Chennai Governor RN Ravi Criticizes Lack of Recognition for Tamil Nadu Freedom Fighters
Chennai Governor RN Ravi expressed his disappointment at the lack of recognition for Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters during a memorial function for the Maruthu brothers. The event, held at the academy, saw Governor Ravi serving as the special guest and addressing the attendees.
Highlighting the Maruthu brothers’ significant contributions to the liberation of the nation, Governor Ravi emphasized the need to remember and honor the sacrifices made by these great freedom fighters. He expressed his dismay at the fact that there were very few mentions of national heroes like the Maruthu brothers among the list of Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters.
Governor Ravi revealed that upon assuming his role as Governor of Tamil Nadu, he sought to educate himself about the state’s freedom fighters. However, he discovered that there were only a handful of recognized fighters, with the Maruthu brothers and other national heroes notably absent.
“I was disappointed that there were so few freedom fighters in a land full of heroes, where there were so many names of freedom fighters,” Governor Ravi said. He further explained how his research led him to discover the thousands of freedom fighters who had given their lives for India’s independence.
The Governor expressed his shock and outrage upon learning that celebrations of these heroes’ sacrifice days were prohibited in certain districts due to concerns about law and order disturbances. He called for the district administration and the government to work towards resolving tensions and allowing the celebration of national events of utmost importance.
Governor Ravi also questioned the selective imposition of restrictions for celebrations, particularly when it came to national freedom fighters like the Maruthu brothers and Muthuramalinga Devar, who worked alongside Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
He lamented the fact that these leaders, who fought selflessly for the country’s freedom without discriminating between castes, had now become associated with caste politics. Moreover, Governor Ravi expressed concern about the government’s attempts to erase the memory of these leaders by removing them from school textbooks.
While the government has reduced the celebration of these national freedom martyrs to occasional anniversaries, Governor Ravi stressed that their communities have triumphed in keeping their memory alive. He criticized the fragmentation of society along caste lines and highlighted the need for unity and recognition for these inspirational leaders.
Governor Ravi further criticized those in power for their hesitancy to acknowledge the contributions of national freedom fighters due to their past alliances with the British. According to him, these actions exposed them and their opposition to the prominent National Freedom Movement.
In closing, Governor Ravi shared an incident from last year where he and other leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, only to find a photo exhibition next door that omitted any representation of Dravidian ideology. This year, the photo exhibition was canceled altogether to avoid further embarrassment.
Governor Ravi concluded his speech by stressing the importance of never forgetting those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation. He called for the recognition and celebration of the contributions of Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters, ensuring their rightful place in history.