Never suggested renaming TN Guv

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Wednesday issued a clarification stating that the reference to the use of ‘Thamizhagam’ in his recent speech was not a suggestion to rename the state and it was used only to mention the historical cultural relationship between Kasi and Tamil Nadu.

The ruling DMK and its alliance parties have been condemning the Governor after he made a remark suggesting the usage of ‘Thamizhagam’ in the place of Tamil Nadu. The state government had accused the Governor for acting against the public will and the Constitution.

 The DMK delegation flew to New Delhi and met president Droupadi Murmu to submit a letter regarding the Governor’s conduct on behalf of the Chief Minister MK Stalin.  A similar complaint was registered with the union government.

Wanting to bring an end to the controversy, the Governor has issued a clarification. In a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, Ravi said, “In an event at Raj Bhavan on January 4 to felicitate the volunteers of Kashi – Tamil sangamam, a recently concluded month long festival celebrating the age old cultural connect of Tamil people with Kashi, while dwelling upon the historical cultural connect between the two, I referred to the word ‘Tamizhagam’.  In those words, there was no Tamil Nadu. 

Hence in historical cultural context, I referred to the word ‘Tamizhagam’ as a more appropriate expression.”
“An interpretation or inference that it was a suggestion to change the name of Tamil Nadu is erroneous and far-fetched.  Without understanding the basis of my speech, arguments that the Governor is against the word ‘Tamil Nadu’ have become a topic of discussion. Hence, I am giving this clarification to put an end to it,” he added. However, political leaders had sought for an apology from the Governor and said that the explanation was not sufficient.