Black flag demonstration staged by the DMK, leftists and Tamil chauvinist groups against Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Tamil Nadu, during his visit to Thanjavur on Tuesday has brought to light contradictions in the approach of these parties towards the Governor, point out legal experts.
Purohit was in Thanjavur for interaction with the general public as well as officials of the district administration to take stock of the various social welfare measures. Ma Foi Pandiyarajan, Minister for Tamil Development had accompanied the Governor during his tour. More than 300 activists of the DMK led by former Union Ministers TR Baalu and SS Palani Maanickam staged a black flag demonstration shouting anti-Centre, anti-Modi and anti-Governor slogans against Purohit’s visit.
An unruffled Governor went ahead with his scheduled programme which included briefing by district officials about the progress of various pro-poor schemes announced by the Centre. Purohit met individuals and representatives of various organisations and accepted petitions from them. leaders of various farmers’ associations called on the Governor and submitted representations listing their woes in getting water for irrigation. Thanjavur is described as Tamil Nadu’s hub of rice cultivation and the district is part of the fertile Cauvery Delta Region.
The DMK and other secessionist groups claim their opposition to the Governor visiting the districts and interacting with the officials as a violation of the autonomy of State’s rights. TTV Dhinakaran, the newly elected legislator from RK Nagar termed it as trampling on cooperative federalism, the hallmark of democracy.
But the Governor by a release issued on November 20, 2017 had clarified that there was nothing unconstitutional or illegal in his actions. He said in the release that he had never violated any law or the Constitution. “These meetings helped Shri Purohit in getting first-hand knowledge of the developmental needs and problems faced by the people at the grass root level which facilitated him in reflecting the same to the Government of India and thereby enabling him to avail more funds to fulfil the needs abd aspirations of the people,” said the Chennai Raj Bhavan release.
Kattumannarkoil Kannan, farmer leader from Cauvery Delta differed with the agitators. “This is the first time a Governor is coming to the people to find out their issues and he should be thanked for it. It is from his speeches I came across many schemes launched by the Government of India for the benefit of weaker sections and farmers,” said Kannan.
Constitutional experts are of the view that the black flag demonstrations are purely political. “The Governor is a Constitutional authority and there is no law in the Constitution which prevents him from interacting with the officials and people of the State. I found the same DMK leaders calling on the Governor at Raj Bhavan to submit a representation against the State Government and demanding the dismissal of the Government. They are contradicting themselves through their action,” Prof A Sathyaseelan, constitutional expert and former principal of Government law Colleges at Trivandrum and Kochi said.
Purohit has announced that he would continue his visits to the districts irrespective of the opposition by the DMK and other groups. On their part, the DMK would intensify the agitation against the Governor. They charge that the Governor is making the atmosphere conducive for the Centre to dismiss the State Government and bring President’s rule.