Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s residence at Raj Bhavan, situated on Sardar Patel Road in Chennai, was the site of a recent attack. A notorious figure known as Karukka Vinoth hurled petrol bombs at the residence, prompting a flurry of reactions from various quarters.
While the police and several politicians from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have downplayed the incident, labelling it as vandalism, the attack has stirred controversy. Critics argue that dismissing the severity of the attack, especially given its proximity to the residence, may be unwarranted.
Speaking at a DMK event, Thol Thirumavalavan, Chief of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), launched a scathing verbal attack on Governor Ravi. Thirumavalavan compared Governor Ravi to his predecessors and claimed there had never been a governor in Tamil Nadu with such a contentious relationship with the ruling government. He further accused Governor Ravi of obstinacy and remarked, “A crooked person is now the governor of TN.”, as reported by The Commune.
Thirumavalavan also alleged that when Governor Ravi’s appointment was announced, the VCK had promptly raised concerns, asserting he was not the right candidate for the role. According to Thirumavalavan, Governor Ravi’s tenure in Nagaland had been marred by protests, and the people were divided, and he anticipated similar repercussions in Tamil Nadu.
He critiqued Governor Ravi’s conduct during official duties, citing instances where he omitted names of prominent figures such as Periyar and Ambedkar from speeches. Thirumavalavan also contended that Governor Ravi failed to address critical issues like women’s empowerment and social justice.
Moreover, Thirumavalavan expressed dissatisfaction over pending petitions with the Governor, particularly those related to the release of Muslim prisoners. This frustration led to protests organized by VCK and Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) against the Governor.
In a stern warning, Thirumavalavan cautioned, “Governor Ravi, your stubbornness may work in North Indian states, but if we are awake, we will chase you so bad that you’ll be running helter-skelter with your hind legs hitting your back.”
Critics, however, question the dismissal of the petrol bomb attack as a mere act of vandalism, emphasising the need for a thorough investigation.
It is worth noting that Thirumavalavan has been known for his fiery speeches against the Governor and Sanathana Dharma, raising concerns about the inflammatory rhetoric in political discourse. Despite such rhetoric, he remains aligned with a party under whose governance incidents of caste-based violence have occurred, including the notorious Vengaivayal incident.
