The DMK leader also said that two years of the party's rule in Tamil Nadu was a testimony of the Dravidian model's success.
Published May 04, 2023 | 8:43 PM ⚊ Updated May 04, 2023 | 8:43 PM
Chief Minister MK Stalin with Governor RN Ravi (Supplied)
In retaliation to Governor RN Ravi’s interview on the Dravidian model, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday, 4 May, said that it would be the success formula for other states in the country.
The DMK chief also said that two years of the party’s rule was a testimony of the Dravidian model’s success.
This was the latest chapter in the face-off between the DMK government and the Raj Bhavan, which has been going on for the past two years.
It began right from the day of the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister, where the Governor, said “I, MK Stalin” while administering the oath, while the DMK chief — who was supposed to repeat it — instead said “I, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin”.
Since then, Stalin and Ravi have locked horns on several issues, like the Governor holding the bills that have sent for his assent, and a resolution against the Governor in Assembly so that he wouldn’t do it.
Ravi, in a recent interview with a news outlet, reportedly said that the Dravidian model had expired as an ideology.
He went on to say in the interview that the DMK wanted him to praise and endorse the Dravidian model of governance. “First of all, there is no such model of governance. It is only a political slogan,” he said.
Calling the Dravidian model “only a political slogan”, Ravi added that it was also “a desperate bid to sustain an expired ideology, an ideology that does not relish the idea of Oru Bharatham (One India)”.
He also said that the Dravidian ideology downplayed the national freedom movement, and was used to erase from history and memory the hundreds and thousands of freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu who gave their lives and everything. Instead, it glorified those who collaborated with the British, he said.
“It is an ideology that rabidly enforces linguistic apartheid on the whole of the nation. No other Indian language is allowed entry into Tamil Nadu. So much so that if you read the recent Budget speech, the government is going to set up a central Kalaignar library with 3. 25 lakh books only in Tamil and English — no other language. It is an ideology that has created an ecosystem that fosters separatist sentiment. I don’t think anyone can expect me to endorse that. No, I will not, and I said I will not.”
Reacting to the Governor’s views, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in a statement issued on the completion of two years of the government, said the DMK rule was a testimony of the Dravidian model’s success.
The chief minister also said that the people of Tamil Nadu had given the DMK a decisive mandate to rule the state, reacting to the 10 years of “dark” AIADMK rule.
“Since the DMK assumed power on 7 May, 2021, our Dravidian model of governance has been implementing projects with the welfare of the people in mind,” he said.
Stalin also claimed: “That’s why we have to respond loudly to speak the truth and counter the rumours and slander, and this success will continue for a full five-year term. The winning streak will continue in the subsequent elections.”
He affirmed that the Dravidian model would be the success formula for other states in the country as well.
It may be noted that the DMK, founded in 1949, is the oldest existing party to have been begun on Dravidian principles.
Alleging that it had become the Governor’s wont to violate the constitutional position by making controversial remarks, TNCC chief KS Alagiri claimed: “The Governor has yet again spewed venom.”
He continued: “Is he a political party leader to talk about the ideology of a party? What is his standing? What merit does he have to talk thus?”
The DMK’s policy was autonomy in the state and federalism at the Centre, and it was a force that had been fighting for the interests and rights of the people, he said.
“But the Governor talks about ‘Oru Bharatham’ (One India), which is the policy of the BJP,” Alagiri claimed.
The Governor apparently did not appear to know the difference between the BJP, which harps on the one-nation concept to impose its rule, and the DMK, which champions the cause of autonomy in the state, he said.
“The Governor is persistently overstepping his limits. People will join hands to end his anti-democratic activities soon,” Alagiri said.
Madurai MP Su Venkatesan, taking on the Governor, said, “We enjoy your anger.”
Reacting to Ravi’s statement that the Kalaingar Library would have only English and Tamil books, the CPI(M) leader said that it was an added pride that the facility would act as a platform against Hindi imposition.
CPI state secretary R Mutharasan demanded the recall of the Governor, alleging he had proved himself to be a spokesperson of the RSS and the BJP rather than an apolitical figurehead.
“He has been creating a false impression that the law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu has deteriorated. He has endorsed the BJP slogan of one nation and is attempting to slander the Dravidian model of governance,” he said.
MDMK leader Vaiko also took exception to Ravi’s contention that the Dravidian model of governance was a “political slogan”, aimed at sustaining an “expired ideology”.
He sought the Governor’s apology for insulting the Dravidian thought.
