Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Sunday questioned the intent behind the slogan "Tamil Nadu Poradum" (Tamil Nadu will fight), often seen on posters across the state, asking, "With whom will you fight?" His remarks sparked a sharp rebuttal from Chief Minister M K Stalin, who outlined multiple reasons why the state was "fighting" — primarily against what he called the Centre’s "arrogance" and anti-democratic actions.

Speaking at the 202nd Avatar Day of Swami Thiruvarutprakasa Vallalar, Governor Ravi said:

“Whenever I travel the State, I find posters on the wall stating ‘Tamil Nadu Poradum.’ With whom will you fight? We all are brothers and sisters. This (thinking) has to go out of our mind.”

He insisted that there was "no conflict", and stressed unity:

“We must live together and prosper together.”

However, Chief Minister Stalin responded with a series of posts on social media platform ‘X’, asserting that Tamil Nadu is indeed in a struggle — not out of choice, but in response to central government actions perceived as discriminatory.

“Tamil Nadu is fighting against the arrogance that education funds will be released only if Hindi is accepted in the State,” Stalin said, in a pointed reference to what the DMK alleges is a language imposition by the Union government.

He went on to list other reasons behind the "fight":

  • Against anti-democratic forces that undermine elected governments.
  • Against those threatening to divert industrial growth and job opportunities to other states.
  • Against the threat of delimitation, which he said is a conspiracy to weaken the voice and strength of southern states like Tamil Nadu.