Row between Raj Bhavan and Kerala govt. over Bharat Mata portrait escalates

The row between Raj Bhavan and the Kerala government over the former's use of an image of Bharat Mata sitting astride a lion and holding a saffron flag, arguably a symbol of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), at the official State functions hosted by the Raj Bhavan appeared to escalate on Saturday (June 21, 2025).
On Saturday, despite protests from the government that the Raj Bhavan's use of the picture of Bharat Mata with the saffron flag at constitutional offices or State events was a mockery of the national flag and the Constitution, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar began the International Yoga Day celebrations by lighting a lamp in front of the very same garlanded picture, making it clear that his idea of patriotism aligned with the image of Bharat Mata with the saffron flag.
On Thursday when the General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, had walked out of an official function at the Raj Bhavan, protesting over the use of Bharat Mata picture at the State function, Mr. Arlekar had stood his ground, ruling out the removal of the picture from the Raj Bhavan's Central hall, the customary venue of official events.
Following this, ABVP workers as well as SFI activists had taken out separate protests in the city, with the former showing the black flag at Mr. Sivankutty, while the SFI marched to the Raj Bhavan shouting slogans against Mr. Arlekar violating constitutional propriety.
However, the BJP, which had thrown a surprise by posting a picture of Bharat Mata with the national flag in place of the saffron flag on an official Facebook post, did a volte face on Saturday. In an endorsement of the Raj Bhavan, it organised a programme at the Secretariat gate in the morning, with senior BJP leader V. Muraleedharan garlanding a picture of Bharat Mata with the saffron flag and lighting a lamp in front of it.
This is the second day that the row over the saffron flag and Bharat Mata is spilling onto the streets. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) is also marching to the Raj Bhavan later in the day to protest against the Governor's continued use of RSS imagery to depict the country as a Hindu nation
Meanwhile, All Kerala Private College Teachers' Association (AKPCTA), said in a statement here that the Raj Bhavan should not be treated as a museum to display Sangh Parivar symbols. It said that it was highly objectionable that the picture of Bharat Mata with the saffron flag was being repeatedly used by the Raj Bhavan even at the Scouts and Guides events.
The CPI(M)'s official mouthpiece, Deshabhimani, also used its editorial on Saturday to condemn the Governor and to proclaim that he cannot turn the Raj Bhavan into an office of the RSS.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Cherian Philip issued a statement here that the position of the Governor was 'a worthless remnant' of the colonial age and that the post was a refuge for politicians who have lost their foothold on the ground. The continued disputes between the Raj Bhavan and the government was heading for a governance crisis, he added.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

31 minutes ago

• Time of India

Decision on loan waiver at appropriate time: CM

Pune: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said a decision on farmers' loan waiver would be taken at the appropriate time. He said guidelines and set procedures must be followed while taking such a decision. The Mahayuti govt would not backtrack from any of the assurances it had given, Fadnavis told reporters here after attending the International Yoga Day event at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). Opposition parties have been pressing for an immediate announcement of farm loan waiver to give relief to farmers in the state. Fadnavis said the govt would definitely take a call on the loan waiver at the right time. The chief minister said the govt was keeping a watch on the ongoing rainfall in the state and on water storages in all major dams. "Planning has been done on the release of water and suspension of discharge from dams. The govt is working in coordination with the neighbouring states on this. Our engineers have been deployed in these states. They are coordinating on water release and related developments," he said. Fadnavis praised SPPU for its inclusion among 600 top universities in the world. "I congratulate SPPU, its staff, office-bearers, management council and senate members for the varsity's inclusion among the top universities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo I wish universities from the state feature among the top 500. I feel that SPPU is progressing on that path," he said. The chief minister said steps were being taken to fill up the vacant posts in SPPU. The minister for higher and technical education, Chandrakant Patil, had given the go-ahead and issued instructions in this regard, he said. Fadnavis said the process to fill up the posts would begin soon. He also congratulated the organisers for holding the function to mark the "International Yoga Day". He said the warkaris participating in the Palkhi processions and on halt in Pune also participated in the celebrations. Over 700 colleges held similar events, he said. Fadnavis, late on Friday night, visited the Palkhi Vithoba temple in Bhavani Peth and took a darshan of Paduka of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.

United News of India

an hour ago

• United News of India

Arunachal CM disburses Rs 19 Cr land compensation, meets troops along LAC

Itanagar, June 21 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday handed over compensation cheques worth Rs 19 crore to villagers of Chuna in Tawang district for land acquisition related to the Damteng-Chuna road project and for land acquired by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Terming the compensation as a key step towards inclusive development, Khandu said, 'This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to ensure that development reaches even the remotest frontiers of Arunachal Pradesh.' The compensation disbursement followed the International Yoga Day celebrations held at Chuna, located at an altitude of 3,950 meters near the Indo-Tibet border. The programme was graced by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and State Minister Kento Jini, along with senior officials from the district administration. Earlier in the day, Khandu participated in the Yoga Day programme with villagers and security personnel. 'As the local MLA, it was important for me to interact directly with the people of Chuna, hear their concerns, and understand their aspirations firsthand,' he said, following an extended interaction with local residents. The Chief Minister also visited the jawans of the Arunachal Scouts stationed at the border outpost and expressed pride in their service. 'I was deeply impressed by the courage and dedication of our own boys, sons of Arunachal, serving Maa Bharti in some of the harshest terrains with unmatched dedication,' he noted. The visit reaffirmed the state government's focus on border area development and integration of frontier communities into the mainstream, officials said. UNI TD GNK

India Gazette

an hour ago

• India Gazette

Suvendu Adhikari slams Bengal govt for skipping Yoga Day, says

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 21 (ANI): On the occasion of International Yoga Day, West Bengal's Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised the state government for not participating in the nationwide celebration. He alleged that while both NDA and non-NDA ruled states observed the day, West Bengal deliberately skipped it. Speaking to ANI, Adhikari said, 'NDA and non-NDA state governments are celebrating Yoga Day today, except West Bengal, because West Bengal follows Bangladesh. It does not follow Delhi. More than 180 countries are celebrating International Yoga Day today. As Indians, we are proud of this.' The sharp remarks came as International Yoga Day was celebrated across the country, promoting the physical and mental health benefits of yoga. Earlier on Saturday, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, 'Yoga is our country's heritage. We have given yoga to the world. It is a very good medium to keep the body healthy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted it globally, and now yoga is being practised in about 200 countries, so the credit for this goes to Narendra Modi, who revived and promoted yoga in the world again.' Meanwhile, on the occasion of International Yoga Day, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose highlighted how the practice of Yoga was earlier 'confined to India,' and the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spread it internationally has led to people accepting it the world over. As part of the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the effort to promote a healthy lifestyle while performing Yoga with others in Vishakapatnam. Meanwhile, multiple other Chief Ministers and Union Ministers are participating in Yoga events in their respective cities. 'Yoga is universal in nature. Yoga connects the mind and the body. This is something which belongs to the entire humanity. It was confined to India, but our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, took it to the whole world. Now it is for the world, and the world is accepting it,' Governor Bose told ANI. (ANI)