CHENNAI: A fresh controversy erupted between Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin after a line from the state anthem was reportedly omitted during a Hindi event held recently. The incident has sparked tensions between the state government and the Governor's office, with both sides exchanging sharp comments over the matter.

The issue arose when during the Doordarshan Kendra Chennai's Hindi month valedictory function, a sentence 'Thekkanamum adhil sirantha Dravida nal thiru naadum' went missing when the singers sang the anthem at the DD Tamil office in Chennai. This line is traditionally recited in full at official events, and it was allegedly skipped at the celebration. Chief Minister Stalin expressed his displeasure, criticizing the Governor's office for failing to ensure the anthem was sung in its entirety, calling it an affront to Tamil culture and identity.

The CM accused the governor of insulting the unity of the country, Tamil Nadu and its people and demanded that he be recalled by the Centre and even remarked that a person who doesn't abide by the law and acts as per his wishes was not fit to hold that office further remarking if Ravi was a governor or an 'Aryan.'

In a strong response, Governor Ravi's office dismissed the concerns, stating that the omission was unintentional and happened due to an oversight by event organizers and said the allegation against him was "unfortunately cheap and lowers the dignity of the high constitutional office of the chief minister."

The Governor's office also expressed regret over the incident but emphasized that no disrespect was intended toward the Tamil language or its heritage and termed Stalin's reaction as regrettable and accused the CM of making a racist remark against him and for having levelled, "false allegation of showing disrespect to Tamizh Thaai Valthu."

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Edappadi K Palaniswami also strongly condemned the omission and said it was a blunder and other parties including Congress condemned the Governor. Palaniswami said, "It was a blunder to skip the words. This is highly condemnable. The word Dravidam is a great revolution against oppression." The word Dravidian stood for the world's oldest civilisation. "Whoever has omitted it hurt the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and belittles the Dravidian culture and such actions should be stopped," Palaniswami said on 'X'.

As the controversy over skipping a line from the state anthem raged, Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai, apologised for 'inadvertent mistake,' and said singers had no intention to disrespect Tamil or Tamizh Thaai Valthu, the state song.