Plea before Madras High Court against TN Governor RN Ravi for holding "office of profit" as chairperson of Auroville Foundation

A Kancheepuram resident moved the Madras High Court on Tuesday against Tamil Nadu (TN) Governor RN Ravi, for holding "office of profit" as chairperson of governing body in Auroville Foundation, while also being the Governor of State [M Kannadasan v UOI & Ors]..The public interest litigation (PIL) petition was filed by one M Kannadasan, district President of the socio-political group, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam.The PIL said that the Constitution of India prohibits Governors of States from occupying any office of profit. .The plea further said that following his appointment by the Central government as the Auroville Foundation Chairperson in October 2021, he he has been drawing a salary as the Foundation's chairperson and also availing provident fund and other benefits even as he continues to be the Governor of Tamil Nadu..Therefore, Ravi being the Foundation's chairperson means he has been occupying an office of profit and is, therefore, liable to be disqualified from the post of TN Governor, the petitioner submitted."I state that a disqualified person cannot continue in the office of Governor. As on date the office of Governor the 3rd respondent is holding is not valid. It is submitted that the moment the 3rd respondent entered the office of chairman of Auroville Foundation he had violated Article 158(2) of Constitution of India and ceases to be Governor of State of Tamil Nadu," contended the petitioner in plea..The plea also said that since taking charge of the TN Governor's office in September 2021, Ravi has been making public statements espousing the cause of Sanatan Dharma, which goes against the non-religious Dravidian movement and the founding principles of the Auroville Foundation."It is against the principles of the Dravidian movement, since Sanathana Dharma divides the people into four varnas and according to the Sanathana Dharma, Brahmins are the superior people and Shudras are created by Brahma to be a slave of Brahmins. It was criticized by the entire Tamil people since the Dravidian movement is based upon no religion and no caste basis and it is aimed at casteless society. Periyar EV Ramasamy advocated Samadharma which means dharma should be equal to all the human beings and no discrimination can be made on the basis of the caste and community by birth," the plea said..A gazette notification was issued in October 2021 by the Ministry of Education that administers Auroville, which announced the appointment of a nine-member board with a term of four years to administer the functioning of the Auroville Foundation. The same notification mentioned the appointment of Ravi as the Foundation's chairperson.

Plea before Madras High Court against TN Governor RN Ravi for holding "office of profit" as chairperson of Auroville Foundation

Ayesha Arvind

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