Tamil Nadu CM Stalin and Governor RN Ravi
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Edappadi K Palaniswami among others, have strongly condemned the omission of ‘Dravidam’ in the state’s song at an event attended by Governor RN Ravi.
On Friday, 18 October, the completion of the Hindi month was celebrated at Doordarshan Chennai when the Tamil Nadu Governor got into a controversy yet again over the Dravidian language.
In the state’s song ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu,’ when the lyrics came to “Thekkanumum Athirsirantha Dravidarnal Thirunadum” (The greatest Dravidian land), largely associated with Tamil people’s prideful identity, was left out.
Criticising the Governor for its omission, the CM wrote to PM Modi, stating that excluding the word violates Tamil Nadu’s law.
Claiming that RN Ravi willfully insulted the country’s unity, MK Stalin wrote on X, “A person who does not act according to the law and acts according to his will is not fit to hold that office in the state. The Governor criticised Tamil Nadu and its language in the pretext of celebrating the country.”
Saying that Ravi suffers from “Dravidian allergy,” Stalin said that the “Union government should immediately recall the Governor who is deliberately insulting Tamil Nadu and the sentiments of the people in the state.”
ஆளுநரா? ஆரியநரா?
திராவிடம் என்ற சொல்லை நீக்கி, தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்தைப் பாடுவது தமிழ்நாட்டின் சட்டத்தை மீறுவதாகும்!
சட்டப்படி நடக்காமல், இஷ்டப்படி நடப்பவர் அந்தப் பதவி வகிக்கவே தகுதியற்றவர்.
இந்தியைக் கொண்டாடும் போர்வையில் நாட்டின் ஒருமைப்பாட்டையும் இந்த மண்ணில் வாழும் பல்வேறு… pic.twitter.com/NzS2O7xDTz
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 18, 2024
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Political leaders criticise
AIADMK leader and LoP Edappadi K Palaniswami also condemned the omission. He called it a grave mistake and emphasised the significance of the word “Dravidian” to the people of Tamil Nadu. He also referred to it as “the light of life” and a symbol of resistance against oppression.
இன்று சென்னை தொலைக்காட்சி நிலையத்தில் மேதகு ஆளுநர் கலந்து கொண்ட நிகழ்ச்சியில் பெருமைக்குரிய தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்து பாடும் பொழுது அஃதில் வரக்கூடிய
“தெக்கணமும் அதிற்சிறந்த திராவிட நல் திருநாடும்”
என்ற வரிகள் புறக்கணிக்கப்பட்டது
மாபெரும் தவறாகும்.
இச்செயல் மிகவும்…— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) October 18, 2024
Congress leader Selvaperunthagai echoed the sentiment, questioning whether the organisers of DD Tamil acted to appease the Governor by skipping the line. He pointed out that the word “Dravidian” is present in the national anthem as well.
In response to the uproar, the Tamil Nadu Governor’s House announced that appropriate action would be taken regarding the matter. Thirugnana Sambandam, media and communication adviser to the Governor, clarified that the omission was inadvertent and that the Governor holds the Tamil language and sentiments of the state in high regard.
Doordarshan’s Tamil division, which was broadcasting under the name ‘Pothikai’, was rebranded as ‘DD Tamil’ in January 2024. The release of its logo – in saffron colour – sparked protests across in Tamil Nadu.
What the Governor said
After the event Tamil Nadu Governor RN ravi commented on the CM and other political leaders’ remarks. Taking to X, he defended himself by saying that “He (CM) knows it well that I recite full Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu at every function and do so with reverence, pride and precision.”
Talking about what he and the BJP government has done for uplifting Tamil, he said that both the PM and the “Central govt has proudly created several institutions for spread of Tamil language and heritage within India. As a proud Indian, I have taken numerous substantive initiatives to spread Tamil, in other states of the country.”
Responding to what CM Stalin said, he further wrote, “Making racist remark and alleging incorrect imputations against governor by the chief minister is unfortunately cheap and lowers the dignity of the high constitutional office of the chief minister.”
“Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. @mkstalin has issued a regrettable tweet this evening in which he made a racist remark against me and levelled false allegation of showing disrespect to Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu. He knows it well that I recite full Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu at every…
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) October 18, 2024
(Edited by Neena)
