Tamil Nadu Intellectuals’ Forum organised an event on 15th April, 2025 at Periyar Thidal, Chennai, welcoming and commending the recent Supreme Court verdict in the case regarding the inaction of the Governor of Tamil Nadu and his withholding of assent to 10 Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The content of the speech delivered by Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani, the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) was in brief as follows:
Dear friends, cadres, dignitaries and invitees, we have assembled here to formally commend and thank the Supreme Court for its recent verdict according the assent by itself to all the 10 Bills, when the Governor did not take action on them despite the opportunities provided for him. We congratulate the Dravidian Model Government of Tamil Nadu for having won the case. The verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court has made it crystal clear that no constitutional authority is above the law, and that the Supreme Court is not just an executive court; it could also exercise its extraordinary powers to do ‘complete justice’ when required.
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Historic Verdict
The Supreme Court has rightly condemned the Tamil Nadu Governor Thiru R.N. Ravi’s misuse of power and his lack of deference and respect to the directions and judgments of the Supreme Court in several instances. By exercising its extraordinary powers vested under Art.142 of the Indian Constitution the Supreme Court has scripted history by its laudable verdict. It has ended the Governor’s audacity in exceeding the limits of his powers. The verdict would for ever exemplify the historic achievement of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru.M.K. Stalin, who filed the case to protect State rights and especially the rights of Tamil Nadu. It is noteworthy that so far the Supreme Court had never ever criticised any other Governor, the way it had criticised Thiru.R.N. Ravi. Its verdict has added enormous strength to the Federal polity of India.
Eminent Periyarist
We convey our thanks to senior advocate Thiru. N.R. Elango who had been instrumental behind the hearing of this case. His groundwork was undeniably superb. He had explained to the Supreme Court all the achievements of the Dravidian Model Government in Tamil Nadu. He has always been an eminent Periyarist. He has won several complex cases in the past. He represents the D.M.K. as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. He has played a vital role in this particular issue.
‘Win Son’s Contribution
Respectful advocate Thiru.P. Wilson has been a long time associate of the D.M.K. and presently a Rajya Sabha member too. I recall an incident when he met the late Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi and informed him of his winning a case. Kalaignar congratulated him and said – “You are not Wilson; You are ‘Win-Son’.”
Thiru Wilson has contributed much and helped ‘Win’ this particular case. He has made it clear that the constitution is a living document which can never be misused. He has stressed that the Governor of a State should take a decision within 30 days on any enacted Bill.
Veteran Journalist
Thiru.N. Ram, former Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Hindu’ is well known for speaking his mind at all times without any hesitation. Following the verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court he daringly remarked – “The Governor R.N. Ravi must demit office owning constitutional morality.” We were all amazed by his bold comment. Though he has been a common citizen as one among us, he was quite fair in his insistence on justice. Our remarks could be ignored, but the remarks of a person of his calibre would certainly draw the attention of all the people. We thank him heartily for voicing our views on our behalf. He condemned boldly the attack by some toxic forces on the concept of federalism. Thiru.N.Ram went to the extent of adding that even the BJP – ruled States should welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court.
Unprecedented Judgment
We sincerely thank Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R.Mahadevan for this unprecedented judgment. We have heard of numerous court cases in our history but a case of ours itself has become history today. For every citizen of India, the Supreme Court is the last resort on which they pin all their hopes. At a crucial period when Indian democracy itself is under severe threat, the Supreme Court has made dusk fall and caused the break of dawn, by its rarest of rare verdicts. Democracy as well as Constitution stand well protected now. It is puzzling how some toxic forces still pretend to be unaware of this twist in the tale. However, people are watching the course of Nature that ultimately establishes justice.
Abode of Sovereignty
It has been proved once again that Sovereignty lies in us, the people; nowhere else. The Supreme Court has justly rebuked the Governor R.N. Ravi for causing recriminations and failing to revere the Constitution. Infact, he seems to be merely an arrow shot by someone else. Let us hope the shooters would reform themselves if they believe in the glory of democracy and if they feel the prick of their conscience.
Political instruments
In almost every State ruled by opposition parties, Governors are being used as instruments to serve the purpose of the Union Government. Besides governors, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate are also being used as devices to accomplish hidden agenda. These are all political instruments to achieve strategic objectives. This has been their ploy ever since they grabbed the rule, but this verdict of the Supreme Court is a crushing blow for them.
Complete Justice
An excellent term used by the judges in this verdict is the expression – “Complete justice.” This is to be highlighted and given special attention. Paragraph No.431, 432 and 433 in this Verdict of 415 pages are highly significant. These three segments stress the importance of complete justice at all times in all issues of dispute.
It is clearly stated in the Constitution –
“We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic, and to secure to all its Citizens, Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity….”
It insists on social, economic and political justice. It grants liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. Equality of status and opportunity is stressed upon. Assuring the dignity of the individual, the unity and integrity of the nation are implied by Fraternity.
The concluding sentence is of utmost importance. It reads –
“… Adopt, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution…”
We must infer from this that Sovereignty rests in us, the people, not in the Assembly, Parliament, the Governor, the Prime Minister or even in the President. Hence, we, the people must protect Sovereignty for ever. When there is misrule in the country judiciary naturally should come forward to establish complete justice and conserve Sovereignty.
Commendable diplomacy
As per Article – 163 of the Constitution, a Governor is just a part of a State Government. The Governor of Tamil Nadu has ignored this fact completely and belittled his position. His conduct has been undesirable on many occasions, for instance his walk-out from the State Legislative Assembly in its opening session of the year. The Chief Minister handled the situation diplomatically without emotional outburst. It was a great moment in the history of democracy.
When Thanthai Periyar passed away, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, who was then the Chief Minister, wanted Periyar’s funeral to be held with state honour. It was objected to since Periyar had not held any post or position in political sphere. Kalaignar was prepared to face any dire consequence and took it as a challenge. He pointed out how Gandhi was honoured by the State, though he too had not held any post or position. Eventually, Kalaignar’s desire was fulfilled. Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru.M.K. Stalin had also depicted the diplomacy of his father by tolerating the walk-out of the Governor.
I wish to conclude my speech, conveying once again my hearty thanks to everyone behind the recent verdict of the Supreme Court. May ‘Complete Justice’ prevail everywhere in this world.
Thiru. N.Ram
(Former Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Hindu’)
The Government of Tamil Nadu deserves praise for meticulously gleaning out little known facts related to the judiciary, laws and the Constitution and waging a war for complete justice. It has meritoriously won the case filed by it in the Supreme Court. The State Government has been stubborn in its stand, ideals and principles. By clearly and boldly expressing their views they were able to drive home their points boldly and win ultimately.
Once Kalaignar Thiru.M. Karunanidhi wrote an article stressing the dire need of ‘Autonomy to the State and Federal at the Centre’. It was published by us in ‘The Hindu’, when I was the Editor. His son Thiru.M.K. Stalin has been equally unperturbed and resolute, but I shall never call him a carbon copy of his father. Thiru. Stalin has his own distinctive style of functioning. He has been soft spoken, polite and modest in expressing his views on unacceptable aspects in political arena. Speaking softly with a strike has been his typical characteristic.
We have together discussed in the past, burning problems such as the abrogation of Article 370 related to Jammu – Kashmir and Citizenship Amendment Act. I agreed with Thiru. Stalin when he felt that the Supreme Court has been functioning as Executive Court, but by this verdict they have disproved it. It has protected the rights of the States by establishing complete justice.
The Supreme Court has rebuked the following three actions of the Governor Thiru.R.N. Ravi:
- Prolonged inaction over the Bills
- Withholding assent and returning the Bills without a message
- Reserving the Bills re-legislated by the State Assembly for the President.
The Supreme Court has pointed out these as a clear violation of the procedures envisaged under the Constitution. The Court has justly declared that they deem the assent to all the 10 Bills has been granted by exercising extraordinary Powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. Constitutional morality has been protected by this historic verdict. Even the BJP ruled States should welcome the verdict. I congratulate the Government of Tamil Nadu on this achievement and I also hope, it achieves success in all its future endeavours too.
Thiru. N.R.Elango (Senior Advocate, Secretary of the DMK’s Lawyers’ Forum and Rajya Sabha M.P.)
The Rights of the States have been safeguarded by the efforts of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru.M.K. Stalin. The entire credit for the recent verdict of the Supreme Court should go to him. The verdict itself seems to be the outcome of a research in States’ rights. Though the words ‘Federal Polity’ have not been explicitly adumbrated in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has clearly implied through para No.431 of the verdict that Federal polity is fundamental and essential to the sustenance of a representative democracy.
Eminent legal expert Thomas Fuller once said –
“Be you ever so high; the law is above you!”
However great a person might be; he is not above law. This is what we infer from it. The verdict of the Supreme Court implies that the Governor of a State should be a catalyst for constructive developments – not a stumbling block on the path of progress. The verdict insists on a Governor’s showing deference to the Constitution and safeguarding the dignity of the office.
The Constitution specifies various oaths for other portfolios but it stresses that a Governor, while swearing in, should take an oath that he / she would perform duties bearing in mind the welfare of the people of the respective States. The Governor of Tamil Nadu Thiru R.N.Ravi has obviously failed in this aspect. He has been an obstacle for public welfare measures and has been causing mutual recriminations.
The Lawyers’ Forum of the DMK had been voicing protest against the inaction of the Governor over the 10 vital Bills concerned. Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani organised a significant meeting at Periyar Thidal, Chennai and delivered a speech condemning the inaction of the Governor. However, through the case filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, at last the problem stands solved. I convey my hearty thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru.M.K. Stalin for his relentless efforts. I convey my thanks to the Lawyers’ Forum of the DMK and the Tamil Nadu Intellectuals’ Forum, for their invaluable support and patronage.
Thiru P.Wilson, (Rajya Sabha M.P & Eminent Lawyer)
The verdict of the Supreme Court has specified the limit of the period, to the tactics of the Governor by delaying to act on the Bills passed by the State Legislative Assembly with the Members, elected by the mandate of the people. For the first time in India, a law has come into force without the assent of the Governor or the President. Ten Bills have become law and we have won the case. The Supreme Court states that no constitutional authority is above the law. I hope that if the time limit for the Governor is reviewed, the Supreme Court will not reject it. The Constitution is a living document and so it cannot be misused.
The verdict has fixed a time limit of 30 days for the Governor of State to take action on a Bill. The Courts could be approached if no action is taken within 30 days. If the Bill is sent to the President and is withheld, a case can be filed in the Court. If a Bill is re-enacted, a Governor should take a decision within 30 days. According to the recent verdict of the Supreme Court, Governors should not delay. They do not have any other priority work than signing Bills. The Governor’s Office is operated with the money of the tax payers in the State.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu stated once that Indian Constitution is incomplete. We argued in a convincing manner and proved that it is undeniably complete. Eventually, we have now got a fair verdict from the Supreme Court. All the 10 Bills have been “deemed to be assented”. The Government of Tamil Nadu has scripted history by this rarest achievement. I express my sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru.M.K.Stalin.
Tail Piece: Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani proposed a Resolution that the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru R.N. Ravi should demit office on his own or must be inevitably terminated. The audience at the venue stood in Asiriyar’s honour and seconded the proposal
