IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

09 Mar 2026 : End of chapter

Article 1: End of chapter

Why in news: R.N. Ravi was transferred amid prolonged Centre–State tensions in Tamil Nadu, repeated constitutional confrontations with the DMK government, Supreme Court criticism over delayed Bills, and political controversy surrounding his ideological and institutional conduct.

Key Details

  • Governor reshuffle: R.N. Ravi has been transferred from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal after the sudden resignation of C.V. Ananda Bose, with Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar given additional charge of Tamil Nadu.
  • Frequent clashes with Tamil Nadu government: Ravi had strained relations with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s DMK government, including repeatedly refusing to deliver the Governor’s Special Address under Article 176and even walking out of the Assembly multiple times.
  • Legislative deadlock: He delayed assent to several Bills under Article 200, including the NEET exemption Bill, creating a constitutional standoff between the Governor’s office and the State Assembly.
  • Judicial intervention: The Supreme Court rejected his claim that a Bill becomes “dead” if assent is withheldand later granted “deemed assent” to 10 Bills in 2025, criticising his prolonged inaction.
  • Political and ideological controversy: Ravi openly criticised the DMK’s “Dravidian model”, appearing politically aligned against the State government, which allowed the DMK to accuse the Union government of undermining federal principles.

Background of the Change

  • Governor R.N. Ravi transferred from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal.
  • The move followed the sudden resignation of West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.
  • This reshuffle is part of a larger gubernatorial change affecting five States and two Union Territories.
  • Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, will hold additional charge of Tamil Nadu, a State also approaching elections.

Relations with State Governments

  • Both R.N. Ravi and C.V. Ananda Bose were known for strained relations with elected State governments.
  • In West Bengal, Bose’s relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had recently improved.
  • In contrast, Ravi maintained persistent tensions with the DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Assembly Controversies in Tamil Nadu

  • Governor Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly repeatedly, including in January for the fourth consecutive year.
  • Each time, he avoided delivering the Governor’s Special Address, which is required under Article 176 of the Constitution.
  • These actions intensified the institutional conflict between the Governor’s office (Lok Bhavan) and the State Secretariat (Fort St. George).

Legislative Deadlock and Constitutional Issues

  • In 2022, Ravi returned a Bill related to exemption from the NEET medical entrance exam, instead of reserving it for the President.
  • The Tamil Nadu Assembly re-passed and sent the Bill again, asserting its authority.
  • Subsequently, Ravi delayed decisions on several Bills, effectively creating legislative paralysis.
  • He justified this by arguing that a Bill becomes “dead” if the Governor withholds assent.

Supreme Court Interventions

  • The Supreme Court rejected the Governor’s interpretation in the Punjab case (2023).
  • In 2025, the Court nullified Ravi’s inaction on 10 Bills, granting them “deemed assent.”
  • Despite these rulings, Ravi continued in office amid growing constitutional controversies.

Other Institutional Conflicts

  • The Union Home Ministry intervened when Ravi unilaterally dismissed a Minister who had been arrested, forcing him to reverse the decision.
  • On another occasion, the Supreme Court criticised him for refusing to administer oath to a Minister whose conviction had been suspended by the judiciary.

Ideological and Political Statements

  • Ravi often publicly supported right-leaning ideological positions.
  • He criticised Chief Minister Stalin’s “Dravidian model” as an “expired” and “sectarian” ideology.
  • Such statements reinforced perceptions that he acted as a political opponent rather than a neutral constitutional authority.

Political Impact

  • The DMK used Ravi’s actions politically, accusing the Union government under Narendra Modi of using the Governor to undermine the State government’s mandate.
  • His confrontational approach strengthened the DMK’s narrative of Centre-State conflict.

Implications of the Transfer

  • The transfer could be aimed at removing a political flashpoint for the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
  • Alternatively, it might be intended to alter political dynamics in West Bengal ahead of elections.
  • Regardless of the motive, Ravi’s tenure in Tamil Nadu is unlikely to be seen as a positive example of Centre–State relations in India’s constitutional framework.

Conclusion

The transfer of R.N. Ravi reflects the tensions that can arise when constitutional offices become politically contentious. His tenure in Tamil Nadu highlighted persistent Centre–State friction, legislative delays, and judicial interventions. Going forward, the episode underscores the need for Governors to act with neutrality, respect constitutional conventions, and maintain cooperative federalism to ensure smoother relations between elected governments and the Union.

 

Descriptive question:

Discuss the role of the Governor in India’s constitutional framework. In light of recent controversies in Tamil Nadu, examine the challenges it poses to cooperative federalism and Centre–State relations. (150 words, 10 marks)