RN Ravi’s statements and stand on various subjects are disturbing the political balance
RN Ravi’s statements and stand on various subjects are disturbing the political balance
In the nine months he has occupied the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan, Governor RN Ravi, unlike most of his predecessors, has shown no hesitation in campaigning for ideological and policy positions that go against the Dravidian school of political thought. While some who had held the functions of governor in the past had shown scholarship, many confined themselves to attending ceremonies and delivering speeches. He rarely pushed a counter-ideological narrative, even when the ruling parties in the state were opposed to the party running the central government. However, Mr. Ravi, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, has disrupted this political balance by openly taking the opposite stand and speaking his mind on issues he loves.
Earlier this month, he said: “[Lord] Ayyappa Seva is Rashtra Seva (National Service). There should be no doubt because this nation, India, was created by our rishis and rishis, who explained and expanded the truth in our Vedas, which became our Sanatan Dharma. It is Sanatan Dharma which has created this India.” Questioning the notion that unity in diversity is a constitutional construct, he said, “It is not so. The Constitution does not embody the soul of India. The Constitution governs India. India was born thousands of years before the constitution was written… Sanatan Dharma has to be upheld for the sake of the world, humanity.”
His defense of Sanatana Dharma made waves in rationalist discourse-dominated Tamil Nadu, which has for decades opposed it politically on the grounds that it perpetuates varnasrama dharma (caste-related occupations). Leaders like Thol Thirumavalavan of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi have been accusing the BJP of trying to make Sanatan Dharma the constitution of the country. DMK treasurer TR Balu said Such statements are indecent to a person holding a constitutional position and who should propagate secular principles.
on Sunday, The Governor said: “Sanatan Dharma is the backbone of India”. In a candid reply to Mr Balu’s statement, he said vested interests have created the impression that secularism, as defined in the Constitution, has nothing to do with religion. “It is a mischievous and distorted interpretation. Political interpretation has put the institutions which are supposed to take religion forward very hard. Religion is all-encompassing and inclusive,” he said.
On policy matters, Sri Ravi has been continuously campaigning for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has been rejected by the state. Not only does he feel that this is the right time to implement the policy, but he has also publicly called on Higher Education Minister K.K. Ponmudi said, “I would suggest that [that you] Please go through NEP. You see the vast vistas that open up to it. ,
Mr. Ravi has also made political remarks on subjects outside the purview of his office. Last month, he termed the Popular Front of India as “a very dangerous organization whose aim is to destabilize the country”.
The ruling DMK, through its party mouthpiece Murasoli, has at times expressed disapproval of the governor’s views, with a section of academicians also opposing his stand. In a recent letter, PB Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary of the State Platform for Common School System (Tamil Nadu), urged the governor to uphold the Constitution and “respect the mandate of the people and assert himself in countering the policy position of the duly elected”. urged to stop the inclusion of the Government”.
Meanwhile, the state government is awaiting the assent of the governor for 21 bills passed by the Legislative Assembly that were sent to the Raj Bhavan several months ago.