Tamil Nadu's DMK Battles Governor RN Ravi Over Assent For Bills, Again

In a fresh flashpoint between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor RN Ravi, the Governor has reserved the Kalaignar Centenary University Bill for the consideration of the President of India, Raj Bhavan sources confirmed. The Bill, which was passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in April, proposes the establishment of the university and seeks to designate the Chief Minister as its Chancellor, departing from the current norm where the Governor holds the post.

The move has triggered sharp criticism from the ruling DMK, which has accused Governor Ravi of committing contempt of court by not adhering to the recent Supreme Court directive that Governors must act on Bills within a strict timeline, i.e., within a month, in the case of referring them to the President or otherwise within a maximum of three months.

Rajya Sabha MP and counsel for the Tamil Nadu government, P Wilson, told NDTV, "By going into the validity of the Bill, the Governor has committed contempt of the Supreme Court. He has no role to decide. He is also duty-bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, which he has clearly overlooked."

This latest standoff comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's recent intervention, where it ruled that ten Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly and referred to the President -despite being passed twice-were deemed to have received assent. The court had invoked its extraordinary constitutional powers to ensure legislative efficacy in the state.

However, the Madras High Court subsequently stayed nine of those, especially those that dealt with stripping the Governor of powers to appoint Vice-Chancellors in state universities, adding a new legal layer to the ongoing tussle.

While the DMK hoped to start admissions under the new university in the current academic year, the Governor's move is seen as a major setback, potentially delaying opportunities for students. The ruling party has also slammed what it sees as the Centre's silence, alleging that Governors in Opposition-ruled states are repeatedly defying Supreme Court rulings and undermining elected governments by misusing their constitutional immunity.

This confrontation highlights the growing constitutional tensions between state governments and Governors, especially in states ruled by non-BJP parties, raising critical questions about federalism, legislative autonomy, and institutional checks and balances in India's democracy despite the Supreme Court's significant ruling.