DMK, allies boycott Governor’s Republic Day ‘At Home’ for second consecutive year

With relations between the elected MK Stalin government and Raj Bhavan hitting a new low following Governor R.N. Ravi’s refusal to deliver the customary address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the ruling DMK, and its INDIA bloc allies boycotted the traditional ‘At Home’ reception hosted by the Governor on Republic Day.

This is the second consecutive year that the DMK and its allies have skipped the event at Raj Bhavan, underscoring the widening rift between the state government and the Governor. With Assembly elections expected in a couple of months, the DMK appears unwilling to soften its stance and has stepped up its rhetoric against the Governor, branding him “anti-Tamil.”

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Chief Minister Stalin, along with his Cabinet colleagues and senior party leaders, including DMK Parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi, attended the party’s Women’s Wing conference titled ‘Victorious Tamil Women Conference’ in Thanjavur on Monday evening. The regional conference is being organised by Kanimozhi in her capacity as head of the DMK Women’s Wing. “Will meet at Thanjavur in the evening,” Stalin posted on social media.

As in the previous year, the boycott was triggered by Governor Ravi’s refusal to deliver the customary Governor’s address—prepared by the state government—and his walkout, citing the non-playing of the national anthem at the beginning of the session. Traditionally, the anthem is played at the conclusion of the proceedings, while the Tamil Nadu legislature follows the convention of opening sessions with ‘Thamizh Thai Vazhthu’ (Invocation to Mother Tamil).

Despite the strained relationship, earlier in the day Stalin welcomed the Governor at the Republic Day flag-hoisting ceremony on the Marina seafront. The Governor unfurled the national tricolour and took the salute.

In his Republic Day message, Stalin said: “Let us celebrate a pluralistic India. Countless languages, ethnicities, and cultures flourish in this vast landmass that is India. Unity in diversity is a centuries-old national characteristic. India rises in unison when we live with self-respect, confidence, and freedom. Each language, ethnicity, and culture is unique, and they respect and nourish one another. Our strength lies in pluralism, not in homogeneity. Let us celebrate a pluralistic India.”

Earlier, on Sunday evening, addressing a massive Language Martyrs’ Day rally in Kancheepuram, Stalin resolved to continue the DMK’s fight against Hindi imposition and described the 2026 Assembly election as yet another warfront between Dravidam and Aryan forces. Language Martyrs’ Day, observed on January 25, is a significant event for Dravidian parties, including actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Stalin asserted, “Hindi imposition is not merely the imposition of a language; it is the imposition of hegemony.”