New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu governor’s observation that secularism is a concept that came out of Europe’s conflict between the church and the king and that it was added to the Indian constitution by “one insecure prime minister” have led to outrage with the Congress calling for his removal from position.
“What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the Church and the king… How can India be away from ‘dharma’? Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism,” Ravi was quoted as having said, by News18.
PTI has further reported that Ravi said that secularism was not part of the constitution but added during the Emergency by “one insecure prime minister” in order to “appease some sections of people,” ostensibly referring to Indira Gandhi.
Ravi’s remarks came on September 22, at a Kanyakumari function. He also said that this was among the “frauds” that had been committed against the people of the country.
The Congress has called the remarks “outrageous and unacceptable”, with its Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh calling for his sacking on X.
“This man, who has taken an oath on the Constitution and who – inspite of his drumbeating – remains a Constitutional functionary, should be sacked forthwith. He is a disgrace,” Ramesh said.
“But he is only a trial balloon floater. He is echoing what the non-biological PM wants to get done,” Ramesh added.
Congress’s Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore said in a video statement that Ravi’s lines are unacceptable and “against the Constitution and against the idea of India [propounded] by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel.”
“We respect all religions in India…BJP and other affiliated organisations are always against this,” he said.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) leader Clyde Crasto also commented on how Ravi holds a constitutional post as a governor and must thus abide by the constitution.
“Tamil Nadu Governor making a statement on ‘Secularism’ is completely contrary to the principles of his position…People in such honourable positions should maintain neutrally and refrain from such comments no matter to whom their core affiliations belong,” he wrote on X.
This is not the first time that R.N. Ravi has been seen to make pronouncements that largely align with or favour the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party despite holding a constitutionally neutral position.
Last year, in an unprecedented move, Ravi had “dismissed” state minister V. Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers after he was arrested by the central agency, Enforcement Directorate, in an alleged money laundering case.
