BY Navin Upadhyay
On April 8, 2025, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark verdict that struck a decisive blow against Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, declaring his prolonged withholding of assent to 10 state bills as “illegal,” “arbitrary,” and a violation of constitutional norms.
This stinging rebuke from the apex court has not only exposed Ravi’s overreach but also raised serious questions about his fitness to hold the gubernatorial office. For the sake of upholding democratic principles, constitutional integrity, and the will of the people of Tamil Nadu, Governor Ravi must resign. Here’s why.
A Constitutional Breach Too Grave to Ignore
The Supreme Court’s ruling was unequivocal: Governor Ravi’s actions contravened Article 200 of the Constitution, which outlines the options available to a Governor when presented with a bill—grant assent, withhold assent, or reserve it for the President’s consideration. The court found that Ravi sat on 10 bills—some pending since January 2020—for an “unduly long period” before abruptly withholding assent and later referring them to the President, even after the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly re-passed them.
The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, emphasized that such delays and subsequent actions were not in “good faith” and amounted to a “pocket veto”—a concept alien to India’s constitutional framework.
This is not a minor procedural lapse. By stalling bills duly passed by an elected legislature, Ravi effectively undermined the democratic process, thwarting the will of Tamil Nadu’s people as expressed through their representatives. The court’s invocation of Article 142 to deem the bills assented underscores the severity of his misconduct. A Governor who flouts the Constitution he is sworn to uphold has no moral or legal legitimacy to remain in office.
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A Pattern of Overreach and Confrontation
This is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of behavior since Ravi assumed office in September 2021. His tenure has been marked by repeated clashes with the MK Stalin-led DMK government, including his refusal to deliver the customary Assembly address, unilateral attempts to dismiss ministers, and delays in approving key appointments. The Supreme Court had previously flagged his inaction in 2023, questioning why he acted only after judicial scrutiny began. His decision to withhold assent to bills—many concerning university vice-chancellor appointments—and then bypass the Assembly by referring them to the President after reconsideration reflects a deliberate attempt to subvert state autonomy.
Ravi’s justification—that the bills were repugnant to central laws—crumbled under scrutiny, with the court ruling that he lacked the authority to reserve re-passed bills for the President unless they were substantively altered. This exposes his actions as politically motivated rather than constitutionally grounded, aligning with critics’ accusations that he has acted more as a BJP-aligned operative than a neutral constitutional figurehead.
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Undermining the Spirit of Federalism
The Governor’s role in India’s federal structure is to act as a bridge between the state and the Union, not as an obstructionist gatekeeper. By paralyzing Tamil Nadu’s legislative machinery, Ravi has struck at the heart of federalism, a cornerstone of India’s democracy. The Supreme Court emphasized that Governors must respect “settled conventions of parliamentary democracy” and serve the welfare of the state’s people, not obstruct their elected government. Ravi’s conduct has instead deepened the trust deficit between Raj Bhavan and Fort St. George, turning a constitutional office into a battleground for partisan politics.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin hailed the verdict as “historic,” not just for his state but for all of India, signaling a broader fight against gubernatorial overreach. With states like Kerala, Punjab, and Telangana facing similar delays from their Governors, Ravi’s case sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecked. His resignation would send a clear message that such transgressions will not be tolerated.
Loss of Moral Authority and Public Trust
A Governor’s authority rests on their ability to command respect as an impartial arbiter. Ravi’s actions have eroded that trust. The court’s sharp observation that he showed “scant respect” for judicial precedents—such as its Punjab Governor ruling—and acted with “extraneous considerations” strips him of any claim to impartiality. His earlier public statements, like vowing never to clear the NEET exemption bill, further reveal a predisposition to prioritize personal or political agendas over constitutional duty.
The Youth Athletic Development Association’s demand for clarification over his drug trade allegations in Manipur and the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s special session to re-pass bills highlight the public and institutional pushback against him. A Governor who has lost the confidence of both the judiciary and the state’s elected representatives cannot credibly continue in office.
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The Path Forward: Resignation as Accountability
Governor Ravi’s resignation is not merely a symbolic gesture but a necessary step to restore faith in the constitutional framework. The Supreme Court’s indictment is a rare and severe censure, effectively deeming his tenure a liability to Tamil Nadu’s governance. By stepping down, he would acknowledge the gravity of his missteps and allow for a fresh appointee to rebuild the strained relationship between the state government and Raj Bhavan.
Critics might argue that Governors, as appointees of the President, are not directly accountable to the public. However, when their actions provoke judicial intervention and disrupt governance, as Ravi’s have, the ethical imperative to resign becomes undeniable. His continued presence risks further confrontations, potentially inviting more legal battles and administrative paralysis—outcomes Tamil Nadu can ill afford.
The Supreme Court’s verdict on April 8, 2025, is a clarion call for accountability. Governor R.N. Ravi’s illegal withholding of assent to bills is not a mere technical error but a profound betrayal of his constitutional oath. His resignation is the only honorable recourse to uphold democratic values, protect Tamil Nadu’s legislative sovereignty, and reinforce the judiciary’s message that Governors are not above the law. For the sake of the state and the nation, it is time for Ravi to step aside.
