edited by: Oindrila Mukherjee
Last Update: January 20, 2023, 09:23 IST
The year 2023 began with Governor RN Ravi suggesting that ‘Tamizhgam’ is a better name for Tamil Nadu, which led to massive protests across the state. (Image: IANS/File)
Despite past conflicts between governors and ruling parties in Tamil Nadu, recent developments have been unprecedented in the political history of the state.
Controversial Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah thrice in the last nine months and discussed political developments in the state and one-on-one meetings.
Despite past conflicts between governors and ruling parties in Tamil Nadu, recent developments have been unprecedented in the political history of the state.
Governor Vs DMK
The year 2023 began with him addressing a felicitation program for the organizers and volunteers of Kasi Tamil Sangamam at the Raj Bhavan on 4 January, suggesting that ‘Tamizhagam’ is a better name for Tamil Nadu. This led to huge uproar and protests. across the state.
The issue escalated a week later when the governor decided to go off script and dropped references to Dravidianism, names of leaders like BR Ambedkar, Periyar, K Kamaraj, CN Annadurai and K Karunanidhi. Ravi walked out of the assembly in a huff even before the national anthem could be played, drawing sharp criticism from several quarters.
On 13 January, he met President Draupadi Murmu as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and met Shah briefly, days after being walked out of the assembly. According to sources, the meeting with Shah was also to understand why relations between the Raj Bhavan and the Tamil Nadu government had soured and he was asked to bring the situation under control.
Within a week, on 18 January (Wednesday), Ravi met Shah once again as the dispute showed no signs of abating. Amid demands to recall the governor and burn his effigy, Ravi hit back and issued a communiqué from the Raj Bhavan clarifying the ‘Tamizhgam’ controversy. In it, he stated that he had referred to the term in a “historical cultural context”. He also called it “wrong” and “far-fetched” to speculate that he had suggested a name change for the state of Tamil Nadu.
neet controversy
There was also a meeting with Shah in April 2022, soon after the governor met black flag-waving protesters in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. Slogans were raised against them and protesters from DMK, VCK and Left parties expressed disappointment over the delay by the Raj Bhavan in moving the anti-NEET bill for the President’s assent. This bill was passed twice in the state assembly.
In this meeting, Shah took stock of the NEET situation in the state and it was learned that the meeting was important, especially at a time when the BJP is trying to make inroads in the southern state which has always voted in favor of Dravidian parties. ,
Defamation case against DMK worker
On his return to Chennai after his Delhi meeting on Wednesday, Ravi filed a defamation suit against now-suspended DMK worker Shivaji Krishnamurthy.
The case, filed in a Chennai court, is against Krishnamurthy for his alleged use of profanity against the Governor after he left out parts of the speech prepared by the state government. The suspended DMK leader had said that if Ravi could not name Ambedkar, he should go to Kashmir.
Krishnamurthy, while addressing a public meeting immediately after Ravi’s speech, had said, “If you (governor) don’t read the speech given by the Tamil Nadu government, go to Kashmir and we will send terrorists to kill you.” going outside.
The ruling DMK immediately distanced itself from Krishnamurthy and suspended him for “violating party discipline and bringing the party into disrepute”.
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