In his latest push for cultural revival, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Saturday asserted that "Bharat" is far more than just a piece of geography — it is a mother — and called for Vande Mataram to be given the same status as the National Anthem.
Speaking at an event in the state, the Governor lamented that the spiritual and emotional concept of the nation as a mother had been sidelined in the decades following Independence. "Bharat is not just a geographical entity. It is mother. Unfortunately, after Independence, we started ignoring it," he told the gathering.
Ravi’s remarks focused heavily on the status of Vande Mataram, a song that has been at the centre of several recent debates between the Raj Bhavan and the state government. He said that the song had been unfairly ignored in the past and needs to share the same status as Jana Gana Mana. "We need to get the song played," he maintained in reference to how the song remains very relevant to this day in Tamil Nadu because students in various schools and colleges compete in events in memory of the song.
The Governor’s comments are likely to be seen under this umbrella of his continuous friction with the Tamil Nadu state government, and particularly following his insistence on playing the national anthem at the start of assembly proceedings. Yet there are indications of his speech during the weekend confining itself strictly and solely to addressing its cultural and emotional appeal without offering any political or administrative criticisms.
Also read: By skipping Assembly speech, TN Guv disrespected office: Stalin
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