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Guv RN Ravi voiced concern over frequent Dalit atrocities, blaming political parties for hindering social reform and contrasting Kerala’s socio-spiritual movements with Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi (Photo/ANI)
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Sunday expressed deep concern over the continuing atrocities against Dalits in the state, saying that such incidents occur here more frequently than in other parts of the country despite high levels of literacy and education.
Speaking at an event, Governor Ravi expressed that he was “deeply pained” by frequent reports of Dalit community members being attacked and even killed solely because of their caste identity.
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“I read the story of some of our brothers and sisters being beaten up, assaulted and killed because they belong to a certain community, a community that some people consider untouchable. This is unacceptable. Dalits are our brothers and sisters. We cannot discriminate against them socially,” the Governor said.
Governor Ravi noted that despite Tamil Nadu’s impressive achievements in education, with a Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education exceeding 50%, far above the national average of under 30%, the state continues to grapple with social discrimination.
“In a State with so much literacy, in a State where saints for thousands of years have taught us that we are all one, such practices are shameful,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with neighbouring Kerala, the Governor said the key difference lay in the way social reform movements had evolved in the two states.
“A similar problem existed in our neighbouring states. But we don’t see such incidents often in Kerala, unlike here. I realised it was because, in Kerala, great saints led socio-spiritual movements. Unfortunately, in our State, it was hijacked by political parties. Politics got into it and did not develop into a social reform movement,” he said.
He further accused political parties of deliberately keeping society divided for their own benefit.
“We know politics is about competition for power. This politics has been benefiting from this problem,” he said. “Why can’t the political parties make their cadres swear that they will not practice social discrimination? They are doing it deliberately as they profit from it. When society is divided, some people prosper.”
Tamil Nadu, India, India
October 05, 2025, 17:19 IST
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