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The ongoing ideological standoff between the Kerala government and the Governor’s office escalated sharply, as State Education Minister V Sivankutty walked out of an official function at the Raj Bhavan, protesting the display of a controversial Bharat Mata image that he claimed bore Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) connotations.
The incident occurred on June 19, during a certificate distribution ceremony organised by the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides. Speaking to the media after his abrupt exit, the minister said, “I accepted the invitation to deliver an address. But upon arrival, I noticed the Governor and others paying floral tributes to a depiction of Bharat Mata that is strongly associated with the RSS. I could not accept that.”
“When my turn came to speak, I began by registering my protest directly to the Governor. I made it clear that this image was inappropriate at a state-organised function. I then walked out,” the Minister said. He added that he would have had no issue had the image been of Mahatma Gandhi or even Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Times of India, Sivankutty declared to the audience, “A woman holding a saffron flag is not an official symbol. This move seeks to bring the concept of India and nationalism under Hindutva ideology.” He further accused the Governor of attempting to convert the Raj Bhavan into an “RSS outlet.”
“If this continues, the state government may have to consider withdrawing from all Raj Bhavan programmes,” he warned and added, “I could have walked out with the children, too, but I refrained out of basic decency. Raj Bhavan is not private property.”
This is not the first such incident. On June 5, Agriculture Minister P Prasad had boycotted a World Environment Day event at Raj Bhavan due to the display of a similar Bharat Mata image. In that instance too, the state government organised a parallel event at the Secretariat to avoid participation.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had reportedly received assurances that such images would not be used in future government events, came under criticism from the opposition for his “delayed” response. “This controversy could have been avoided if the CM had taken a firmer stand on June 5 itself,” said Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan.
In a strongly worded statement, the Governor’s office described Minister Sivankutty’s actions as a “public display of misconduct” and a breach of protocol. “He arrived late, left early, and read from a prepared note. His behaviour is viewed with utmost concern,” the Raj Bhavan said. It also added that the Minister’s actions “insulted the students present and set a wrong example.”
The Raj Bhavan also said that “There is no question of doing away with Bharatamba,” dismissing reports that it had agreed to refrain from displaying the image. Multiple reports had said that the Raj Bhavan unofficially agreed to not use Bharat Mata’s portrait in programmes in which the state government participated.
This renewed controversy follows the Governor's remarks earlier this month, in which he said that Bharat Mata should not become a subject of political debate. “Can we make our own mother a subject of debate?” Governor Rajendra Arlekar had said, advocating that the image of Bharat Mata should transcend ideological divides.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have backed the Governor, calling his stance aligned with the “nation first” philosophy espoused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(With IANS inputs)