PhD Scholar Walks Past Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to Receive Certificate from Vice Chancellor Instead

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A PhD scholar declined to accept her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi during the 32nd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University on Wednesday. Jean Joseph V claimed Ravi acted against Tamil Nadu’s interests and instead received her degree from Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekhar.

Jean Joseph V, a doctorate recipient, ignored Ravi on stage and approached Chandrasekhar to collect her certificate. The governor, serving as the university’s chancellor, was the chief guest. The ceremony saw 109 graduates and 650 PhD scholars receive degrees, with Ravi, Chandrasekhar, and AP Dimri, Director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, participating.

Jean Joseph V later explained her actions. She stated she refused the degree from Ravi because he had not contributed to Tamil Nadu. She said, “The governor’s actions are against Tamil and Tamil Nadu. It was my decision. I have a choice about from whom I can receive my degree. That’s why I didn’t want to accept my doctorate from him.”

She further added, “I believe in the Dravidian model. I thought why should I receive the degree from the governor who is against Tamil and Tamil Nadu. I learned Chandrasekar has significant achievements. I felt he was the right person to receive the award from. There is no personal reason behind the refusal.”

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She also questioned the degree-conferral system, asking if suitable figures like the Chief Minister or the Minister for Higher Education could present degrees instead. Video footage showed Jean Joseph V bypassing Ravi and posing with Chandrasekhar, holding her degree.

A senior professor at the university noted that the staff initially assumed Jean Joseph V was Chandrasekhar’s candidate, preferring to receive the degree from him. They later realized her action was deliberate.

Jean Joseph V works as a senior manager in a private company in Nagercoil. Her husband, M Rajan, serves as deputy secretary of the DMK’s Nagercoil corporation. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, has clashed with Governor Ravi, accusing him of delaying assent to state assembly bills, obstructing the elected government, and attempting to run a parallel administration.

The incident sparked political reactions outside the university. The BJP urged DMK members to cease such actions for party recognition. Former BJP state president K Annamalai stated, “Chief Minister MK Stalin should instruct his party members to keep DMK’s low-level politics out of educational institutions.”

Jean Joseph V elaborated on her stance, saying, “I believe in the DMK’s Dravidian Model governance, so I felt this was not right. I am questioning the system. I avoided speaking against the governor to maintain my state’s dignity.”

The event underscored ongoing tensions between the state government and the governor, with DMK criticizing Ravi’s role in legislative delays. University officials offered no further comment on the refusal. The convocation, marking the university’s 32nd, focused on celebrating academic achievements.

She emphasized systemic concerns over representation in degree conferrals, not personal motives. The ceremony included students from various disciplines receiving qualifications. Video evidence documented Jean Joseph V moving directly to Chandrasekhar after passing Ravi. DMK’s disputes with Ravi involve accusations of interference in state governance, with calls for better cooperation.

Jean Joseph V’s role in Nagercoil’s private sector remains separate from her husband’s political position. The convocation concluded with all degrees conferred as planned. The university operates under the governor’s chancellorship. [Rh/Eth/VS]

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