Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi voiced concerns over the state’s university curriculum, stating it emphasizes colonial rulers over Bharatiya freedom fighters. Speaking at Raj Bhavan during the launch of The Battles of Panchalankurichi by P. Senthil Kumar, Governor Ravi highlighted the absence of Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters in academic materials, noting figures such as Veerapandiya Kattabomman and the Marudhu brothers, who made significant sacrifices for India’s independence, are overlooked.
He urged educational institutions to honor local heroes in their syllabi to foster greater national pride and awareness of Bharatiya contributions.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi expressed disappointment with the state’s university syllabus, which he claims glorifies British colonial rule while sidelining the contributions of local freedom fighters. During a speech at the Raj Bhavan, he shared that, as Chancellor, he reviewed undergraduate and postgraduate syllabi for history, political science, and literature. “The 19th-century history taught in our colleges is full of praise for the British, while the 20th century focuses primarily on the Dravidian movement and its leaders, with no mention of heroes like Kattabomman or the Marudhu brothers,” Ravi stated.
Ravi further highlighted a startling response from officials, who cited only 30 freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu, contrasting this with Nagaland, where he said “thousands of freedom fighters” joined India’s independence movement. Criticizing British tactics, he pointed to James Mill, who was commissioned to write Indian history without ever setting foot in Bharat, portraying Indians as “cowards, fit to be slaves” and praising Europeans as superior. Ravi urged for a re-evaluation of curricula to celebrate Bharatiya figures and their sacrifices for independence.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi voiced strong criticism over the inclusion of James Mill’s book in Indian school and college curricula, noting that British officials, trained on Mill’s portrayal of Indians as “cowards” and “fit to be slaves,” perpetuated this narrative throughout the colonial administration. Speaking at Raj Bhavan, Ravi explained that British recruits studied Mill’s text as part of their examinations and entered Indian institutions with this biased mindset, as the British government ensured his book was part of the curriculum in schools, colleges, and universities. He argued this indoctrination damaged generations of Indian self-respect, as locals, too, studied Mill’s work to secure jobs under British rule, reinforcing the belief that British culture and governance were superior.
Governor Ravi added that in the 19th century, British colonial rule led to the enslavement of ten lakh Indians, who were transported to countries like Burma, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, and Mauritius. These laborers were subjected to brutal conditions, but this dark chapter was erased from history textbooks, which instead glorified British rule as a “golden era” and claimed that concepts of social justice were introduced to India by the British—a notion still upheld in some narratives today. Ravi urged the need for a revised curriculum that accurately reflects these historical realities and honors Bharatiya heritage and resilience.
Governor RN Ravi emphasised that if a society forgets its heroes and martyrs, it risks losing its future, labeling such a society as ungrateful and lacking a bright path ahead. Ravi remarked that thousands who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom deeply unsettled the British, and yet the narrative taught often credits only hunger strikes for India’s independence—a portrayal he contended as incomplete.
Highlighting the need for a more authentic history of India’s freedom struggle, Ravi noted that many freedom fighters remain unsung and unknown across the country. He pointed out that while non-violence played a significant role, it’s essential to recognize the sacrifices made by countless individuals who gave their lives for freedom. Ravi expressed his hope that the full story, including the early battles like the Battle of Panchalankurichi, will be documented and shared in Hindi and other Indian languages, ensuring that the country understands this pivotal struggle as part of its true legacy of independence.
He remarked that during colonial rule, only the British held the authority to shape history in their favor. As a result, our ancestors preserved their legacy through folk songs, stories, and fables, maintaining a true account of their experiences and struggles. “Let us not underestimate the value of these folk tales,” he said, “for they hold an essential place in our history.”
The Governor also voiced concern over deliberate efforts to erase freedom fighters from public memory. He urged a committed effort to document India’s freedom struggle more thoroughly, ensuring that the stories of those forgotten heroes are remembered and honored.
