Chennai: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Governor RN Ravi, suggesting that he should free himself from divisive forces and perform duties according to the Constitution. The war of words stem from the omission of a line from the Tamil Nadu anthem that was played at an event in Chennai on Friday.
Further ramping up the attack, Stalin said the governor should refrain from turning the Raj Bhavan into a political party’s office, alleging he was showing the Dravidian race in a poor light.
What is the Tamil Anthem controversy?
During the valedictory event of Hindi month at the Doordarshan Tamil office on Friday evening, where the governor was present, the troupe performing the “Tamil Thai Valthu” inadvertently skipped a line of the anthem. Doordarshan Kendra later issued a clarification and an apology.
The omitted line, “Thekkanamum Adhil sirantha Dravida Nal Thiru naadum,” highlights the greatness of the Dravidian land in the Deccan region.
As controversy erupted over the commission mentioning the word “Dravida”, Stalin questioned why the governor immediately objected to the miss in his presence.
இந்தி மாதக் கொண்டாட்ட நிறைவு விழாவில் பாடப்பட்ட தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்தில், ‘தெக்கணமும் அதிற்சிறந்த திராவிடநல் திருநாடும்’ என்ற வரியைப் பாடாமல் விட்டதற்கு, எனது கடும் கண்டனத்திற்குப் பதிலளித்துள்ள மாண்புமிகு ஆளுநருக்குச் சில கேள்விகள்:
‘தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்தை முழுமையாக… https://t.co/IaLMWrxBde
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 18, 2024
“You say you can sing Tamil Thai Valthu with complete devotion, but why did you not immediately condemn when the singers missed a line pertaining to Dravida?” the chief minister asked Ravi in a post on X.
Governor Ravi responded to the criticism on Friday, he said efforts were being made to isolate Tamil Nadu from the rest of India based on language, and warned that such attempts would not succeed. He also alleged that Tamil Nadu is the only state in the country resisting the inclusion of other Indian languages in the three-language formula, while 27 other states have embraced the policy.
Responding sharply to the governor’s remarks, Chief Minister Stalin stated, “You mentioned it was regrettable and cheap for a chief minister to make racist comments against a governor with false allegations. Governor, Tamil is our race, it is our lifeblood.”
Protests took place in the state on Saturday against the governor over the issue with many alleging that the incident is reflective of the Centre trying to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu and Ravi acting against the interests of the people.
#WATCH | Chennai: Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam cadres protest against Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. pic.twitter.com/YF3B6yCKWL
— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2024
