He criticized the ruling DMK government for its “blatant disregard for Constitutional norms and its propensity for engaging in unnecessary and divisive politics.”

L Murugan also trained his guns on Speaker Appavu, condemning his refusal to accede to the Governor's request to play the National Anthem.

He asserted that the Speaker's role is to maintain the dignity and decorum of the House rather than acting as a partisan representative of the ruling DMK.

"The Speaker's conduct is highly condemnable, and it is incumbent upon him to eschew partisan considerations and uphold the majesty of the legislative assembly," Murugan said.

Furthermore, Murugan urged Chief Minister M K Stalin to desist from adopting a confrontational approach towards the Governor and instead focus on upholding the Constitution and promoting the welfare of the people.

"The Chief Minister must recognise the Constitutional sanctity of the Governor's office and refrain from engaging in acts that are tantamount to disrespecting the Constitution," he added.