New Delhi: The governor of Tamil Nadu R.N. Ravi – at the centre of controversy over his use of the word ‘Tamizhagam’ for ‘Tamil Nadu’ – has released a ‘clarification’ saying that his use of the word stemmed from his belief that it was the more appropriate expression given historical context.Ravi had earlier this month said that ‘Tamizhagam’ is the “more appropriate word” to call the state of Tamil Nadu. Shortly after that, he also called himself the ‘Tamizhaga Aalunar’ or ‘Tamizhagam governor’ on official invitations to the Pongal Peruvizha festival at the Chennai Raj Bhavan.The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham party, in power in Tamil Nadu, believes Ravi’s insistence on the use of ‘Tamizhagam’ – which is commonly used to referred to the state – voices the Bharatiya Janata Party’s anxieties over the word ‘Tamil Nadu’. ‘Nadu‘ means ‘country’ in Tamil and the party ruling the Union fears that its use will lead to “secessionist tendencies.”Several state BJP leaders also opposed the governor’s stance over the word.In his statement, Ravi said that he used ‘Tamizhagam’ on January 4 at an event to celebrate the “age-old cultural connect of Tamil people with Kashi,” the city which is called Varanasi now.“…[W]hile dwelling upon the historical cultural connect between the two, I referred to the word ‘Tamizhagam.’ In those days, there was no ‘Tamil Nadu’. Hence in historical cultural context, I referred to the word ‘Tamizhagam’ as a ‘more appropriate expression’,” the governor wrote.His use was not a suggestion to change the state’s name, he said.“An interpretation or inference that it was a suggestion to change the name of Tamil Nadu is erroneous and far-fetched,” the statement added.“Without understanding the basis of my speech, arguments that the Governor is against the word ‘Tamil Nadu’ have become a topic of discussion. Hence, I am giving this clarification to put an end to it,” Ravi said.Ravi’s clarification comes shortly after “New Delhi had called him in at a time when the BJP leadership felt that Ravi’s tough stance was hurting the party,” Indian Express has reported.The DMK has said that this is not an isolated incident. Party spokesperson Salem Dharanidharan said that Ravi had deviated from script in the assembly – an unprecedented event for the state – and also claimed that Ravi has been “kindling controversies time and again,” putting 20 bills on hold.