DMK takes exception to TN Guv's remarks on Dravidian rule, asks him not to speak like a BJP functionary

DMK MP TR Baalu said the Governor, who was talking about Sanatana Dharma and regressive thoughts, has begun to make statements like a politician

Taking strong objection to Governor R N Ravi’s reported remarks that Dravidian parties have “cheated” people of Tamil Nadu for 50 years, the ruling DMK on Thursday asked him to stop talking like the head of the BJP’s state unit and told him to quit his Constitutional post if his only intention is to make political statements.

DMK treasurer and party’s floor leader in Lok Sabha, T R Baalu, said the Governor, who was hitherto talking about Sanatana Dharma and regressive thoughts has now begun to make his statements like a politician.

“It is highly condemnable that a person who holds a Constitutional post makes such statements from the Raj Bhavan which should have been made from the podium of Kamalalayam, the HQ of Tamil Nadu BJP. Let him quit as Governor and make such ridiculous statement. He is making a mockery of the law,” Baalu said in a statement.

Local media quoted Governor Ravi as saying at an event on Wednesday that Tamil Nadu has been practicing “regressive politics” and Tamils think they are Dravidians and “not part of Bharat.” The Governor’s remarks triggered the latest round of attack from the DMK, which has been quite vocal in demanding his recall for continuously going against Constitution by talking about Sanatana Dharma.

If the Governor’s remarks on Sanatana Dharma, Dravidianism, Arianism, and Thirukkural demonstrated his thinking which is in line with RSS ideology, the latest remarks on Dravidian rule has only displayed BJP’s “ulterior political motive,” Baalu said.

He also implied that if people of Tamil Nadu had been cheated how are states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are still behind. “The people of Tamil Nadu know the state’s growth. The state contributes to 9.22 per cent of the country’s GDP and its share in the Union Government’s tax revenue is six per cent. Tamil Nadu’s share in total exports from India is 8.4 per cent and it is 32.5 per cent (car exports), and 19.4 (textiles exports),” Baalu added.

Baalu also wanted to know whether the Governor was talking out of “anger” that Tamil Nadu has grown like it has in the past 50 years. “Why does he get angry at the word Dravidianism? Why does the word hurt him?” the DMK leader asked, and it was only after the Dravidian movement, people from all walks of life got access to education and jobs.

“Since the BJP already has a chief for the state unit, we would like to tell the Governor that it will be better if he functions under the Constitutional mandate rather than functioning as another president of Tamil Nadu BJP,” Baalu added.

Referring to Ravi’s statement that “everyone is Indian”, Baalu asked the Governor will he muster courage to condemn the “hate politics” that prevails in India.