Accused in the petrol bomb attack on the Governor's house in Tamil Nadu
A history sheeter threw a petrol bomb towards main gate of the Chennai Guindy Raj Bhavan, which is shocking and indicates the deplorable law and order situation in the State. Such an act of violence clearly exhibits that fact that neither the common man nor the constitutional head of the State is safe.
Ever since the DMK came to power in 2021, it has been waging a cold war with TN governors. Earlier, it was Banwarilal Purohit who was targeted and was shifted to Punjab. In his place, former intelligence officer RN Ravi assumed the position of governor of Tamil Nadu. DMK government has been accusing him of keeping important files pending without giving his nod. One of them was anti-NEET bill. Actually, he had raised some queries, sought some clarifications, and returned the bill. Instead of heeding his advice, the recalcitrant DMK government passed the same resolution without any changes pointed out by the governor. It is now pending with the President and being forwarded to Central Government for its views.
Tensions have been high between the MK Stalin government and Governor Ravi since January, when Ravi omitted certain portions of text during his customary address to the state assembly. There have been other flashpoints since then as well, including when the governor allegedly suggested changing the name of the state to ‘Tamilagam’.
Governor Ravi crossed swords with them ideologically, also debunking their false narratives like the Aryan Dravidan theory and the British government’s divide and rule policies. He said “the translation of Thirukkural by G.U.Pope was done with a colonial objective to trivialise the spiritual wisdom of India”. Yesterday, speaking at a function in Trichy, “An attempt has been made and a concerted attempt has been made in this state to erase the history of this place, to write a parallel history of this place. They have created a false narrative of racial divide, the Dravidian-Aryan race, but by the way, who was the father of this theory who gave this Dravidian theory that Dravidian is a separate race, it was Robert Cardwell. Robert Caldwell was the one who wrote the grammar of the Dravidian language, and he tried to create a theory and a hypothesis that Dravidians are a separate race… one of the mandates of the British government was to evangelise India, to kill the culture and spirituality of India”.
He also said “British Government served as a convenient platform for prominent figures within the Dravidian Movement to advocate for the creation of a separate Tamil nation. Leaders such as EVR, Annadurai, and Karunanidhi, all proponents of Dravidian racial ideologies, held Robert Caldwell in high regard, even considering him akin to a God. They extensively employed his unfounded Dravidian theories to support their campaign for a separate Tamil Nation. Those who collaborated with the British to defeat the national movement are now shy about talking about the national freedom movement and the national freedom warriors. These are all matters of record”.
Responding to his speech, former union minister and DMK MP T R Baalu, in a strongly worded statement, said several bills, including anti-neet legislation, were not cleared, which he is duty-bound to do. But he has been criticising the duly elected government, which is against the sentiments of the people of the state. This is against the Constitution. He acts like a politician, a representative of the RSS, and piece of the central government. Without knowing the tradition and culture of the state, he has been blabbering irrelevant things. He is enjoying life at taxpayer’s money. He should halt activities that amounted to betrayal of the people. He should follow the principles of Thirukkural ”. At the end of the statement, TR Baalu warned the Governor “not to open his month” and should resign; join some political parties to carry on its agenda”. DMK allies have also been mounting a scathing attack on the governor.
Exactly 24 hours after TR Baalu’s threatening statement asking him to shut his mouth or face consequences, the petrol bombing incident took place. Now people are linking the same and suspecting the ruling party behind this. “ Is it a warning to mend ways ? if not it is clear evidence of worsening law and order. Police force is being misused to government’s vendetta politics and to arrest opponents particularly BJP and sangh parivar and removing its party flag poles etc “ they pointed out
To lend credence to their doubts, the rowdy , ‘Karukka’ Vinod, who hurled a petrol bomb at the governor’s residence, had previously thrown a Molotov cocktail outside Kamalalayam (BJP Tamil Nadu headquarter),earlier in February 2022. Reports have stated that Vinod is a history sheeter with a track record of violence, ‘Karukka’ Vinod petrol-bombed the BJP Tamil Nadu headquarters located in T Nagar in Chennai.
According to reports, the incident occurred at approximately 2:45 pm on October 2 (Wednesday), with Vinod was tasked to throw the bomb in the vicinity of the main gate of Raj Bhavan, frequently used by Governor RN Ravi. It is a high security zone and busy thoroughfare. It is suspected that some politically connected, highly well-connected people could be behind him. Otherwise, he would not take risks in such misadventures. On hearing the incident, a team of forensic experts investigated the place by collecting the fragments of the bomb shattered over the place.
Raj Bhavan release stated an attack was made this afternoon. Miscreants carrying molotov cocktail tried to enter Raj bhavan but alert security personnel thwarted their attempt. But they threw two petrol bombs and fled.
Chennai Commissioner of Police, Sandeep Rai Rathore, said that the accused man has been arrested. Police sources said, “The man, identified as one Vinod, will be sent for an examination of his mental health.”
Taking to X handle, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said, “these continuous attacks only leave one to think that the DMK government is sponsoring these attacks. Thiru @mkstalin will now be preparing for the next diversion, as he always does.
Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, Ex-MLC, Tnbjp State Co-incharge said, “I strongly condemn the attack by throwing a petrol bomb on Raj Bhavan today. It reflects the true law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. Previously, the same person who attacked BJP Tamil Nadu Headquarters kamalaalayam in Chennai in February 2022 is held responsible for the attack on Raj Bhavan today. This is the sorry state of law and order. Is this the Dravidian model? All peace-loving, democratic-loving citizens should condemn this hurling of petrol bombs on Raj bhavan”
“ This is serious. It looks like they themselves are instigating a dismissal before the truths about economic offences tumble out, says senior journalist Narasimhan in his FB post. “The sources of fund are slowly being closed by the Centre government using ED, IT and fear the arrest of members of the first family is imminent. The confused party top, sans any wiser counselling, indulging in such things by which they themselves dig the pit” reasons out journalist Praveen.
In April last year, a convoy of Governor RN Ravi in Mayiladuthurai was attacked with stones, logs, and iron rods. Referring to the letter of Governor’s Aide-de-Camp to the state Director General of Police, Stalin said the Governor’s convoy passed unharmed, though a group of people staged black flag demonstrations. It was a clear case of compromise on his security.
TN BJP vice president Naryanan Tirupathi condemned the incident of throwing bombs. Let them stop this story that he did it as the governor, not giving a nod to anti-NEET bill. It is the duty of the Police Commissioner of Chennai to find out the people behind him . Shall the TN government realise Raj bhavan has been attacked and the seriousness of worsening law and order situation”.
Tamil mainstream media, quoting police sources, had reported the incident, peddling that Vinod committed the act to protest against the BJP’s position on NEET. The BJP had demanded a probe by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) after several reports of attacks against the party’s cadres. The party also complained about the need for the police to clean the place before forensics team collected evidence.
The incident comes in the backdrop of the Tamil Nadu governor returning a state government proposal for the appointment of former Director General of Police C Sylendra Babu as the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). Notably, this is the second time the governor has declined this recommendation. When the initial recommendation was submitted shortly after Sylendra Babu’s retirement at the end of June, Ravi raised questions about the selection criteria for Babu and other candidates for the position. He also sought clarification on whether the guidelines of the Supreme Court had been adhered to. Ravi said the recommendations were inconsistent with constitutional provisions and propriety.
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