Derogatory speech by person holding top position is condemnable, says Governor Ravi; Ponmudy apologises for remarks

Governor R.N. Ravi condemns derogatory remarks towards women and culture, emphasizing the need to protect Tamil identity.

Taking a dig at the ruling DMK and Minister for Forests K. Ponmudy, Governor R.N. Ravi, without taking any names, said, “Today, we have reached a stage where a person holding a high position talks about women in derogatory terms....”

The Governor was speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised for winners of Kambar-2025 — a State-level Tamil speech competition at the Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE) in Madurai on Saturday.

Stating that the language used was vulgar, contemptuous and mocking, Mr. Ravi contended that an erosion of values that defined the Tamil people and culture was becoming obvious day by day. In Kamba Ramayana, Ravana does not touch Sita while abducting her. That showed the sensitivity, respect and dignity of women, he added.

“This is the land that has revered women. There were female Nayanars. Andal was one among the Alwars. The recent abusive remarks made by the person holding a high position insulting women, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are condemnable,” the Governor said.

The Governor further said that such remarks were a part of an ecosystem that had, for the past 70 to 80 years, been trying to carry out a cultural genocide and calling sanatana dharma malaria and dengue. “When rulers try to destroy a culture and identity, it is the society and social and cultural institutions that come forward to save them. This has happened in our country for 1,000 years, when temples and places of worship were being destroyed....,” Mr. Ravi said.

On these lines, today, there has been a concerted attempt to destroy the Tamil identity and culture. It is the responsibility of society to save it, he said, adding: “Tamil language, culture and sensibilities are the pride of the nation. The whole country looks up to Tamil culture, identity and people with pride. We cannot let this be hijacked by those with an agenda. We must wake up...”

TCE Chairman and Correspondent Hari Thiagarajan; Vice-Chancellor of SASTRA University S. Vaidhyasubramaniam; Vice-President of Vellore Institute of Technology G.V. Selvam; and Director of SASTRA Deemed University, Chennai, Sudha Seshayyan were present.