Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi's ‘Secularism Is A European Concept’ Remark Sparks Congress, DMK Fury

The Congress on Tuesday (24 September) lashed out at Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi over his comment labelling secularism as a "European concept," deeming the remark "outrageous and unacceptable."

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary, also called for Ravi's dismissal, referring to him as a "disgrace."

"This man, wo has taken an oath on the Constitution, and who - despite his drumbeating - remains a Constitutional functionary, should be sacked forthwith. He is a disgrace," Ramesh said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Ramesh went on to accuse Ravi of being a "trial balloon floater," claiming that the Governor was merely voicing what the Prime Minister aimed to achieve.

"This is not the first outrageous and unacceptable statement he has made. But he is only a trial balloon floater. He is echoing what the non-biological PM wants to get done," he said.

On Monday, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi stirred controversy by alleging that secularism was added to the Constitution by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency to "appease some sections of people."

"Secularism is not a Bhartiya concept, it is a European concept, let it be there, let them be happy with it. How can India be away from Dharma?" Ravi told a convocation of Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham at Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari.

"In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the church and the king. They wanted to stop the fight which had been going on for hundreds of years. So they advocated separation between the Church and the King to ensure there was no interference with each other. In India, there is no need for secularism," he added.

Ravi’s remarks also drew sharp rebuke from the DMK, with the party asserting that the Governor should "go and read the Constitution."

"Article 25 says that there should be a conscious freedom of religion that he doesn't know. He should go and read the Constitution fully. 22 languages are listed in our Constitution. Hindi is a language which is spoken by a few states. The remaining states speak other languages. The problem with the BJP is that they neither know India, nor the Constitution," DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said.

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