CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s has stated that secularism is a “European concept” that does not align with India’s cultural framework. Speaking at an event in Kanyakumari on Sunday, September 22, Governor Ravi criticised the inclusion of the term “secular” in the Indian Constitution’s Preamble, attributing its insertion to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the 1975 Emergency.
"மதச்சார்பின்மை இந்தியாவுக்கு சரிப்பட்டு வராது"#Kanniyakumari #TNGovernor #RNRavi #RNRaviSpeech #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/GPhQIaHRSo
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) September 23, 2024
Governor Ravi claimed that secularism, which emerged in Europe due to historical conflicts between the Church and the monarchy, is not relevant in the Indian context. He argued that India’s ethos, rooted in “dharma,” does not require the concept of secularism, stating, “Secularism is a European concept, not an Indian one. We don’t need such a concept in India. It originated from Europe because of the fight between the Church and the king.” He further alleged that Indira Gandhi added the word to the Constitution out of political insecurity to appease certain sections of society.
Secularism is part of the Basic Structure of India's Constitution.
Ok… pic.twitter.com/RzIPpvMjA3
— Jameel Gabol (@Leetoo_S) September 24, 2024
The Governor’s comments have drawn sharp responses from political figures, particularly within the Dravidian movement and the Congress Party. Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram responded on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), disputing the Governor’s stance. “He is not correct, but assume he is right. Federalism is also a European concept. Shall we declare that federalism has no place in India?” Chidambaram remarked, emphasizing the significance of adopting global ideas suited to Indian governance.
Similarly, Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticised Governor Ravi’s statements, accusing him of undermining the core principles of the Indian Constitution. “Is the Governor trying to impose a single principle of ‘dharma’ among the pluralistic faiths of India?” Tagore questioned, adding, “This is against our struggle for Independence. Secularism is vital to protect India as a country where all religions live in harmony. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure India remains a secular country.”
தமிழ்நாடு ஆளுநர் ஆர்.என். ரவியின் கருத்துக்கள் இந்தியாவின் அரசியல் அடிப்படைகளை சிதைக்கின்றன என்ற விஷயம் மிகவும் கவலைக்குரியது. சீர்குலையாமல், அனைத்து மதங்களுக்கும் மதிப்பளிக்கும் நாட்டாக இருக்கும் என இந்திய அரசியல் பாகம், *மதச்சார்பின்மை* 1/2
— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) September 23, 2024
He contended that India’s approach to secularism is rooted in the country’s respect for all religions, traditions, and practices, rather than the European model that emerged from conflicts between the Church and the monarchy.
Governor Ravi’s remarks have drawn sharp responses from various political leaders. Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticise the Governor, saying, “Secularism is part of the Basic Structure of India’s Constitution, as the Supreme Court has repeatedly held. A governor who has no faith in the Constitution of India must be removed from office.” She highlighted that secularism, as enshrined in the Constitution, is a core principle of India’s democratic framework.
Former Rajya Sabha member of the DMK, TKS Elangovan, also weighed in on the controversy, strongly disagreeing with Governor Ravi’s assertion that secularism is a foreign concept. Elangovan, as quoted by News18, said, “Secularism is not a European concept, it is an Indian concept as there are many religions in India. India is the motherland of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism. Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe.”
Ravi, known for his outspoken views, has previously sparked criticism from Dravidian parties. In a function at IIT Madras on August 14, the Governor spoke of India’s diversity and unity, claiming that a division in thinking had led to the country’s partition. He also contrasted India’s approach to secularism with Europe’s, stating that “Bharat’s thought is that all are one.”
Governor Ravi’s recent comments on the quality of education in Tamil Nadu have also stirred controversy. He claimed that 75 per cent of students in the state’s government schools were unable to recognize two-digit numbers, describing the education system as being in a “pitiable condition.” This follows a series of remarks in which Ravi criticised what he called attempts to disconnect Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage from the rest of India. He suggested that efforts were being made to create a “different identity” in the state, describing this as a form of “cultural genocide.”
Ravi also expressed concerns about British colonial efforts to distort India’s spiritual history, specifically mentioning GU Pope, who translated the Tirukkural into English. Ravi alleged that the British used such translations to undermine India’s spiritual wisdom and to “colonize the minds” of its people.
