New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi triggered a major controversy on Monday with his remarks stating that secularism is a European concept, irrelevant to India. Addressing the convocation of Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetham in Kanyakumari, Ravi stated, 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 secularism is not a Bhartiya concept. He further emphasized that secularism stemmed from historical conflicts between the church and state in Europe, asserting that India, deeply rooted in Dharma, has no need for secularism.This statement immediately drew strong criticism from political leaders. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) slammed the Governor for his remarks. DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan argued, “Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe. Particularly the Governor, he had not gone through the Constitution of India. Article 25 says that there should be conscious freedom of religion that he doesnt know.”CPI leader D Raja on the situation Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja also condemned the statement, asserting, 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.Raja also referenced Dr. BR Ambedkar, stating, Dr. Ambedkar emphatically rejected the theocratic concept… secularism means keeping religion and politics separate... dont bring Gods for electoral purposes.”
