At the 32nd convocation ceremony of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, a PhD scholar, Jean Joseph, made a bold statement by refusing to accept her degree from the state's Governor, RN Ravi. Instead, she walked past the Governor and received it from the university's Vice-Chancellor, N. Chandrasekar. The incident, which took place on August 13, 2025, has ignited social media and drawn attention to the strained relationship between the Governor and the Tamil Nadu government.
Jean Joseph, who earned her doctorate in Business Administration, stated that her decision was motivated by Governor Ravi's actions, which she believes are against the interests of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil people. A video of the ceremony shows her bypassing the Governor, who was the chief guest, and accepting the degree from the Vice-Chancellor. Governor Ravi is seen smiling and gesturing for her to stand beside him, but she intentionally walks past him. He then nods in acknowledgement of her choice.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some praising Jean Joseph's courage and others criticizing her for disrespect. Supporters view her actions as a bold expression of dissent against the Governor's perceived overreach, while critics argue that a university convocation is not the appropriate platform for political protest.
Jean Joseph is reportedly the wife of M. Rajan, Deputy Secretary of the DMK's Nagercoil town unit. This connection has led political observers to link her actions to the ongoing political standoff between the ruling DMK and Governor Ravi. The DMK and Governor Ravi have a history of disagreements over legislative approvals, policy matters, and university appointments.
The tension between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor Ravi has been simmering for quite some time. The Governor has faced criticism for delaying assent to bills passed by the state legislature. In one instance, the Supreme Court had to intervene, deeming the Governor's decision to withhold assent to 10 key bills as "illegal" and "arbitrary".
In April 2025, Governor Ravi sparked controversy by allegedly asking students at a college event in Madurai to chant "Jai Shri Ram". This drew condemnation from political leaders and academic bodies, with some accusing him of acting like an RSS spokesperson and violating constitutional principles.
Furthermore, the Governor has been accused of obstructing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors to state universities. The state's Higher Education Minister, Govi Chezhiaan, has alleged that the Governor's actions are politically motivated and against the interests of the students. The Governor's insistence on including a UGC nominee in the search committees for VC appointments has also been a point of contention.
The relationship between the Governor and the state government has affected the functioning of universities, with several institutions operating without Vice-Chancellors. Academicians have expressed concern that the ongoing conflict is hindering the progress and development of higher education in Tamil Nadu.
Despite the tensions, some observers emphasize the need for collaboration between the Governor and the state government to address the challenges facing higher education. They suggest that both sides set aside their differences and work together to create a robust educational framework that prepares the youth for the future.
