CHENNAI: The MK Stalin-led DMK on Saturday made a scathing attack on governor R N Ravi for his pro-NEET remarks in his Republic Day message when the state is fighting to get exemption for Tamil Nadu students from NEET.
The party mouthpiece Murasoli, in an article carried with a pen name, sought to remind Ravi, “This is not Nagaland, but Tamil Nadu,” in an apparent reference to Ravi’s earlier stint as governor of Nagaland, which had attracted opposition criticism.
In his customary message on the eve of the Republic Day, Ravi said improving the quality of education in government schools was the need of the time. Before the introduction of NEET, the share of students from government schools getting medical seats in government colleges was hardly 1%. “Thanks to the affirmative action of 7.5% reservation for government school students, that number has improved significantly, however, there is an urgent need to improve the quality of education also in government schools,” Ravi said. He also said depriving students of knowledge of other Indian languages was unfair to all.
The ruling DMK, which was upset with Ravi for delaying his decision on the Bill seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET — passed in the assembly in September, has not taken lightly to Ravi’s remarks on NEET. It is incensed over the inference in Ravi’s message that the previous AIADMK government provided 7.5% reservation to government school students in medical admission.
The article attacking Ravi read, “Intimidating tactics is perhaps needed for the police department (Ravi is a retired IPS officer); it will be helpful on many occasions, but he should realize that it will not help achieve anything in politics”. It charged the governor with transgressing his Constitutional role by supporting NEET when “the whole state, barring a few Sanghis” was opposing the common entrance test.
People in Tamil Nadu, unlike other states, are politically conscious even if they live in remote villages. It would do good for the governor to understand the state and its history before making unsavoury comments that bring disrepute to his position, the article said. Taking a leaf from a folklore, it added, “Kokkendru ninaithayo, Konganava” (Recalling the story of sage Konganavar, who killed a stork, the article asked Ravi whether he thinks it [read DMK government] is a stork).
The governor should explain to the people whether it is fair to take refuge under legal cover and sit on the Bill, dashing the wishes of seven crore people and insulting them, it said.
The article also had a word of advice to Ravi about his role as the Union government’s representative. His duty was to inform the Centre about the sentiments of the people and not push the Union government’s agenda down their throats, it said.
