On Cam: PhD Student Refuses To Accept Degree From Tamil Nadu Governor

Jean Joseph, a PhD student at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, refused to accept her doctorate from Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi at the convocation.

The incident sparked social media attention.

Source : X

At the convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, PhD student Jean Joseph declined to receive her doctorate from Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, alleging that the Governor has acted against the interests of Tamil people and the Tamil language. Instead, Jean Joseph accepted the degree from the university’s Vice-Chancellor, M. Chandrasekar. The incident drew attention on social media, highlighting the student’s public stand against what she described as the Governor’s bias toward Tamil Nadu and its culture.

Jean Joseph, a PhD scholar and wife of DMK Nagercoil Deputy Secretary M. Rajan, pointedly avoided receiving her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, who was presiding as the chief guest.

In a video that quickly went viral, Governor Ravi is seen smiling and motioning for Joseph to join him, but she walks past without hesitation, accepting her certificate instead from Vice Chancellor N. Chandrasekar. After thanking the Vice Chancellor, Joseph leaves the stage as Ravi offers a polite nod in return.

Explaining her stance to reporters later, Joseph said that Governor RN Ravi had been acting against the interests of Tamil Nadu and Tamils, and that she had not wanted to receive her degree from him.

PhD student refuses to receive her doctorate from the TN Governor #RNRavi at the convocation.

Manonmaniam Sundaranar Uni PhD student Jean Joseph has refused to receive her Doctorate from the Governor stating that he is acting against the #Tamil language and Tamil people. pic.twitter.com/FNzSRBeB60

— Mugilan Chandrakumar (@Mugilan__C) August 13, 2025

 

Taking to X, former TN BJP Chief Annamalai said, "For ages, the deplorable dramas staged by DMK members to gain fame within the party, using educational institutions as well, are strongly condemnable. The Chief Minister, Mr. @mkstalin, must advise his party members not to bring the DMK's low-grade politics into educational institutions."