TN: Political Outfits, Left Parties Protest; Wave Black Flags at Governor Ravi

Mayiladuthurai (TN): Activists of various political outfits staged a black flag protest against Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi here on Tuesday, when he visited a well-known mutt in the district.

Local BJP functionaries accorded a warm welcome to the Governor by holding the Indian tricolour during his visit to the Dharmapuram Aadheenam mutt here.

Earlier, a number of activists belonging to different political outfits and parties, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Left workers, waved black flags at Ravi and were later detained by the police.

 TV visuals showed some of the protesters purportedly trying to hurl flagpoles on the Governor's convoy.

 Meanwhile, opposition AIADMK and BJP expressed concern over the incident.

The agitators were heard raising slogans against Ravi for "not respecting the (state) Assembly," in an apparent reference to a number of bills, including one against NEET, pending with the Governor.

The ruling DMK-piloted Assembly bill seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from the ambit of the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) has become a bone of contention between the government and the Raj Bhavan, with Ravi returning the original bill adopted by the House in September last year in February 2022, with the House once again resolving on the matter days after.

The DMK and its allies had boycotted the Tamil New Year 'At Home' reception organised by Ravi last week.

The protesters on Tuesday raised slogans including "Go Back" aimed at the Governor. Some also carried placards against the mutt for the Governor's visit there.

AIADMK Joint Coordinator and state Leader of Opposition K Palaniswami voiced concern over the prevailing law and order situation, citing the "Governor could not travel within Tamil Nadu." He claimed that the Governor's convoy was targeted with stones and flagpoles by "anti-social elements."

Calling for the immediate arrest of those behind the incident, he sought Chief Minister M K Stalin's response over the matter, pointing out that he 'held' the Police department, by virtue of handling the Home portfolio.

BJP state president K Annamalai alleged that Ravi's security was "thoroughly compromised" during the latter's visit here.

 He alleged that stones and flagpoles were thrown at Ravi's convoy by "hooligans backed by the DMK party".

"We will write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah" over the law and order situation in the state and especially point out the "compromise" in the governor's security, Annamalai later told reporters.