Tamil Nadu Governor asks college students to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, stokes new row

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has found himself at the center of yet another political controversy after reportedly asking college students to chant “Jai Shri Ram” during a public event. The incident, which took place during a convocation ceremony at a government-run college in Coimbatore, has triggered widespread backlash from opposition parties, academics, and civil society groups, who have accused the Governor of promoting religious slogans in an educational setting.

According to sources present at the event, Governor Ravi, while addressing the graduating students, praised Indian cultural heritage and spiritual traditions before asking the gathering to raise the chant of “Jai Shri Ram.” Several attendees were reportedly taken aback by the unexpected remark, which many interpreted as an endorsement of a specific religious-political ideology.

While a section of the audience responded with the chant, others remained silent or visibly uncomfortable, sources said.

The Governor’s move was quickly condemned by political leaders across Tamil Nadu. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) strongly objected to the Governor’s comments, accusing him of overstepping constitutional boundaries and attempting to saffronize educational spaces.

“This is a blatant misuse of office. A Governor is a constitutional authority, not a preacher. Our educational institutions are not platforms for religious slogans,” said DMK spokesperson T.R. Baalu. He added that the DMK government would formally register its protest with the President of India.

Other opposition leaders also criticized the Governor’s actions. “This is not just about religion — it’s about maintaining the secular fabric of our country,” said M.K. Kanimozhi, MP and senior DMK leader. “What message are we sending to students from minority communities when a constitutional head promotes such slogans?”

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) echoed similar sentiments, warning against the politicization of education and the marginalization of non-Hindu communities.

However, supporters of the Governor and leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to his defense, arguing that chanting “Jai Shri Ram” should not be seen as communal or divisive. BJP Tamil Nadu chief K. Annamalai stated, “There is nothing wrong in celebrating our cultural identity. ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is a symbol of Indian heritage, and those who are objecting to it are doing so for political mileage.”

Annamalai accused the DMK of playing vote-bank politics and suppressing expressions of faith under the guise of secularism.

The incident has reignited the debate around the role of Governors in Indian states, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where tensions between the Governor’s office and elected governments have been simmering. Critics argue that Governor Ravi has frequently taken positions that align more with the central ruling party than with the state’s political ethos.

This is not the first time Governor Ravi has courted controversy. In the past, he has been criticized for skipping key parts of his Assembly speeches, refusing to sign bills passed by the state legislature, and making statements perceived as undermining Tamil cultural identity.

Educationists and civil society organizations have expressed concern over the growing politicization of campuses and convocation ceremonies. “Such gestures are entirely inappropriate in a diverse, secular country. Students come from various backgrounds, and educational institutions should remain inclusive and apolitical,” said Dr. Meena Krishnaswamy, a professor of political science at Madras University.

The Tamil Nadu government is expected to raise the matter formally with the Union Government and seek clarification on the constitutional propriety of the Governor’s actions.

As the political storm continues to build, the incident has once again brought into focus the delicate balance between cultural pride, religious expression, and the secular values enshrined in India’s Constitution — especially within public institutions.