Tamil Nadu PhD Scholar Publicly Rejects Governor RN Ravi’s Authority at Convocation

A PhD scholar from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, publicly snubbed Governor RN Ravi during a convocation ceremony. The scholar, Jean Joseph, chose to receive her degree from the university’s Vice Chancellor, N Chandrashekhar, who was standing beside the Governor. Approximately 800 scholars were to receive their degrees at the event. After the ceremony, Jean Joseph explained to the media that she refused to accept the degree from the Governor because she believed he had not served the interests of the state and its people. She is the wife of a local DMK leader, and her actions reflect the ongoing political tensions between the DMK government and the Governor, who is often perceived as representing the central government. The Governor’s frequent disagreements with the state government have made him unpopular with many in Tamil Nadu, especially within the DMK. Although certificates are usually handed out before the ceremony, allowing scholars to pose for photos, Joseph bypassed the Governor. She handed her certificate to the Vice Chancellor and posed for a picture with him, ignoring the advice of the Vice Chancellor to do otherwise. When asked why she chose to snub the Governor, Joseph stated that because she felt the Governor had not acted in the interest of the Tamil people and was, in her view, working against the state, she preferred to receive her degree from the Vice Chancellor. She added that she supports the ‘Dravidian Model’ of government, which she believes the Governor opposes, and that this was a key factor in her decision.