Tamil Nadu: Governor Ravi Criticises DMK Government's Handling Of Freedom Fighters' Legacy

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi had expressed concerns on Monday (23 October), accusing the DMK-led state government of undermining the legacies of freedom fighters and reducing them to mere caste leaders.

He specifically cited the example of the Maruthu brothers and Muthuramalinga Thevar, as reported by India Today.

Governor Ravi questioned the government's approach, suggesting that even iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh might have been similarly diminished if they were born in the state.

He further alleged that there is a deliberate attempt to rewrite Tamil Nadu's history with a false narrative of racial division between Dravidian and Aryan cultures.

The Governor also delved into the history of the Aryan-Dravidian theory, highlighting that it was the brainchild of Robert Caldwell, emphasising that this theory was introduced during British rule to divide the nation.

He contended that the Aryan-Dravidian divide was exploited to create a counter-freedom movement.

Moreover, Governor Ravi indirectly accused certain leaders of opposing India's struggle for Independence. He noted that some individuals even presented a memorandum in London against India gaining freedom, while the nation celebrated its independence on 15 August, 1947.

Governor Ravi underlined the significance of Tamil Nadu in the freedom movement, asserting that the first war for independence took place in 1801 when the Maruthu brothers formed a powerful alliance against the British, leading to a significant conflict.