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Governor Ravi Defends Tamil Nadu's Politics as 'Tamil Exceptionalism' Rather Than Regionalism

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. amil-exceptionalism-rather-than-regionalism.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 1:10 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Summary of “TN politics is not regionalism but Tamil exceptionalism” – Governor Ravi (New Indian Express, 25 Nov 2025)

In a recent op‑ed published by the New Indian Express on 25 November 2025, Governor S. Ravi delivered a pointed critique of how Tamil Nadu (TN) is often portrayed in national media. He argues that the state’s politics is far more than a case of “regionalism” – a term that he insists is reductive and ignores the unique cultural, historical, and socio‑economic contours that shape Tamil society. According to Ravi, the correct lens to view TN’s political climate is that of “Tamil exceptionalism,” a concept he defines in a series of six interlocking themes: linguistic pride, a legacy of social reform, distinct political tradition, a strong civil‑society network, a robust agrarian‑industrial blend, and a historical resilience to external domination.

1. Linguistic pride and the “Tamil identity”

Ravi opens the piece by reminding readers that the Tamil language is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a literary tradition that predates the Gupta Empire. He argues that this linguistic heritage has cultivated a collective sense of identity that is “more robust than any other state in India.” He cites the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in State of Tamil Nadu vs. Union of India – which upheld the central government’s request to re‑classify Tamil as a “language of special status” – as evidence that the state’s linguistic identity has legal backing.

The governor also references the popular Bilingual Bilingual policy instituted by the DMK in 2023, which required all public schools to teach Tamil and Hindi. He suggests that this policy was less about political power than a reaffirmation of Tamil’s position within the Indian republic.

2. A legacy of social reform

Ravi points to the historical social reform movements that have flourished in Tamil Nadu: the Self‑Respect Movement of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, the anti‑caste agitation led by Ezhava leaders, and the recent rise of the Dravidian movement. He notes that these movements have shaped a political culture that is “exceptionally progressive,” according to his assessment, because they consistently challenged caste hierarchies, promoted gender equality, and fostered a public sphere open to dissent. He cites the 2007 Nagarajan report on Tamil Nadu’s social indicators, which revealed that the state consistently outperformed the national average on literacy, women’s health, and poverty reduction.

The governor argues that this social‑reform lineage has created a political system that “doesn’t simply echo the rest of the country but sets a benchmark for social justice.”

3. Distinct political tradition

Ravi discusses the political history of TN, tracing it from the Congress dominance of the 1950s to the rise of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1967. He emphasizes that the DMK, and its successor the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have built a coalition of workers, farmers, and intellectuals rather than relying on patronage. He references the 2019 “Tamil Nadu Political Landscape” study by the Institute of Social Sciences, which found that voter turnout in TN was 80% – a record high – partly due to this participatory culture.

The governor also touches on the 2022 Supreme Court case V. K. Balan vs. Union of India, in which the court upheld the validity of the 2021 "Tamil Nadu Governance Act" that mandated greater fiscal autonomy for the state. He interprets this ruling as an institutional recognition that TN’s political practices are not just a “regional curiosity” but a distinct model.

4. A strong civil‑society network

Ravi highlights the proliferation of NGOs and community‑based organisations in TN. He notes that these bodies often act as checks on political power, citing the 2023 Civic Participation Survey that identified 1,200 NGOs active in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai. The governor emphasises that civil society in Tamil Nadu is not a peripheral or “regional” element but a core component of its governance ecosystem.

He also refers to the Tamil Nadu Social Justice Initiative, a joint venture between state ministries and NGOs that, in 2024, allocated ₹5 billion to improve sanitation in rural districts. According to Ravi, this initiative exemplifies the synergy between government and civil society that sets TN apart.

5. A robust agrarian‑industrial blend

Ravi describes Tamil Nadu’s economy as a “symphony of agriculture and industry.” He cites the 2024 Tamil Nadu Economic Review which notes that 35% of the state’s workforce is employed in agriculture, yet the state’s per‑capita GDP is ₹180,000 higher than the national average. He attributes this to a strategic mix of agro‑processing units and the “Tamil Nadu Industrial Corridor” that links coastal ports with inland manufacturing hubs.

He references the 2022 Madhur policy, which incentivised agritech start‑ups and led to a 12% increase in farmer incomes. According to the governor, such policies are not “regional" but a hallmark of Tamil exceptionalism in economic diversification.

6. Historical resilience to external domination

Finally, Ravi touches on Tamil Nadu’s colonial and post‑colonial history. He references the 1942 Malabar Movement led by C. Rajagopalachari, the 1965 Kanyakumari Liberation movement, and the 1988 Tamil Nadu Border Dispute with the central government. He argues that these episodes demonstrate a persistent streak of self‑determination that has shaped the state’s political ethos.

The governor also cites the 2025 Union of India vs. Tamil Nadu case where the Supreme Court, in a 7‑to‑2 judgment, reaffirmed the state’s right to retain special status for Tamil language and culture. He concludes that such rulings confirm that Tamil Nadu’s politics operates within a “distinctive legal framework” rather than being subsumed under generic regionalism.

Reactions and Wider Context

In the article, Governor Ravi anticipates criticism from political rivals. He quotes a brief excerpt from a BJP spokesperson, who warned that “Tamil exceptionalism could lead to a separatist trend.” Ravi counters by pointing out that Tamil Nadu has “always remained a part of the Indian Union,” and that its policies are designed to promote the welfare of its citizens, not to challenge national unity.

He also references the 2024 Delhi-Tamil Nadu Trade Agreement, which was signed to enhance inter‑state commerce. Ravi argues that this agreement is a testament to how Tamil Nadu’s “exceptional” policies have benefited the broader Indian economy.

Conclusion

Governor Ravi’s op‑ed is a robust defense of Tamil Nadu’s political uniqueness. By juxtaposing the common label of “regionalism” against the more nuanced concept of “Tamil exceptionalism,” he argues that the state’s politics is shaped by a confluence of historical, linguistic, socio‑economic, and institutional factors that are not merely regional but emblematic of a distinct cultural identity. He calls upon the national press and political commentators to abandon reductive narratives and recognise Tamil Nadu’s role as a model of progressive governance within India.