Tamil Nadu: Guv RN Ravi using convocation functions to politicise universities, says Minister K Ponmudy

Chennai: Accusing Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi of seeking to politicise university convocation functions, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy on Tuesday declared he would boycott the Madurai Kamaraj University function slated for Wednesday.

Ponmudy told journalists the university had not consulted him on inviting the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan as ‘Guest of Honour’ for the convocation.

“As the Pro Chancellor of the university, the university should have consulted with me about inviting the guests. The Vice-Chancellor said the guests were decided by the Governor’s (Chancellor) office,” he said.

The Minister objected to Murugan being given precedence in the order of speakers before him.

“Despite our request to change it, the Governor’s office refused...We believe the Governor is using the convocation functions to politicise the universities. As Pro Chancellor and Higher Education Minister, I am boycotting the convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University,” Ponmudy said.

Referring to the Governor’s recent remarks that the Aryan and Dravidian division was only geographical and not racial, the Minister said the term Dravidian had been in existence for centuries. “The Governor asked us to read the National Education Policy, I humbly urge him to read Indian history. Without knowing the history, one should not comment about Dravidian ideology on this land,” he commented.

“The Governor is not an elected representative of the people. He should not campaign for the BJP. Nowhere in the Constitution has it been mentioned the Governor should act favourably to the ruling party at the Centre,” he remarked.

Published on: Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 06:10 PM IST