Higher Education Minister boycotted the convocation ceremony as Ravi declined the proposal to confer honorary doctorate on Sankaraiah.
Published Nov 02, 2023 | 8:07 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2023 | 8:07 PM
TN Governor RN Ravi during the function. (X)
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi attended the 55th convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University on Thursday, 2 November, amid a black flag protest by the CPI(M) members and a boycott by DMK Minister K Ponmudy.
The CPI(M), an ally of the ruling DMK, held a black flag protest condemning the Governor for not accepting a proposal to confer an honorary doctorate on freedom fighter and communist veteran N Sankaraiah in recognition of his services.
Scores of party cadres were detained by the police for staging the protest and were later let off.
As he had announced on Wednesday, state Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy boycotted the convocation ceremony as Ravi declined the proposal to confer an honorary doctorate on Sankaraiah.
“Despite the Syndicate and the Senate passing resolutions and my request, the Governor has refused to award him a doctorate degree. He should explain the reason for his action,” Ponmudy, who is pro-chancellor of the university, told reporters, announcing his decision to stay away from the convocation.
Ponmudy criticised the Governor’s unilateral actions, asking whether his “affiliations with the RSS” were influencing his decision to defy established rules and traditions to honour freedom fighters.
The minister further sought to know the reasons behind the Governor’s disapproval of the MKU’s decision to confer an honorary doctorate to Sankaraiah.
He also asserted that the veteran leader’s commitment to serving the people made him an exceptional choice for such recognition.
Reminding the Governor about his powers, Ponmudy said the MKU Syndicate and Senate were vested with the powers to confer doctorates, according to the University Act.
“The Governor has to merely affix his signature. He cannot make decisions,” said the minister, adding that Ravi had made it a habit to go against established rules and conventions.
“He acts like a nationalist but he doesn’t respect the people who fought for India’s freedom. I would like to remind the Governor that he is only a nominated executive. The government elected by the people is the real executive,” the minister said.
Ponmudy also said that the freedom fighter had worked for social justice and secured the rights of the people.
In July 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who was on a trip to Madurai, announced that the MKU would confer an honorary doctorate on the 102-year-old freedom fighter.
Stalin said that Sankaraiah was first arrested in 1941 when he was a final-year student at the American College in Madurai. He was released just 12 hours before 15 August, 1947, when the country attained Independence.
Sankaraiah could not write his college examination as he was arrested by the British. And the American College, which still exists, is now affiliated to the MKU.
He was a state secretary of the Communist Party of Tamil Nadu and was elected to the state’s Legislative Assembly in 1967, 1977, and 1980.
In 2021, when the freedom fighter turned 100, the Tamil Nadu government honoured him with the “Thagaisal Thamizhar” award.
The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the university, presented degrees to 1,34,531 students during the convocation.
Prof U Kamachi Mudali, vice chancellor of Homi Bhabha National Institute, delivered the convocation address.
(With PTI inputs)
