Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s touch upon secularism has raised an enormous row
New Delhi:
A remark by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on the origin and that means of secularism has raised an enormous row, with leaders of the Congress and different events calling it an “irresponsible” comment, coming from an individual who occupies an necessary constitutional put up.
Mr Ravi, at a public occasion in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari, described secularism as an idea that got here from distant lands within the West, which, he added, doesn’t have a house in India.
“Lots of frauds have been dedicated on folks of this nation, and one in every of them is that they’ve tried to provide a incorrect interpretation of secularism. What does secularism imply? Secularism is a European idea, and it’s not an Indian idea,” Mr Ravi informed the gathering.
“In Europe, secularism got here as a result of there was a combat between the church and the king… How can India be away from dharma? Secularism is a European idea and let it’s there solely. In India, there is no such thing as a want for secularism,” he stated, with out explaining whether or not the choice is a theocratic state.
Reacting to the Tamil Nadu Governor’s remark, Communist Social gathering of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), chief Brinda Karat stated Mr Ravi’s comment was “perplexing” as it will imply “the Structure does not maintain a lot worth for him.”
“The Governor’s assertion reveals that he thinks that the Structure can be a international idea. Those that imagine within the Structure, those that query it are sitting within the Governor’s chair…” she stated.
Aiming on the BJP-led Centre, Ms Karat stated it has been appointing those that don’t imagine within the nation’s supreme rulebook as Governors.
Congress MP from Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar, Manickam Tagore, in a put up on X stated the Governor’s remark is in opposition to the Structure.
“Whereas the concept of secularism could also be completely different in international nations, in India we respect all different religions, we respect all different traditions and we respect all different practices and that is the concept of secularism in India,” stated Mr Tagore, a three-term MP.
My views on the assertion of Tamilnadu Governor Ravi. pic.twitter.com/S5CT7LUaer
— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) September 23, 2024
The Centre and Opposition-ruled states have often seen tensions flare up between Governors and state leaders. The Governors of Kerala and West Bengal, for instance, have seen friction with Chief Ministers.
