Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday accused the state of crimes against a pre-appointed caste on the state. “In 2020, there were 12,174 such cases. In just two years, this number has increased by more than 1,800, an increase of 50%. Crimes against Dalit women are increasing,” he said in a presidential speech commemorating Bharathiar Mandapam’s Baba Saheb Br Ambedkar of Raj Bhavan.
The conviction rate for such crimes in Tamil Nadu is less than half of the national average. Ravi said these are facts – not political speech. “Discrimination still exists without doubting it. But the stories we hear in Tamil Nadu, a country that claims advocates for social justice is heartbreaking,” Ravi said. “When I came to Tamil Nadu, a state where social justice is often talked about, I was distressed by the plight of the Dalit siblings.”
He said 66 people died in tragedies like the death of illegal alcohol in Kallakurichi, hundreds suffered, and most of the victims were Dalits.
Take a look at the education status of our Dalit children in public schools – more than half of high school students are unable to read the second standard book. They cannot determine the two numbers between 11 and 99. However, they received 100% pass grades and received admission to the university. But there are only certain degrees, no skills, no real skills, no real education, no real education.
This is the era of knowledge economy. Without skills and education, our youth will have no future. He said private schools flourished and produced the best students in the country, while public schools were also the worst, even worse than some historically underperforming states.
“Who is this victim of this educational gap? Poor Dalit children. They are condemned as poor because they do not receive a quality education. When they graduate, they are unable to find employment. It is a terrible situation.”
“It’s not a political issue, it’s a human issue. It’s a social issue. These children are our brothers and sisters. They should have a dignity. The constitution promises a dignity for every citizen. How can there be dignity when they are condemned of poverty and illusions?” Ravi said.
publishing – April 15, 2025 at 12:50 am IST
