Kerala govt, Raj Bhavan face off over Bharat Mata portrait protocol at official functions.
Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh tussle is brewing between the Kerala government and Raj Bhavan as both sides harden their positions over the display of the Bharat Mata portrait at official functions.
With the ruling Left Front and student organisations stepping up protests, including boycotts and marches, Raj Bhavan is reportedly preparing a formal communication to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary. Sources say that the letter will address concerns about ministers refusing to attend events at Raj Bhavan, and will also allege protocol violations by Minister for Education V Sivankutty.
Raj Bhavan has decided that lighting a traditional lamp and offering floral tributes before the Bharat Mata portrait must continue at all official events. It is also learned that the Raj Bhavan is considering a permanent installation of the portrait in the Raj Bhavan auditorium. In response, the state government is contemplating a decision to avoid holding any official functions at the Governor’s residence.
The latest tensions follow a protest march by SFI activists to Raj Bhavan last Thursday. Intelligence inputs suggest that demonstrations are likely to escalate in the coming days. In anticipation of further unrest, Raj Bhavan is said to be weighing the option of requesting central paramilitary forces for security. A similar step had been taken during the tenure of former Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had previously maintained that Raj Bhavan informed the government it would not permit the controversial saffron-flag-bearing image of Bharat Mata (depicted seated on a lion and widely seen as reflecting the RSS’s vision of a Hindu nation) at government functions. However, Raj Bhavan now claims that no official clarification has been issued by the current Governor, Rajendra Arlekar, in this regard.
The Governor’s office believes the CPM-led government is attempting to politicise the matter.
Published: 21 Jun 2025, 11:29 am IST
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