‘Didn’t want degree from him’: TN PhD scholar walks past Governor, receives degree from VC

A PhD scholar from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University refused to receive her degree from Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi during the 32nd convocation, held today. According to the scholar, Governor is working against the interests of Tamil Nadu and the Tamils.

During the convocation ceremony, PhD scholar Jean Joseph walks past the Tamil Nadu Governor and hands over her degree to the university’s vice chancellor N Chandrasekar to receive it from him, as per the video posted by The Hindu on its X account.

"As the Governor is working against Tamil Nadu and the Tamils, I didn't want to receive the degree from him. Instead, I received my PhD degree from the Vice Chancellor," Joseph from Nagercoil said.

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As per Sivakumaran C, a machine learning engineer, the PhD student Jean Joseph is the wife of DMK Nagercoil Corporation Deputy Secretary M Rajan.

The move, caught on video, went viral on social media platforms. Many users on the X platform expressed mixed reactions. While some praised her bold move, others criticised it as ‘disrespectful.’

An X user wrote in the comments: “Excellent. What a brave Woman!”

Another commented: “Her name suggests her anger ! Going by her logic, she should have boycotted the ceremony itself as DMK itself acts against the interests of the state!Ricebag addicts.”