MK Stalin-Led Tamil Nadu Government Notifies 10 Acts Without Governor’s Assent Following Supreme Court Verdict

Chennai: In a historic development, the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government on Saturday notified 10 crucial Acts without receiving assent from either the state Governor, RN Ravi, or the President of India. This unprecedented move marks the first time in Indian history that a state government has enacted laws without the Governor’s approval, removing significant hurdles in the appointment of vice-chancellors to state universities.

The notification came a day after the Supreme Court of India delivered its landmark judgment, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to declare these bills as deemed to have received assent. The Court’s ruling effectively nullified the Governor’s actions, which had stalled these Acts, and set a precedent for legislative autonomy.

“The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its Order dated 08.04.2025 in W.P.(C) No.1239/2023 has ordered that all the action of the Hon’ble President after the date of reserving the above said Bill is non-est in law and shall be deemed to have been assented to by the Hon’ble Governor on the date on which the said Bill was presented to him for assent,” read the Tamil Nadu Government’s official notification.

With this ruling, the Acts now empower the state government to directly appoint and remove vice-chancellors in state universities, particularly on the grounds of willful omission to implement the provisions of the law. This decision has been hailed as a victory for the Tamil Nadu government, which had been facing significant delays due to the Governor withholding assent.

The controversy surrounding the Bills began when Governor RN Ravi withheld assent and forwarded them to President Droupadi Murmu. DMK MP P Wilson called the decision historic, stating, “Pursuant to the order of the Hon. SC, the Tamil Nadu Government has notified the 10 Acts on the Government Gazette, and they come into force! History is made as these are the first Acts of any legislature in India to have taken effect without the signature of the Governor/President but on the strength of the judgement of the Supreme Court.”

Wilson further emphasized the impact on Tamil Nadu’s universities, saying, “Our universities will now be cleansed and taken to a new level under the chancellorship of the Government!”

The legal battle culminated on April 8, when the Supreme Court reprimanded Governor RN Ravi for his delay in granting assent to the 10 Bills. The Court termed his actions “illegal” and “arbitrary,” asserting that the Governor could not reserve Bills for the President after withholding assent.

A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan ruled that the Governor’s decision to withhold assent and forward the Bills to the President was “illegal and arbitrary,” setting aside all such actions. The Court also clarified that the Bills would be deemed cleared from the date they were re-presented to the Governor.

In response to the Supreme Court’s verdict, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his support for the ruling, emphasizing that it was a significant step towards the autonomy of the state legislature. He stated, “This is a monumental victory for the people of Tamil Nadu and a triumph of democracy.”

The Supreme Court’s judgment has set a new benchmark, reiterating that Governors must act in “good faith” and in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 200 of the Constitution, with no discretionary power to withhold assent indefinitely.