The DMK and its allies, including VCK, and the Left, condemned TN Governor RN Ravi for his Sanatan Dharma comments and visiting temples but are silent when a district collector gifted a book “Ariyappadatha Christhavam” (untold facts of Christianity) to CM M. K. Stalin. Is it secular for them? asks BJP.
On June 8, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin visited the Pudukottai district to participate in different government engagements. District Collector of Pudukottai Kavitha Ramu IAS, who was present to welcome the Chief Minister, gifted the book “Ariyappadatha Christhavam” authored by one Nivedita Louis. It talks about the history of Christianity and how the religion spread in Tamil Nadu. It provides details about the old churches of the state, the reformist movements in Christianity, and how Christianity has ‘enriched Tamil culture.
Kavitha, a professional Bharatha Natyam dancer, was handpicked to oversee the cultural events during the Chinese President’s Mahabalipuram visit in 2019.
On June 10, BJP district president PR Selvam Alagappan in a petition sent to the CM’s office by postal service, said, “Presenting this book and writing about it on Facebook show that she [Collector Ramu] is attaching importance to Christianity. We demand action against the collector for indulging in such kind of religious bias… Why did the collector choose a book on the history of the spread of Christianity in Tamil Nadu? Why not a book on Hinduism or Islam?”
Vernacular daily Dinamalar reported that Kavitha Ramu had also made political remarks while sharing the same in her Facebook post. She had reportedly said that Tamil Nadu stands as a pioneer state for unity and religious harmony and that ‘it will never allow religious fundamentalist fascist forces’. She also said in her Facebook post that the Tamil people are a civilized society living in unity and harmony and that the Tamil Nadu Government cares for the religious minorities in the state, adding that the book talks about Christianity and religious harmony becomes important. She added that such books get people’s attention across religions in a state where friendly relations between religious and religious minorities are given their rightful place.
She justified her actions by saying, “The author is my friend. She put a lot of effort into the research. The book traces the religious harmony and cultural confluences in Tamil land.” Kavitha Ramu’s Facebook posts raise questions about whether she is a non-partisan civil servant or a card-carrying DMK member. DMK is indebted to Christians who have voted for it. (Pastor Ponnaiah said it is because of their alms DMK won) CM Stalin acknowledged in a Christmas eve function that it is their government.
Priya Venkat of Shree TV says, “CM Stalin’s talks emboldened her”, which raises the question of whether she is a DMK card holder and a partition civil servant. The book says, “Christians are happy whenever temples are demolished… we run schools only to convert Hindus.”
Priya Venkat quoted Ananda Rangam Pillai, chief interpreter to Governor Dupleix of Pondicherry, who recorded that the Pondicherry Vedapuriswarar temple was demolished by Christians.
In Chennai, Kabaleeswarar was shifted to another place to build Santhome Church. A Hindu temple was razed to the ground to build the Madras High court. Like Mughal invaders, Christians too pulled down Hindu temples.
When there was a furore over Zakhir’s alleged denial of entry to the Srirangam Ranganathar Temple, Kavitha Ramu had put an intimate photo of her with him. There are many such pictures of Kavitha Ramu with Zakir Hussain. One may ask what is wrong if one dancer takes a picture with another? imagine the reaction from Dravidian Stockists if a District Collector posted such pictures with an acclaimed BJP member. In January this year, she had openly supported the DMK’s propaganda on NEET word for word, calling it anti-poor and an exam favouring the privileged. Kavitha Ramu can be seen in another picture raising the black flag donning a t-shirt having the face of an anti-Hindu bigot who had called for the genocide of Tamil Brahmins. Her open adulation of the late DMK patriarch Karunanidhi affirms her political inclinations.
On March 26, 2022, the IAS officer posted a picture on FB when an alleged Bharata Natyam dancer accompanied CM Stalin on his extravagant Dubai trip. Another Bharatha Natyam dancer, Zakir Hussain, is a card-carrying member of the DMK who joined the party in January 2021. He was appointed as an advisor for the 17 district music schools under the Tamil Nadu Government in January 2022.
Not only Kavitha Ramu, but there are certain IAS officers like Uma Shankar who turned a preacher into propagating Christianity in the state. Most of CM Stalin’s secretariat officers and in strategically important key positions are Christians. It is said that ADGP, Intelligence, S Davidson Devasirvatham calls shots in the police force. There are numerous cryptos in the government in Hindu names.
Rule 5 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, states that no member of the All India Service shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organization which takes
part in politics, nor shall the person take part in, or subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or political activity.
Former ABVP president Dr Subbaiah was suspended, and disciplinary action was initiated for visiting puzhal jail, where ABVP cadres were housed. There are no different rules for the same crime. By openly promoting and associating herself with one party, the IAS officer is violating the conduct of a civil servant. Her father was also a staunch DMK supporter. The Pudukottai BJP has presented Kavitha Ramu with a set of book–Arthamulla Hindu Matham (A meaningful Hindu Religion) written by lyrist Kannadasan and asked her to read it.
