Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, on Sunday, June 8, called for the idea of Bharat Mata to be kept above political and ideological disputes, saying it should not become a subject of controversy. “All Indians grow up taking a pledge as sons and daughters of one mother,” Arlekar said while addressing a felicitation event in Nedumangad for students who won a quiz based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat radio programme. “The idea of Bharat Mata should rise above politics,” he added, calling it “unfortunate” that it had become contentious.
Former Union Minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan, also present at the event, said the Governor’s remarks reflected the Prime Minister’s “nation first” philosophy.
Referring to the recent controversy over an image of Bharat Mata, the Governor remarked, “Can we make our own mother a subject of debate? Those who once hesitated to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ are now saying it. That is something to be welcomed.”
The comments come in the wake of a row over the display of a Bharat Mata image at the Raj Bhavan during World Environment Day celebrations on June 5. Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad boycotted the event, alleging that the image used was one associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), not the version typically displayed at official functions.
“This is not the regular Bharat Mata picture we use,” Prasad said. “It was changed at the last minute, and when we requested its removal, the Governor refused. So we decided not to participate.”
In response, the state government held a separate Environment Day event at the Secretariat’s Durbar Hall, overseen by Chief Secretary V Venu.
The incident has deepened tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the Left-led state government. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and former minister Binoy Viswam criticised the choice of image, saying, “We respect the idea of Bharat Mata, but what was displayed is linked to a particular ideology. That is not acceptable at official functions.”
The image displayed at the Raj Bhavan depicted Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag in her hand, rather than the usual tricolour Indian flag.
This controversy is the latest in a series of clashes between Governor Arlekar and the state government. Just last month, the Governor drew criticism for inviting RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy to speak at a Raj Bhavan event, prompting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to accuse him of misusing his constitutional post for ideological ends.