CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi delivered a scathing evaluation of the state’s governance, highlighting several pressing issues ranging from education and economic decline to caste discrimination and security threats during his Republic Day address on January 26.
Governor Ravi expressed his apprehension over what he termed as “vested interests and inimical forces” working to destabilize the nation. He stated, “While our nation is confidently marching ahead towards becoming a developed Bharat by 2047, there are forces within and outside the country trying to disrupt our progress. They aim to divide society along lines of race, religion, language, and caste, spreading false narratives to weaken our people’s morale and confidence in the Constitution and its institutions.”
The governor urged citizens to remain vigilant against these elements, warning of the potential dangers posed to national unity and integrity.
A significant portion of the speech focused on the deteriorating state of higher education in Tamil Nadu. Governor Ravi painted a grim picture of underfunded universities struggling with staff shortages and poor infrastructure.
Key Issues Highlighted by RN Ravi In His Address
Severe Financial Crunch: Universities are unable to pay salaries to their staff, with some institutions operating at less than 50 per cent of their teacher strength.
Erosion of Autonomy: The governor accused the state secretariat of directly interfering in university operations, undermining the role of syndicates and academic councils.
Substandard Curriculum: He criticized the implementation of a uniform syllabus imposed by the State Government Council for Higher Education, describing it as subpar.
Leadership Vacancies: Many universities are functioning without essential officials, such as Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Controllers of Examinations, for extended periods.
Ravi warned that the declining quality of education is rendering graduates unemployable. He further pointed out that less than 5 per cent of the 6,000 PhDs produced annually in the state qualify for national research standards like NET/JRF.
Drug Menace in Educational Institutions
The governor raised alarm over the increasing prevalence of illicit drugs in and around college campuses, alleging the involvement of international drug cartels. While enforcement agencies occasionally apprehend street-level peddlers, the masterminds behind these operations remain unpunished.
“If the kingpins of drug cartels are not arrested and punished, the increasing drug menace will destroy our future generation,” Ravi cautioned.
Caste Discrimination and Dalit Oppression
Governor Ravi also brought attention to the ongoing caste-based discrimination and violence against Dalits in Tamil Nadu. He expressed anguish over the inhumane treatment of Dalit individuals, recounting incidents where they were denied access to public spaces and subjected to degrading actions like being urinated upon or assaulted.
- Dalit students facing segregation in classrooms and physical violence if they excel academically.
- Dalit Panchayat leaders being prevented from functioning effectively, often barred from sitting during official meetings.
- Rising crimes, including sexual assaults on Dalit women.
“Our heart sinks and head hangs in shame when we read such reports,” Ravi lamented, calling for systemic reforms to eradicate these injustices.
Economic Decline and Unemployment
Ravi criticized Tamil Nadu’s diminishing stature as an investment destination. Once a leader in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), the state now lags behind Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. He attributed the decline to dwindling private investments, which he said are hindering industrial growth and job creation.
“With more than 26 suicides per one lakh population—more than double the national average—Tamil Nadu has earned the grim title of the ‘suicide capital of India,’” Ravi remarked. He linked this trend to growing socio-economic distress, particularly among youth and the underprivileged.
National Security Concerns
In his address, Governor Ravi expressed concerns over the presence of terror modules in Tamil Nadu. According to him, these groups are connected to international terror networks in regions like Afghanistan and the Middle East. He emphasised the importance of aggressive action by enforcement agencies to neutralise these threats.
“Such networks pose a severe risk to social harmony and economic stability,” he warned.
