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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala to include Governor's responsibilities, limitations in higher secondary syllabus amid govt-Raj Bhavan tussle
Kerala's General Education department will modify the higher secondary syllabus to include the Governor's role, responsibilities and limitations as the Constitutional Head of Provincial Governments. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty told reporters on Friday (June 20, 2025) that it was socially imperative that students learn about the democratic and Constitutional processes that inform the country's federal polity, including the official role of the Governor as the de jure head of State and the well-defined Constitutional curbs on the high office. Mr. Sivankutty said the younger generation should understand the executive power vested in the elected Chief Minister and Council of Ministers and their collective responsibility to the Legislative Assembly and the public. The move assumed legal and political relevance against the backdrop of protracted Kerala government-Raj Bhavan dispute over the Constitutional bounds of the Governor's office, including alleged intervention in the administration of State-funded varsities as Chancellor, 'refusing' assent to Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly inordinately, 'displaying' political symbols at State events and 'delaying' key Bills by reserving them for the President's assent. Moreover, the LDF had repeatedly accused Raj Bhavan of providing a bully pulpit for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) political messaging. Notably, Rajendra Arlekar's assumption of the Governor's office in January had signalled a thaw in the earlier government-Raj Bhavan relations, often characterised by publicly acrimonious and muckraking confrontations with his predecessor, Arif Mohammed Khan. Nevertheless, Mr. Khan's refusal to sign the Bill seeking the removal of the Governor as Chancellor of State Universities, Raj Bhavan's opposition to the Kerala Lok Ayukta Amendment (Bill), which empowered the executive to accept or reject the ombudsman's findings, and the former Governor's decision to reserve some key Bills for the President's consideration remain serious bones of contention between the political executive and the Constitutional office. Following his swearing-in, Mr. Arlekar held out an olive branch to the government by promising to lobby the Centre for Kerala's development, calling on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the latter's birthday, and co-hosting an 'informal breakfast meeting' with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. Mr. Arlekar's varied tack appeared to broadcast a detente and incremental normalisation of relations. However, a coldness of manner crept has into the government-Raj Bhavan ties, with Left student organisations protesting against Mr. Arlekar's nominations to varsity senates, accusing him of continuing Mr. Khan's alleged bid to saffronise State varsities. The chill seemed to reach a high point, with two Ministers walking out of Raj Bhavan recently to protest against the use of a saffron flag bearing Bharat Mata's image, allegedly an RSS emblem, at State functions. An apparently unrelenting Raj Bhavan dug its heels in, refused to remove the controversial image from the central hall, and termed Minister Sivankutty's boycott a protocol violation and insult.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kerala governor urges youths to stay away from drugs
Kochi: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar expressed concern about the rising drug addiction among youth, emphasizing how substance abuse devastates not only individuals but also their families' prospects. He made the remarks while distributing Saint Chavara Excellence Awards, established by Vidyadhanam Trust, to outstanding students from SH School of Communication at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, on Wednesday. "When one becomes enslaved to drugs, it's not just their future that darkens, but also the future of their family and society. Therefore, students and young people should stay away from drugs and instead set goals and strive towards them. Activities of Vidyadhanam Trust are meant to encourage you on this journey towards such goals," the governor added. Arlekar emphasized that nation-building remains the primary objective of education and commended St Kuriakose Elias Chavara's contributions towards advancing higher education. The ceremony, conducted in the college auditorium, saw participation of K V Thomas, managing trustee of Vidyadhanam Trust and Kerala govt's representative in Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi University vice-chancellor C T Aravindakumar, Sacred Heart institutions manager Fr Varghese Kachappilly CMI and other college administrators.
Deccan Herald
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
'Bharat Mata' row continues in Kerala with Guv tribute to portrait, CPI poster withdrawal
As part of the Goa Day celebrations at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, Arlekar paid floral tributes to the same 'Bharat Mata' portrait which had resulted in State Agricultural Minister P Prasad boycotting the Environment Day event there last week.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Bharat Mata' row continues in Kerala with Governor's tribute to portrait, CPI poster withdrawal
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The ' Bharat Mata ' controversy continued in Kerala as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar paid tributes to a 'Bharat Mata' portrait during Goa Day celebrations at the Raj Bhavan , while the CPI withdrew a local party event poster featuring a different version of the image, showing her holding the national part of the Goa Day celebrations at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, Arlekar paid floral tributes to the same 'Bharat Mata' portrait which had resulted in State Agricultural Minister P Prasad boycotting the Environment Day event there last Foundation Day was celebrated at the Kerala Raj Bhavan as part of the ' Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat ' initiative, the Governor's office same day, the CPI withdrew a poster, in connection with a local party event here from June 13 to 15, that carried an image of 'Bharat Mata' dressed in a tricolor saree and holding the national flag.V B Binu, CPI District Secretary, said that as soon as information about the poster was received, instructions were given to withdraw it from social media to avoid "unnecessary controversy".He also said that it was not right to combine the national flag with party programmes or CPI, the second-largest partner in the ruling LDF in Kerala, was the first to object to the use of the 'Bharat Mata' portrait by the Raj leader and minister, Prasad, boycotted the Environment Day event at the Raj Bhavan as floral tributes had to be paid to the had later said that there was no official version of the 'Bharat Mata' according to the Constitution or the India government and the portrait at the event was widely used by the RSS Shortly thereafter, the CPI announced a campaign of hoisting the national flag and planting saplings before June 7, it hoisted national flags and planted saplings at all its branches and also raised ' Bharat Mata ki jai ' very next day, Arlekar took a dig at the Left party saying, "Those who never thought of 'Bharat Mata' are saying 'Bharat Mata ki jai'. That is a good contribution. I appreciate that." The same day, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said that there was no concept of 'Bharat Mata' as it was not there in the Constitution.
New Indian Express
09-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Row over Bharat Mata concept unfortunate: Governor Rajendra Arlekar
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The concept of Bharat Mata should not be turned into a controversy, Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar said on Sunday. 'All Bharatiyas grew up taking a pledge that they are sons and daughters of one mother. People should be able to regard the concept of Bharat Mata with high esteem, irrespective of their political affiliations or ideologies. It is unfortunate that this idea is being dragged into controversy,' Arlekar said.
