‘No one needs to lecture us on patriotism’: MK Stalin rejects anthem row, hits out at Governor RN Ravi

Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday came out strongly against the allegations of disrespect to the national anthem as well as the questioning of patriotism while also defending the state's record on welfare delivery, infrastructure expansion, education and social equity.

"We have the highest respect for the nation and the national anthem. We are second to none when it comes to patriotism. No one needs to lecture us," he said.

He also defended assembly traditions, explaining that the Tamil Thai Vazhthu is rendered at the beginning of the session and the national anthem at the end, rejecting allegations of disrespect to the national anthem.


Further, Stalin said that after assuming office in 2021, he was hesitant about fulfilling his promises owing to the "damage" that the previous AIADMK regime had caused and to the lack of cooperation from the Union government. However, he said he was happy after these five years, as he claimed that the citizens were happy.

"Because of the achievements of the Dravidian model government, Tamil Nadu stands tall today," he said in his address in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly, adding that the state had outpaced others in growth and development.

He also intensified his attack on the state governor RN Ravi.

Stalin said that he had faced greater challenges from the governor than those encountered by former chief ministers CN Annadurai, M Karunanidhi, J Jayalalithaa and MG Ramachandran and accused Ravi of continuously functioning against the DMK government rather than working for the welfare of the people.