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The Print
19 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
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Sivankutty walks out over Bharatamba
1 2 3 4 T'puram: The simmering disagreement between governor Rajendra Arlekar and the state govt over the display of the Bharat Mata portrait at functions in Raj Bhavan spilled over once again on Thursday. General education minister V Sivankutty was the latest to walk out of a Raj Bhavan programme over the portrait display at a function organised to give away Rajya Puraskar awards to Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides. The minister walked out, alleging impropriety. He said the display of the portrait, which has no constitutional validity, and the floral tributes to it at the function, of which the state govt was also a part, were unacceptable. He said the governor should stop his attempts to convert Raj Bhavan into a venue to push his political agenda. The governor's office, in a statement, accused Sivankutty of protocol violation and insult. It said the minister came prepared with a written speech and the showdown was rather deliberate. Raj Bhavan also released the full text of the governor's address at the function, in which he unequivocally clarified that "there was no question of doing away with Bharatamba." There were reports that Raj Bhavan had unofficially agreed to the govt's wish that Bharat Mata's portrait would not be used in programmes of which the state govt is also a party. The new episode, however, negated such rumours. Sivankutty told reporters outside Raj Bhavan that he told the audience of the programme that he could not recognise the images and symbols represented by the Bharat Mata portrait, to which the governor had offered floral tributes just before the minister reached the dais. "A woman holding a saffron flag is not an official symbol. It is a move to bring the concept of India and nationalism under Hindutva ideology," Sivankutty said, adding that it was wrong on governor's part to behave at a govt function in such a way that gave preference to a particular ideology. Sivankutty rejected the Raj Bhavan claims of protocol violation and said his gesture was in respect of Constitution. Agriculture minister P Prasad had earlier boycotted a govt function organised at Raj Bhavan after it insisted on displaying Bharat Mata's portrait. In a press note, Raj Bhavan said Sivankutty's protest was a "public display of misconduct" and he did not even bother to inform the governor about his abrupt exit. "The minister had come with a prepared speech which he chose to read out — a clear indication of his preparedness for an impending showdown. It is a pity that the education minister admitted to the audience that Bharatamba's portrait is not familiar to him. Disturbingly, the minister's 'performance' 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. Raj Bhavan views today's developments with utmost concern," the statement from Raj Bhavan said.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
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 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 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 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
India Today
03-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Maharashtra to give basic military training to students from Class 1
In a first-of-its-kind move, Maharashtra will begin providing basic military training to school students starting from Class 1, state school education minister Dada Bhuse announced on Monday. The initiative aims to foster patriotism, discipline, and physical fitness amongst children from an early to Bhuse, retired army personnel will take charge of training the students, alongside support from school sports teachers, NCC (National Cadet Corps) officials, and Scouts and Guides units. 'This decision has been taken to instil love for the country and encourage daily habits like physical exercise and disciplined living, which will greatly benefit students in the long run,' he proposal has reportedly received a favourable response from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. To ensure wide implementation, the government plans to involve over 2.5 lakh ex-servicemen across the state. This announcement comes in the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and India's retaliatory strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 targeting terror bases in Pakistan and country also witnessed a series of nationwide civil defence exercises recently. Under 'Operation Abhyas' on May 7 and 'Operation Shield' on May 31, mock drills were conducted in several border states to prepare civilians and authorities for potential emergency scenarios. These drills involved rehearsing responses to a range of simulated threats, underscoring India's increased focus on national military training plan for students aligns with this broader strategy of preparedness and resilience at both national and grassroots levels.(With PTI inputs) Must Watch
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
KSPCB chooses ‘End Plastic Pollution' as Environment Day theme
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has chosen 'End Plastic Pollution' as the theme of World Environment Day which will be celebrated on June 5. KSPCB Chairman P.M. Narendraswamy on Thursday said that various events will be held in Bengaluru to mark the day, including a mass tree plantation drive, photo contest, green selfie challenge, online quiz contest, graffiti contest, walkathon and cyclothon. Exhibitions on sustainable product demonstration, green energy demonstration, showcase of startups in new technologies, carbon credit for farmers concept promotion, e-waste recycling programme, and documentary screening of Environment related progrmmes will also be held. He added that an environment awareness campaign, street play, carbon footprint awareness, carbon footprint audit for organisations and waste audit awareness would also be organised on the occasion. An environmental walk will also be organised in front of the steps on the entrance of the Vidhana Soudha, and around 3,000 people, including ministers, dignitaries, officers, Scouts and Guides, and NCC Cadets, will participate in the celebrations to spread environmental concerns. Mr. Narendraswamy said Chief Minister Siddaramiah will hand over the Karnataka State Environment Awards to individuals and organisations who have rendered significant services in the field of environment protection. He said that ₹50 lakh would be provided to producing or making environment related films. He added that KSPCB has proposed installing Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in local civic bodies to recycle plastic bottles. 'When plastic bottles are inserted into the RVM kiosks they will be crushed and in turn it will reward ₹ 1 to the person depositing the plastic bottle. By this way we can keep our cities clean, recycle the plastic and the person who deposits the bottle will also get a reward,' he added. S.S. Lingaraja, member secretary, KSPCB said about 1,65,000 checks have been conducted across the state in the last three years, during which around 1,012 tonnes of banned plastics have been seized and a fine of ₹5.6 crore has been collected.
