Vice-Chancellors face severe pressure and threats, says Governor

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Tuesday alleged Vice-Chancellors of State universities faced pressures and threats when they took up certain initiatives.

Stating that he lamented the absence of dedicated efforts on late poet Subramania Bharathi [to promote / carry out research on the works] in State universities, Mr. Ravi said, “When a Bharathiar Chair can be established at Banaras Hindu University under the leadership of the Prime Minister, why do such initiatives not exist in Tamil Nadu?”. Further, he claimed that “despite Vice-Chancellors expressing willingness to take up such initiatives, they face severe pressure and threats.”

A Raj Bhavan release said the Governor made the observation during a function organised to felicitate scholar Seeni Viswanathan, who has been named to receive the Padma Shri award for his contribution towards compiling the literary works of Subramania Bharathi.

The Governor criticised the “hollow rhetoric of those who claim to uphold the pride of Tamil language and culture though they made no efforts or contributions”. He asserted that true reverence was in preserving and promoting Tamil’s rich literary heritage.

“Given this situation, the Governor called upon the society to take ownership of Bharathiar’s legacy, ensuring that his ideals remain a guiding force for future generations,” it said.

Recalling the initiatives undertaken by the Raj Bhavan in this regard, the Governor pointed to the installation of Subramania Bharathi’s statue, conduct of State-level essay competitions, and renaming of the ‘Durbar Hall’ as ‘Bharathiar Mandapam’ under the leadership of the President of India.

He also said Bharathi belonged “to all of Bharat” and he further stressed the importance of translating the works of the late poet into various Indian languages.