Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi spoke in detail about social discrimination based on a person's caste that is still prevalent in various parts of the state. He also referred to the Sanatan Dharma controversy later in his speech and said that it cannot be eradicated.
RN Ravi was attending the Siva Kulathar Cultural event organised by the Tamizh Seva Sangam at Ozhugacheri hamlet near Anaikkarai in Thanjavur where he said that he has come across several incidents of caste discrimination taking place in the state which is 'shameful'. He reportedly said, "our youth are wearing caste bands (wrist bands of various colours to identify their castes). How shameful it is that a state (government) which talks about social justice and makes so much politics about social justice, has been exploiting people in the name of caste."
Ravi mentioned that reading news regarding people from Scheduled castes facing issues like being banned from entering temples, putting human excreta in water tanks and children from minority communities getting discriminated against in schools.
He also said that these evil practices can be eradicated with social reform and not by vote bank politics.
He mentioned that 'Bharatiya Dharma' will be able to bring social and spiritual equality among citizens and help to reform society.
Ravi alleged that the concept of Bharat which is built on equality was threatened and attempts were made to weaken it during the British era and later in the name of vote bank politics.
The Governor reportedly also said during his speech, “Some people say they are out to eradicate Sanatana] Dharma. They have been trying it since the days of their ancestors. They cannot succeed in their attempts since this Dharma does not exist only in temples but in the DNA of the Bharathiyans (Indians)."
Reactions to TN Ravi's speech
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Saravanan Annadurai reacted to Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi's 'social discrimination in the state' remarks as he reportedly said, "The Governor is indulging in false propaganda as he is not able to stomach the growth the ‘Dravidian’ model of governance has achieved. He is against ‘Dravidian’ ideology, and he promotes ‘Sanatan’ ideology as wherever he goes, he speaks about virtues of ‘Sanatan Dharma’, but the ‘Sanatan Dharma’ is responsible for the caste system."
Another DMK leader Kanimozhi addressed the media and in her response to TN Ravi's speech, she said, "He should go back and read history, because the first Amendment for reservation was brought by Tamil Nadu. Social justice is creating an inclusive world. Social justice means that it gives a level-playing ground for everybody."
BJP leader Narayan Thirupathy reportedly said, "He (Governor RN Ravi) is right as we have seen in the last few years so many discriminatory practices being adopted in Tamil Nadu, where the Dravidian parties had said that they have eradicated caste, but it is not so"
Samajwadi Party leader Abbas Haidar told PTI, "I believe that the post of Governor is a constitutional post, and not a representative of the central government. The one sitting on such post should avoid making political statements."
