CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat criticized Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi on Monday for his recent comments about secularism, calling it “shameful” that someone with such views holds the position of governor. Karat’s remarks reflect the growing backlash against Ravi’s statement that secularism is a European concept and not native to India.
“This governor has presumably taken an oath in the name of the Constitution. Secularism is an integral part of our Constitution, and the separation of religion from politics is also enshrined within it. Tomorrow, he might claim that the Constitution of India itself is a foreign concept. This reflects the RSS understanding. It is shameful that such a person has been appointed as the governor of such an important state as Tamil Nadu,” Karat told.
Governor RN Ravi sparked controversy when, during a convocation at the Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham in Kanyakumari, he said that secularism is a European concept and does not align with Indian traditions:
“A lot of frauds have been committed to the people of this country, and one of them is that they have been given a wrong interpretation of secularism. What does secularism mean!? Secularism is a European concept; secularism is not a Bhartiya concept.”
The remarks drew strong reactions from various political leaders. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) condemned the governor, with party spokesperson TKS Elangovan stating:
“Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe… The Governor has not gone through the Constitution of India. Article 25 says that there should be freedom of religion, which he doesn’t seem to know. He should read the Constitution fully.”
Congress leader P. Chidambaram also weighed in, questioning if other democratic principles originating from Europe, such as federalism and one person, one vote, should also be discarded. He took to X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“Having draped Tiruvalluvar with a saffron robe, the Governor of Tamil Nadu has now discovered that secularism was a European concept and has no place in India… Federalism, democracy, and one person one vote were also European concepts. Shall we discard them too?”
Chidambaram’s remarks highlight the broader concern about undermining key tenets of India’s democratic and constitutional framework. He concluded by suggesting that constitutional functionaries holding symbolic positions should “take a vow of silence” instead of making divisive statements.
