Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: On Wednesday, AIADMK MLAs wore black shirts for the third consecutive day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly session, signaling their intention to raise the issue of the alleged sexual assault case at Anna University.
The opposition parties have accused the DMK government of dragging its feet on the Anna University sexual assault case. In the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session, they are expected to continue pressing for action.
The session is set to begin shortly, with a Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address.
The first day of the winter session on Monday was marked by high drama, as opposition parties protested at the Secretariat over the alleged assault.
Governor R. N. Ravi, on Day 1, did not deliver his usual address, citing a serious issue regarding the National Anthem. According to a statement from Raj Bhavan, when the Governor arrived at the assembly, only “Tamil Tai Vazhdu,” the state anthem, was sung instead of the National Anthem, which is traditionally played during such occasions.
“The Constitution of Bharat and the National Anthem were once again insulted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today. Respecting the National Anthem is among the first Fundamental duties as enshrined in our Constitution. It is sung in all the state legislatures at the beginning and the end of the Governor’s address. Today on the arrival of the Governor to the House only Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu was sung. Governor respectfully reminded the House of its Constitutional Duty and fervently appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister who is the Leader of the House and the Hon’ble Speaker for singing the National Anthem. However, they cussedly refused. It is a matter of grave concern. Not to be a party to such brazen disrespect to the Constitution and the National Anthem, Governor in deep anguish left the House,” a statement from Raj Bhavan had said.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized the actions of the Tamil Nadu Governor in the assembly, calling them “completely ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Chennai Police have reported that a second-year student from Anna University was allegedly sexually assaulted on the university campus in December. One person has been arrested in connection with the case. In her complaint to the police on December 23, the student stated that an unidentified man had threatened and sexually assaulted her while she was conversing with a friend on campus.