R.N. Ravi, M.K. Stalin trade barbs over political slogan ‘Tamil Nadu Poradum, Tamil Nadu Vellum’

Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin were involved in a fresh row on Sunday over a popular political slogan the latter often uses to conclude his speeches — “Tamil Nadu Poradum, Tamil Nadu Vellum” (Tamil Nadu Will Struggle, Tamil Nadu Will Win). While Mr. Ravi hit out at the slogan during a function at the Raj Bhavan, Mr. Stalin later responded through a social media post.

Speaking at the Thiru Arutprakasa Vallalar’s 202nd Avatar Day celebration and Thiruarutpa book release, the Governor said society had become deeply divided. “Today is a difficult time, because our own people have lost the way. Instead of being brotherly, instead of looking at society as one family, they have started dividing. It is all breeding and seeding conflict,” he said.

Governor R.N. Ravi.
| Photo Credit:
R. ASHOK

Referring to political slogans , the Governor added: “In fact, when I travel across the State, I find phrases like ‘Tamil Nadu Poradum!’Yaarudan poradum? [With whom will the State struggle?] Tamil Naduvai ethirthu yaarum porada villai [No one is struggling against Tamil Nadu]. We are all brothers and sisters. There is no conflict, no fight. We must live together and prosper together.”

A few hours later, Mr. Stalin alluded to the Governor’s remarks in a social media post. “Tamil Nadu will struggle against the arrogance that demands acceptance of Hindi for releasing funds for education,” he wrote. In a lengthy social media post, the Chief Minister said the State would struggle against “retrograde attempts to drag students back in educational institutions that are supposed to nurture scientific temper.”

Mr. Stalin said Tamil Nadu would also “struggle against conspirators obsessed with religion, who prevent the country from developing” and “against the enemies of democracy who attempt to crush governments elected by the people.” He continued: “We have protected the State’s rights by moving the courts against the excesses of the Governor. Tamil Nadu will struggle against those who intend to belittle the greatness of the Constitution.”

He further said the State would struggle “against conspirators who threaten industries originally intended to invest in Tamil Nadu and move them to other States” and “against those who attempt to disturb the unity of the people of India with the blessings of the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] to bring back Manu Dharma.”

Mr. Stalin said Tamil Nadu would struggle against the alleged “saffronisation” of saint-poet Tiruvalluvar and against attempts to suppress archaeological findings from Keeladi. “It will also struggle against any attempt to weaken Tamil Nadu’s strength through delimitation,” he said, adding that the State would continue to oppose NEET.

“Tamil Nadu will struggle against the foxes who are desperate to ignite riots by spreading defamation every other day, unable to stomach the State posting an impressive 11.19% economic growth,” Mr. Stalin added. “It will also struggle against the Governor, who has not mended his ways even after being boycotted by the people of Nagaland, but intends to create confusion among the people of Tamil Nadu. In all, Tamil Nadu will emerge victorious. It will protect all of India!”