Raj Bhawan Turned Into Political Party Office: CPI Takes Dig at Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi

Chennai: Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday accused Governor RN Ravi of converting Raj Bhavan into a political party office and said that he was trying to disturb peace in state. 

R Mutharasan, who is state secretary of CPI unit in Tamil Nu alleged that Governor Ravi was trying to portray Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes with religious symbols. 

“ latest attempt was to portray Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes with religious symbols,” Mutharasan said in a statement referring to image printed on Raj Bhavan invitation for a two-day multi-lingual international seminar on "A comparative study on Saint Thiruvalluvar - Kabir Das- Yogi Vemana," held today.

'Tamil Nu Raj Bhawan Turned Into Political Party Office'

In image, Tamil saint was shown wearing rudraksha bes with sacred ash smeared on his forehe. Thiruvalluvar has been depicted only in white robes in state, news agency PTI reported. 

Calling upon people to reject Governor's attempt to saffronise Thiruvalluvar, V Ranganathan, president, Tamil Nu Association for Trained Archakas, said some people would not change even if Thiruvalluvar himself came alive and clarified.

" Governor will affix a saffron sticker on Thiruvalluvar, oldest symbol of Tamil society," he said in a statement and condemned depiction of poet in saffron robes.

Inaugurating seminar, Governor quoted verses of Mahakavi Bharathiyar which meant that "Bharat Mata speaks in different languages, but her soul is one," to emphasise unity beneath India's diversity.

He highlighted how great saints from across India - Thiruvalluvar, Kabir Das, and Yogi Vemana - shared a common, timeless wisdom that defines "Bharat as a Dharmic Rashtra." 

"Bharat transcends caste, creed, and religion, and cannot be properly understood through Western frameworks of a political state," Governor Ravi said.

Also, he noted that in past dece, Bharat has risen with renewed pride and confidence, inspired by its heritage, and stressed importance of inspiring today’s youth to embrace this legacy.

"This seminar aims at deepening our understanding, celebrating our shared heritage, and strengning unity that binds us as a Kutumbam," Ravi said.

In May 2024, Governor paid floral tributes to a portrait of Thiruvalluvar in which saint was shown in saffron with rudrakasha and even n it was opposed by parties.

For several years now, BJP h often depicted Thiruvalluvar in saffron clos and party leers h claimed that he was a Hindu saint, which stoked controversies.

(With inputs from PTI)