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The recent convocation ceremony at Tamil University in Thanjavur has sparked controversy due to the actions of Governor RN Ravi. This event comes just a day after he was embroiled in a dispute regarding the omission of the word 'Dravida' from the lyrics of Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, the Tamil anthem, during a Hindi month celebration at Doordarshan Kendra in Chennai. During the convocation ceremony, Governor Ravi stood firm as the singers included the word 'Dravida' in the original version of the Tamil anthem. The 14th convocation of Tamil University commenced with the traditional order, beginning with the recital of the national anthem followed by Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu.
This event, chaired by Governor Ravi in his capacity as chancellor, took place at the Karikalacholan auditorium on the university premises. In his convocation address, Panchanatham Natarajan, Vice-Chancellor of Gandhigram Rural Institute, highlighted the importance of learning in one's mother tongue as emphasized by the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP). He also reminded the audience of Mahatma Gandhi's strong advocacy for teaching students in their native languages. He encouraged students to broaden their linguistic horizons by learning other Indian languages and foreign languages as well.
The convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone for 656 graduates receiving their degrees. These included 68 undergraduates, 212 postgraduates, 190 BEd graduates, 76 MPhil, and 100 PhD scholars. The event also witnessed heightened security measures ahead of Governor Ravi's visit to Thanjavur, with the deployment of approximately 500 police personnel and officers from the Central region police. The event was also notable for the absence of M P Saminathan, the Minister for Tamil Development and Pro-Chancellor of Tamil University, despite being listed on the invitation. However, the Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, V Thiruvalluvan, was present at the ceremony.
This event is likely to further fuel the ongoing debate surrounding the role of Tamil language and cultural identity in Tamil Nadu. The actions of Governor Ravi in standing firm during the recital of the Tamil anthem, while controversial, reflect the sensitivity surrounding the language and its significance within the state. The event has also brought into focus the importance of education and the need for students to be well-versed in their native language while also embracing the diversity of other languages. The absence of the Minister for Tamil Development is a further reminder of the complexities and tensions surrounding language and cultural identity in Tamil Nadu.
Source: Governor R N Ravi stands up to Tamil anthem at convocation