Kerala Minister skips Raj Bhavan event over RSS-linked flag in Bharat Mata image
In another flashpoint in the ongoing row between the Kerala government and Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Education Minister V Sivankutty boycotted a Scouts and Guides programme at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, objecting to the display of a 'Bharat Mata' picture that featured a flag associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).Sivankutty, who is also the president of the state Scouts and Guides, was present to give out awards to students. Although he completed the formal part of the ceremony, he publicly declared he was boycotting the event due to the presence of the controversial image.advertisementAccording to sources, the state government had earlier conveyed to Raj Bhavan that the picture of Bharat Mata with the RSS flag should not be used for official functions.
Reacting sharply to the minister's conduct, Raj Bhavan issued a press note condemning Sivankutty's exit as a 'gross violation of protocol' and a 'grave insult' to the office of the Governor. It said the minister left the venue without informing the Governor and accused him of setting a "wrong precedent" before students.'The Minister came with a prepared speech, an indication of an impending showdown. It is a pity that the Education Minister admitted to the audience that the portrait of Bharatamba is not familiar to him,' the statement read. It added that the minister's behaviour amounted to an insult to the disciplined Scouts and Guides present, apart from the Governor himself.advertisementThe controversy is not new. Earlier, the agriculture department had shifted a government programme from Raj Bhavan to the Secretariat after similar objections were raised. At the time, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had come down heavily on the Governor, saying, 'Raj Bhavan should not be turned into a place for implementing RSS agendas.'Addressing the media on Thursday, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's position, making a clear distinction between personal beliefs and official protocol.'Some are asking what is the problem in honouring Bharat Mata. What we should see is that our Constitution does not uphold the concept of Bharat Mata. The flag in Bharat Mata is of RSS. They can honour it, but don't think everyone should follow the same,' he said.He added that while individuals may hold different ideological views, state events must adhere to government-approved norms. 'Raj Bhavan is not a place which should be turned into a venue for political campaigns. Such moves can only be seen as a challenge to the Constitution,' the Chief Minister stated.
IN THIS STORY#Kerala
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