CPI Leader D Raja Denounces Tamil Nadu Governor's Secularism Remarks

CPI leader D Raja condemned Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi's statement questioning secularism, describing it as a European concept irrelevant to India. Raja emphasized India's constitutional commitment to secularism and criticized the idea of a Hindu Rashtra, highlighting Dr. BR Ambedkar's warnings against such a development.

CPI leader D Raja on Monday condemned Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi's statement on secularism, questioning his understanding of the concept and India's constitutional values. Raja also highlighted that Dr. BR Ambedkar had warned of a calamity if a Hindu Rashtra were to become reality.

Raja said, "I strongly deplore the statement made by RN Ravi. What does he know about secularism? What does he know about India? He is a governor...he must abide by the Constitution. The Constitution of India defines India as a secular democratic republic...Dr. BR Ambedkar emphatically rejected the theocratic concept. Ambedkar went to the extent of saying, if at all Hindu Rashtra becomes a fact, that will be a calamity for the nation. Secularism means keeping religion and politics separate. Keep religion and election separate. Don't bring Gods for electoral purposes." Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday sparked controversy by claiming that secularism is a European concept that doesn't belong in India.

While addressing the people at a convocation of Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham in Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari, RN Ravi said, "A lot of frauds have been committed to the people of this country, and one of them is that they have been given a wrong interpretation of secularism. What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it's not a Bhartiya concept." He further stated that secularism should remain in Europe and is not needed in India.

RN Ravi elaborated, "In Europe, secularism arose due to a conflict 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." This is not the first time the Tamil Nadu Governor has made such statements. Last year, he said the people who want to break this country have provided a distorted interpretation of secularism.

"Our Constitution is not against 'dharma' ...it is the people who want to break this country who have given a distorted interpretation of secularism. We have to understand the true meaning of secularism in our constitution....those talking about eradicating Hinduism have a hidden agenda to break this country in collaboration with hostile foreign powers. They will not succeed as Bharat has inherent strength," the Tamil Nadu Governor said.

(With inputs from agencies.)