CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu journalists have demanded an unconditioned apology from Governor Banwarilal Purohit for patting the cheek of a senior lady journalist at the end of a press conference.

The journalist, Lakshmi Subramaniam, has tweeted a picture in which the Governor is seen patting her cheek at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday and expressed her shock over his conduct.

The Governor met the media to deny as untrue allegations of a so-called sex scandal at a leading university in the state. 

As the press conference ended, the Governor patted the cheek of Subramaniam, triggering outrage. She denounced Purohit's conduct.

Journalists promptly drafted a letter informing the Governor that his conduct amounted to a non-bailable criminal offence. 

"As the Constitutional head of our state of Tamil Nadu, you have crossed the lines of not just basic courtesy but also those of law," read the letter to the Governor.

They pointed out that whatever his intention, he had violated the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi tweeted: "Even if the intention is above suspicion, violating a woman journalist's personal space does not reflect the dignity or the respect which should be shown to any human being."

The journalists had sought an unconditional apology from the Governor and an assurance that he will desist from behaving in this manner in future.