Bharat Mata row erupts again; Protests during Guv’s event at Kerala University | WATCH
Thiruvananthapuram: Yet another controversy erupted at the Senate Hall of Kerala University on Wednesday after an image of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed during a private event, prompting protests by student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Kerala Students Union (KSU), and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).
The event, organised by the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samiti to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, was inaugurated by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar. Protesters from SFI, DYFI and KSU demanded the removal of the image, stating that it was inappropriate in a university space. The police later removed the demonstrators.
Tensions flared both inside and outside the Senate Hall. KSU activists stormed into the venue. However, they were subsequently removed, after which the programme commenced. Although the University Registrar had earlier announced the cancellation of the event, the Governor arrived at the venue shortly afterwards. Several SFI activists were taken into police custody during the protest.
Kerala University Registrar K S Anilkumar had also requested the organisers to remove the image, echoing the SFI's demand. The SFI maintained that the event could not go forward unless the image was taken down. However, Raj Bhavan conveyed that the Governor would not attend the function if the portrait was removed. The programme had been scheduled for 5.30 pm on Wednesday. In anticipation of potential unrest, heavy police deployment was made in and around the area. Both SFI activists and BJP leaders gathered at the site. The organisers of the event refused to take down the image of Bharat Mata.
SFI state secretary Sanjeev announced that protests would continue while the Governor would exit the venue. "We will not block his way, but we will register our protest. The Vice Chancellor of the University is a first-rate RSS man. The Governor came despite knowing there would be protests. This is nothing but a deliberate provocation," he added.
Meanwhile, SFI put up a banner on the Kerala University’s Kariavattom campus criticising the Governor. The banner read: "Mr. Governor – Bharat Mata, saffron flags and Hedgewar belong in the shakha. India is a secular democratic republic."
‘Open to talks with Kerala govt over the issue’
While speaking at the event, Governor Rajendra Arlekar said he is open to discussions with the Kerala government regarding the controversy over the issue. “I do not oppose anyone’s ideology. I have my own beliefs,” he added.
Referring to the protestors attempting to block his entry to the venue, the Governor questioned, “Is this democracy, not allowing the Governor to enter a hall where a programme is being held?” He continued, “Are we truly living in a democratic era or in the time of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency? Don’t we have tolerance? We must practise tolerance.”