Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Sunday, 2 November 2025, described Sanatana Dharma as the “soul of Bharat” and said it is “all-inclusive,” embracing even those who criticise it. He was speaking at the Mani Vizha, the 60th birth anniversary celebrations of Dharmapuram Adheenam’s 27th pontiff, Srilasri Kailai Masilamani Desiga Gnanasambanda Paramachariya Swamigal held at Dharmapuram Adheenam Arts College in Mayiladuthurai.
“Sanatana means eternal and indestructible. It is all-inclusive. It does not leave out anyone. Even those who do not believe, even those who call Sanatana dengue or malaria, we treat them as ours, because Sanatana cannot exclude them,” the Governor said, referring to a past political comment by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin that had drawn nationwide criticism.
Ravi said Sanatana Dharma, which he called “the soul of Bharat,” treats the entire country as one family. He added that India’s civilisational strength lies in its spiritual inclusivity, a value that institutions like the Dharmapuram Adheenam have preserved for centuries.
He praised the Adheenam for its contribution to Tamil heritage, spirituality, and education, noting that it had “served through the worst of times.” Reflecting on the colonial period, Ravi said the British sought to “destroy our culture, our identity, and our language,” but institutions like the Adheenam “preserved and promoted Tamil.”
The Governor recalled how British officials had dismissed Tamil as a “vernacular” or “dialect of the slaves.” Referring to one such episode involving British official J.C. Rollo Eso, who claimed Tamil was unfit for science or philosophy, Ravi said Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi had written a powerful rebuttal in The Hindu, asserting Tamil’s intellectual and scientific depth.
He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to promote the Tamil language, recalling the installation of the Sengol presented by Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam during India’s Independence in the new Parliament building. “The way Narendra Modi has promoted Tamil, I don’t think anyone who claims to serve the language has done even 10% of what he has achieved,” he said, describing Modi as a “great lover of the Tamil language.”
Emphasising the Adheenam’s contribution to education and social welfare, Ravi noted that it runs more than 50 educational institutions and medical centres. “By 2047, Bharat must become a fully developed, self-reliant nation and also a Vishwa Guru and Vishwa Vidya. Aadheenams must play a greater role in this mission,” he said.
During the event, the Governor distributed assistive devices to people with disabilities on behalf of the Adheenam. Other speakers included Kunnakudi Tiruvannamalai Adheenam Seer 27th Gurumaha Sannithanam Kunnakudi Ponnambala Adigalar and former Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice S. Vaidyanathan.
Ravi also presented translated copies of books released by the Adheenam to the guests, concluding his address by commending the Adheenam for continuing to guide society spiritually while strengthening the nation’s cultural fabric.
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