Tamil Nadu Governor’s Scathing Critique Ignites Clash with DMK

On the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, August 14, 2025, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi delivered a fiery address that lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the central government’s achievements in economic growth, poverty reduction, military victories, and cultural initiatives. However, his speech took a sharp turn as he omitted any praise for the Tamil Nadu government or Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, instead spotlighting four critical issues plaguing the state, escalating tensions with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

Governor Ravi outlined what he called “very serious challenges” facing Tamil Nadu, urging immediate action. First, he criticized the declining standards of public education, particularly in government schools, where over 50% of high school students struggle with basic arithmetic and reading, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER). He highlighted persistent caste-based segregation, calling it a “collective shame” that such discrimination persists 78 years after independence. 

Ravi pointed to Tamil Nadu’s alarming suicide rate, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data indicating 26 suicides per lakh population—over double the national average of 12—linking it to social, psychological, and economic distress. Third, he raised concerns about rampant synthetic drug abuse among youth, alleging that “powerful syndicates with patronage of the powers-that-be” fuel the supply chain, with 2024 drug seizures 14 times higher than the previous year. Finally, he noted a 56% surge in POCSO rape cases and a 33% rise in molestation incidents in 2024, warning that fear and insecurity threaten women’s aspirations and the state’s future.

While acknowledging Tamil Nadu’s industrial and cultural contributions, Ravi emphasized the central government’s “substantial” financial support, including ₹3 lakh crore in grants-in-aid, and urged citizens to prioritize “nation first.” The DMK swiftly rebuffed his claims, with party spokesperson Dr. Syed Hafeezullah accusing Ravi of misrepresenting facts. “Tamil Nadu outperforms many BJP-ruled states per NCRB data. The Governor’s misinformation won’t be accepted,” Hafeezullah stated, referencing a recent incident where a PhD scholar in Tenkasi, reportedly the wife of a DMK leader, refused to accept her degree from Ravi during a convocation, citing his criticism of the state.

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The DMK escalated its response by announcing that Chief Minister Stalin and his cabinet would boycott the Governor’s ‘At Home’ reception on Independence Day, joined by allies including Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi. Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan also declared he would skip upcoming university convocations presided over by Ravi, protesting his actions as chancellor, including delaying a bill to establish a university named after DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, which Ravi forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu.

This clash is the latest in a long-standing feud between Raj Bhavan and the DMK government. Since Ravi’s appointment in 2021, he has clashed with the state over issues like withholding assent to 21 bills, prompting a landmark Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 that deemed such delays illegal and granted assent to pending legislation.

Ravi’s support for central policies like the National Education Policy and his suggestion to rename Tamil Nadu as “Tamizhagam” have further strained relations. Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru dismissed Ravi’s claims, asserting Tamil Nadu leads in per capita income and startup growth, while School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi questioned the credibility of the ASER report and urged Ravi to secure pending educational funds from the central government.

The Governor’s remarks, coupled with the DMK’s boycott, have reignited a political firestorm, with both sides digging in ahead of upcoming elections. As Tamil Nadu navigates these challenges, the public standoff underscores deep divisions between Raj Bhavan and the state government, casting a shadow over Independence Day celebrations.

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