Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has reacted sharply to Governor RN Ravi's recent comments on Mahatma Gandhi, saying that the remarks were an attempt to tarnish the legacy of the Father of the Nation, the latest in the series of confrontations between the two.
RN Ravi had suggested that Gandhi became a non-event after 1942. His statement was met with immediate backlash, leading to a clarification from Raj Bhavan.
A communique quoted Ravi as saying he meant no disrespect to Gandhi, whose teachings have been a guiding light in his life.
"I did not mean any disrespect to Mahatma Gandhi whose teachings have been the guiding light of my life," a Raj Bhavan communique quoting Mr Ravi said Saturday referring to his speech at the 127th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on January 23.
He also blamed the media for selective reporting. Some media "did cherry-pick" from the speech and "gave it a twist," the Governor added.
Stalin defended Gandhi, emphasising Gandhi's stance against religious nationalism, and stating that the leader had sacrificed his life opposing religious fanaticism.
He accused the Governor and others of trying to distort history by undermining Gandhi's pivotal role in India's freedom struggle.
"The right-wing vilifies the Father of the Nation with lies. Their destruction of Gandhi's fame lies in changing Gandhi Jayanti to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. This indicates how the present period is stuck in the slush of communalism. We need to stop this," said Stalin.
The CM further criticized the rebranding of Gandhi Jayanti as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, suggesting it was indicative of the present era’s entanglement with communalism.
He also called for a collective effort to preserve Gandhi’s fame and the principles of communal harmony he championed, while announcing the party's plans to hold a Communal Harmony Pledge on October 30, marking the day of Gandhi's assassination.
The meeting would have members of all religions. Stalin also gave a list of slogans to be raised at these district capital venues across the state emphasising the importance of communal harmony.