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A PhD graduate refused to receive her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor and University Chancellor RN Ravi, and instead accepted it from the Vice-Chancellor at the 32nd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tirunelveli on Wednesday, August 14. The convocation ceremony, attended by more than 650 graduates, was proceeding as scheduled, with each recipient going up to the Governor to collect their degree and exchange greetings.
However, when it was the turn of research scholar Jean Joseph, hailing from Nagercoil, she walked past the Governor without acknowledging him and went directly to Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar, from whom she accepted her degree. Jean Joseph is the wife of M Rajan, Deputy Secretary of the DMK's Nagercoil town unit.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Jean Joseph explained her decision, saying, "Governor RN Ravi has been acting against the interests of Tamil Nadu and Tamils. I did not want to receive my degree from him."
Her statement quickly went viral, adding fuel to ongoing political tensions between the Tamil Nadu government and the Governor over various issues.
The incident has sparked sharp debate on social media. Supporters of her action praised it as a bold expression of dissent against what they see as the Governor's overreach, while critics argued that a university convocation was not the appropriate platform for political protest.
University authorities have so far not issued an official statement on the matter.
The Governor's office also declined to comment. This is not the first time Governor Ravi has faced visible protests in public forums.
In recent months, his presence at events in Tamil Nadu has been met with boycotts and symbolic demonstrations by sections of students and political groups aligned with the state government.