Latest news with #RajBhavan
The Hindu
an hour 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.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala government to incorporate the Governor's constitutional rights, duties in the school curriculum
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opening a new battlefront with the Raj Bhavan after the Bharat Mata portrait controversy, the state government has decided to incorporate the Constitutional rights and duties of the Governor in the school curriculum. General Education Minister V Sivankutty said the government is planning to include the constitutional rights and duties of the Governor in the second volume of the Class X Social Science textbook. "It will also be included in the Plus One and Plus Two texts that are set to be revised soon," the Minister told reporters here on Friday. Sivankutty said the school curriculum has been revised by upholding constitutional values, and the government would give full support for the inculcation of these values by students in their daily life.
The Print
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Bharat Mata' portrait pits LDF against Kerala Governor, again. ‘Turning Raj Bhavan into party office'
'I congratulate all the students who received the award. This is the highest honour in Scouts and Guides. But I want to draw the attention of the Honourable Governor to one issue. This event is co-organised by the State Government and the Raj Bhavan. Yet, an image representing a political party has been displayed here. It is inappropriate to pay tribute to that image. I strongly condemn this,' Sivankutty said in a video later shared on his Facebook page. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty boycotted the Scouts and Guides Rajyapuraskar award ceremony, leaving the Raj Bhavan shortly after extending his wishes to the children. Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala minister boycotted a Raj Bhavan event Thursday over the display of a Bharat Mata portrait in the second such incident this month, marking yet another low in the tussle between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and Governor Rajendra Arlekar. He alleged that this was part of a move to turn the Raj Bhavan into 'a political party office'. This comes just weeks after Agriculture Minister P. Prasad boycotted another Raj Bhavan event on World Environment Day objecting to the presence of a Bharat Mata portrait. Prasad later held a separate event at the Secretariat. The opposition Congress party had extended support to the minister. 'The Governor must understand that Indian nationalism is rooted in the Constitution. It is not based on a singular cultural identity, but on an inclusive and democratic vision enshrined in our Constitution. This must be clearly asserted,' Sivankutty said in his statement. He further stated that India is not a monolithic entity constructed around any single symbol, image, or form, and that Indian nationalism draws its strength from its diversity. 'Describing the image of a woman holding a saffron flag as the sole symbol of Indian patriotism ignores this fundamental reality. The idea of India does not reside in mythology or imagination. It lives in the sovereignty of its people, the rule of law, and the constitutional guarantees of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity,' the minister added, saying the Governor must remember that Indian patriotism means upholding constitutional values and safeguarding diversity. However, Governor Rajendra Arlekar responded by asserting that there is no question of removing Bharat Mata from public spaces. 'There is no question of doing away with Bharat Mata, as we draw our idea of patriotism and nationhood from Bharat Mata,' the Raj Bhavan said in a statement, quoting the governor. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also criticised the Governor for the display of a Bharat Mata portrait in his office. In a Thiruvananthapuram press briefing, Vijayan said the Governor's residence must remain neutral and should not become a platform for political propaganda. Earlier this week, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), held a protest march to the Raj Bhavan against the display of portraits of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologues Golwalkar and Hedgewar at the Governor's residence. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Tharoor admits to 'difference of opinion' with Congress, says not asked to campaign in Nilambur
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bharat Mata row: Kerala Raj Bhavan slams Minister Sivankutty's walkout as 'grave insult' to Governor
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's Raj Bhavan on Thursday strongly criticised General Education Minister V Sivankutty for walking out of a public event while Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was present on the dais, calling it a "serious breach of protocol and a grave insult to the constitutional office of the Governor." The Raj Bhavan issued the statement hours after Sivankutty walked out of a state government event at Raj Bhavan, protesting against the display of a 'Bharat Mata' image, based on a claim that it was widely used in RSS functions, during the programme. In a strongly worded statement, Raj Bhavan said the Governor, as the constitutional head of the state, deserves the highest respect from elected representatives, especially ministers who are sworn in by the Governor with an oath of allegiance to the Constitution. "The walkout staged by the State Minister for Education & Labour, Shri V Sivankutty, from the dais this morning while the Hon'ble Governor was present, is a gross violation of protocol and a grave insult to the office of the Governor," the statement said. According to it, the minister exited the stage without informing the Governor. "The Minister is sworn in by the Governor, declaring allegiance to the Constitution, has by this public display of misconduct, openly insulted the Governor personally, besides the office of the Governor. The Minister did not even bother to inform the Governor about his abrupt exit," the statement said. The Raj Bhavan said as per protocol, even members of the audience are expected to remain seated until the Governor leaves. "Unfortunately, the Minister who handles the Education portfolio has set an unprecedentedly wrong precedent by his misconduct," it said. The Raj Bhavan noted that the Minister had arrived at the event with a prepared speech, suggesting that the walkout may have been pre-planned. The statement also referred to a remark made by the Minister during his speech, where he admitted he did not recognise the portrait of Bharatamba on the stage. "It is a pity that the Education Minister of the state admitted to the audience that the portrait of Bharatamba is not familiar to him," it said. The incident took place in front of a gathering of Scouts and Guides who had come to receive awards from both the Minister and the Governor. Raj Bhavan said the Minister's actions had not only disrespected the Governor but also sent a poor message to the students present. "Disturbingly, the 'performance' of the Minister was right in front of the disciplined Scouts and Guides who had come to receive the awards from the Minister and the Governor. Thereby, the Minister has insulted the students as well, apart from setting a wrong model before the students," it said. Rajbhavan said it "views today's developments with utmost concern."
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
President Murmu to embark on 3-day visit to Uttarakhand from tomorrow
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a three-day visit to Uttarakhand from June 19 to June 21, during which she will inaugurate a series of developmental and public engagement initiatives in Dehradun and participate in International Yoga Day celebrations. The President will be based at Rashtrapati Niketan, the presidential retreat in Dehradun, where she will inaugurate new facilities and lay foundation stones for key infrastructure projects. On Thursday, President Murmu will inaugurate a newly constructed amphitheatre at Rashtrapati Niketan and lay the foundation stones for staff quarters, stables, and security barracks as part of efforts to enhance infrastructure at the presidential retreat. On June 20, she will officially open Rashtrapati Niketan to the public and inaugurate several visitor-centric amenities, including a Visitor Facilitation Centre, a Cafeteria, and a Souvenir Shop. She will also inaugurate Rashtrapati Tapovan, a spiritual and environmental retreat within the campus, and lay the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a landscaped garden area. Both Rashtrapati Niketan and Rashtrapati Tapovan will be open for public visits starting June 24. Later the same day, the President will visit the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun, where she will view an exhibition, explore a Model School Science Laboratory, and interact with students and faculty. In the evening, she will attend a special function to mark 125 years of Raj Bhavan, Nainital, and will release a commemorative postage stamp celebrating the milestone. President Murmu will participate in a mass Yoga demonstration at the Uttarakhand State Police Line Maidan in Dehradun on June 21. President Murmu was earlier scheduled to visit Indore and Barwani in Madhya Pradesh on June 18 and 19, but the visit has been officially cancelled, according to a statement by the Indore District Collector. No reason has been provided for the cancellation.
