Avoid wearing black during graduation ceremony involving Governor Ravi, TN’s Periyar University tells students

Though the university claimed that the direction was based on a request by the Salem police, Commissioner B Vijayakumari said the department has issued no such instruction.

By: Express Web Desk

Chennai | June 27, 2023 12:34 PM IST

2 min read

The university’s statement comes in the wake of an announcement by Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) that they will stage a black flag protest in Salem on Wednesday urging the Governor to “go back” for acting against the interest of Tamil Nadu. (Express file photo)

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A fresh controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district after Periyar University issued a circular directing students to avoid black attire during their graduation ceremony which will be presided over by Governor R N Ravi. The university’s 21st graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

In a circular, university Registrar K Thangavelu said, “Based on the request of the Salem police, I request those who are invited to take part in the ceremony to avoid wearing black outfit and bringing mobile phones.”

However, Salem Police Commissioner B Vijayakumari said the department has issued no such direction. “We did not instruct the university to issue such a circular. Our duty is to ensure that there is proper protection during the event. We reached the university to oversee security arrangements and did not say anything like what has been mentioned in the circular. It is the university’s stand,” she said.

Ravi and Chief Minister MK Stalin have had a series of face-offs in the recent past. Days ago, the governor rejected Stalin’s recommendation that the portfolios of V Senthil Balaji be re-assigned to someone else. Balaji, the Minister for Electricity, Excise and Prohibition, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged cash-for-jobs case.

Earlier in January, the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) burnt an effigy of the governor asking him to leave Tamil Nadu over his suggestion to rechristen the state.

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