CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Monday criticized Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for his remarks on secularism, calling it a “shame” that such an individual has been appointed as the governor of a key state like Tamil Nadu.
In her comments, Karat pointed out that RN Ravi’s statements reflected the “RSS understanding” and speculated that he might even go as far as saying that the Constitution itself is a “foreign concept.” She stated, “This governor has taken oath in the name of Constitution I presume…secularism is very much part of our Constitution…separation of religion from politics is very much part of our Constitution…tomorrow he will say the Constitution of India itself is a foreign concept, this is what the RSS understanding is..it is a shame that such person has been appointed as governor of such an important state like Tamil Nadu,” Karat told ANI.
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This controversy erupted after Governor Ravi, while speaking at the convocation of Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham in Kanyakumari, claimed that secularism is a “European concept” and “doesn’t belong to India.” He argued that secularism arose in Europe due to conflicts between the church and the king, which is irrelevant in India. “Secularism is a European concept; secularism is not a Bhartiya concept,” Ravi said. He further remarked, “In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the church and the king, How can India be away from ‘Dharma’? Secularism is a European concept, and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism.”
The comments prompted criticism from various political figures, including Congress leader P Chidambaram. He questioned whether Ravi’s logic should apply to other ideas that originated in Europe, such as federalism, democracy, and one person one vote. In a post on X, Chidambaram stated, “Having draped Tiruvalluvar with a saffron robe, the Governor of Tamil Nadu has now discovered that secularism was a European concept and it has no place in India. He is not correct, but assume he is right. Federalism was also a European concept. Shall we declare that Federalism has no place in India?”
He continued, “One person, one vote was also an European concept. Shall we declare that some people will have no right to vote? Democracy was also an European concept not known to India that was ruled by maharajahs and rajas. Shall we declare that democracy will be jettisoned in this country? Constitutional functionaries, especially those who hold titular positions, should take a vow of silence.”
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu, which has frequently clashed with Governor Ravi, also condemned his remarks and suggested he revisit the Constitution. DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, “Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe. Particularly the Governor, he had not gone through the Constitution of India. Article 25 says that there should be a conscious freedom of religion that he doesn’t know…He should go and read the constitution fully…The problem with the BJP is that they neither know India, nor the Constitution…They don’t know anything. That is why they could not even form a government on their own.”
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja also criticized the governor, underscoring the need for secularism to keep religion and politics separate, while referring to BR Ambedkar’s rejection of a “theocratic concept.” He stated, “I strongly deplore the statement made by RN Ravi. What does he know about secularism? What does he know about India? He is a governor…he must abide by the Constitution. The Constitution of India defines India as secular democratic republic…Dr BR Ambedkar emphatically rejected theocratic concept…Ambedkar went to the extent of saying, if at all Hindu Rashtra becomes a fact, that will be a calamity for the nation…secularism means keeping religion and politics separate…don’t bring Gods for electoral purposes.”
This is not the first time Governor Ravi has made such remarks. Last year, he accused those seeking to break India of distorting the meaning of secularism, stating, “Our Constitution is not against ‘dharma’…it is the people who want to break this country, they have given a distorted interpretation of secularism. We have to understand the true meaning of secularism in our constitution…. those talking about eradicating Hinduism have a hidden agenda to break this country in collaboration with hostile foreign powers. They will not succeed as Bharat has inherent strength.”
