Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, following his visit to the families affected by the tragic 1968 Keezhvenmani massacre, has stirred controversy by alleging administrative negligence and purported corruption leading to the denial of benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to villagers in Nagapattinam district. The Governor's assertion came after engaging with Palanivel, a survivor of the Keezhvenmani incident.
The Keezhvenmani massacre remains a somber chapter in Tamil Nadu's history, where 44 individuals, including women and children, were tragically burned alive by the henchmen of landlords for demanding better wages.
After his visit to Keezhvenmani, RN Ravi took a swipe at the ruling DMK government in the state, expressing his sentiments on X, stating, "The juxtaposition of an extravagant, high-cost concrete monument in Keezhvenmani village, purportedly erected to honor the memory of the 44 impoverished laborers massacred amidst the surrounding humble thatched dwellings, by a political faction professing to advocate for the working class, is not only paradoxical but also a scornful affront to the memory of the martyrs and the destitute."
Palanivel, representing the village's plight, appealed to the Governor for assistance for families still grappling with poverty. "Numerous families continue to reside below the poverty line, bearing the brunt of historical landlord oppression. I beseeched the Governor to extend whatever aid he could," Palanivel remarked.
However, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan countered the Governor's assertions, accusing him of historical unawareness. Elangovan asserted, "Governor Ravi displays a profound lack of comprehension regarding the Keezhvenmani episode. It was under our administration that corrective measures were taken, including land allocation and the implementation of the Land Ceiling Act, capping land ownership at 15 acres. His remarks are indicative of his ignorance. The Governor's grasp of historical and political matters appears deficient. His appointment seems aimed at causing discord within the state."
