Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has warned that those attempting to stop him from exercising his powers under the Constitution could be put in prison, Times of India has reported.

A statement from Chennai Raj Bhavan on Sunday (24 June) said the governor's office is protected under Indian Penal Code section 124 and attempts to exercise his authority or overawe him "will be punished with imprisonment upto 7 years".

The statement follows a black flag demonstration by the DMK during Purohit's visit to Namakkal district. Nearly 200 workers were arrested. Following this, DMK working President M K Stalin staged a demonstration in front of Raj Bhavan on 24 June. He was arrested and Guindy police have registered a case against him.

The DMK is questioning the governor's meetings with district officials, saying it is interference in state administration. Purohit, who has been holding 'familiarisation' meetings with officials from the time he assumed charge, has justified his meetings. He has said that the meetings, wrongly portrayed by the DMK, was part of his efforts to understand the features and characteristics of the state administration besides understanding people's problem.

DMK critics wonder if an opposition leader can question or protest against a Governor and under what powers.