The relationship between Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and the state's DMK-led government continues to be strained, marked by accusations, rebuttals, and ideological clashes. Recent events highlight the deepening divide and the core issues fueling the conflict.
Governor Ravi has consistently criticized the DMK government, particularly concerning social justice issues and alleged discrimination against Dalits. During an Ambedkar Jayanti address, Ravi stated he was "pained by the plight of our Dalit brothers and sisters" in Tamil Nadu, citing instances of caste-based discrimination and systemic failures. He pointed to rising crimes against Dalits, a low conviction rate for such crimes, and the disproportionate impact of issues like the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy on the Dalit community. Ravi also raised concerns about the quality of public education, claiming that many Dalit students lack basic literacy skills despite being passed and admitted to colleges.
These remarks have been met with strong condemnation from the DMK. Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan dismissed the Governor's claims as "pure lies," arguing that BJP-ruled states have a significantly worse record on caste-based atrocities. He accused Ravi of being an "ambassador for Sanatan Dharma and Manu's principles," which he claims are responsible for caste discrimination. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai criticized Ravi for acting like a "Hindutva fanatic" and undermining the country's secular values, especially after the Governor urged students to chant "Jai Shri Ram" at a Madurai event.
The DMK has also accused Governor Ravi of deliberately delaying the implementation of laws and obstructing the state's development, acting as a "BJP spokesperson." This accusation is fueled by Ravi's decision to withhold assent to 10 key bills, which the Supreme Court later deemed "illegal" and "arbitrary." The court's ruling was a significant victory for the DMK, with Chief Minister MK Stalin describing it as "historic" and a win for state autonomy and federal polity. The DMK has since formed a committee to review measures to protect states' rights and rebalance the federal structure.
Recently, the conflict escalated further when Governor Ravi alleged that the state government intimidated vice-chancellors of state universities to prevent them from attending a conference he organized. Ravi claimed that the police's special branch warned the VCs against participating, with one VC allegedly being questioned at a police station. DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson vehemently denied these allegations, calling them "false statements that tend to excite subversive activities against the government." He argued that the VCs boycotted the conference because they understood that Ravi's intention was to "poison our universities with a particular ideology and politicize them."
These events reflect a deep-seated ideological clash between Governor Ravi and the DMK government. Ravi's perceived alignment with Hindutva ideology and the BJP clashes with the DMK's Dravidian identity and commitment to social justice. The DMK views Ravi's actions as an attempt to undermine the state's autonomy and impose a political agenda.
The ongoing conflict raises questions about the role of the Governor in a federal system and the balance of power between the state and the central government. The Supreme Court's intervention in the bill assent issue underscores the importance of upholding constitutional principles and preventing gubernatorial overreach. The DMK's determination to protect states' rights and its criticism of the Governor's actions suggest that the conflict is likely to persist.
