TKS Elangovan, the spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, strongly criticized Governor RN Ravi's recent statements regarding the treatment of freedom fighters in the state. While addressing UPSC aspirants in Trichy, Governor Ravi expressed concerns about the erasure of history and the relegation of Tamil Nadu's freedom fighters to the status of "caste leaders." He also touched upon the Aryan-Dravidian theory.
Elangovan called on Governor Ravi to step outside Raj Bhavan and observe the neighboring buildings, all constructed in honor of freedom fighters by the DMK government. Elangovan remarked, "Let him come out of Raj Bhavan and see the neighboring buildings. All were built in the name of freedom fighters. It was all done by the DMK government right from Gandhi Mandapam. This man (Governor) doesn’t know what Tamil Tamil is." He later added, "He is from the North and he doesn’t even know Sanskrit. He does not know history and blabbers."
The DMK leader stated that the Governor's comments revealed his lack of knowledge about Tamil Nadu and accused him of attempting to foment unrest in the state, much like his previous tenure in Nagaland. Elangovan remarked, "The problem with this governor is that he wants to create what he did in his earlier tenure in the North Eastern State of Nagaland. He (Ravi) was the Governor and he was chased out of the state. That is what he is doing here. He doesn’t know anything. He only exposes his ignorance."
In response to Governor Ravi's allegations that Pasumpon Muthurmalingam and Marudu Pandiyar had been reduced to the status of caste leaders, Elangovan vehemently denied these claims, emphasizing the contributions of these figures to social justice and equality.
Regarding Ravi's statements about the Aryan-Dravidian divide, Elangovan highlighted the extensive research and scholarship on the topic and criticized the Governor's apparent lack of understanding of Dravidian history and culture. Elangovan concluded by saying, "Many scholars came here (Tamil Nadu) and read books here. In the 10th Century, Adishankarar, while talking about Thirugnyanasambandar, said ‘Dravida sisu.’ Let him read all those things. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word Dravidian. He is from the North and he doesn’t even know Sanskrit. He does not know history and blabbers."
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu's Higher Education Minister, K Ponmudi, also questioned the Governor's commitment to honoring freedom fighters and suggested that he allow the felicitation of freedom fighter Sankaraiah with an honorary doctorate degree, given his period of imprisonment and contributions to the freedom struggle.
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