Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Raj Bhavan on Saturday described as “absolutely baseless” the media reports suggesting it had approached the Centre seeking protection by central forces for Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, amid protests by youth and student organisations.

In a public statement, the Raj Bhavan clarified that there was no such move or proposal and firmly denied the existence of any threat — direct or indirect — to the Governor.

Faith in Kerala Police affirmed

The statement underlined that Governor Arlekar had “total faith in the commitment to duty and efficiency of the Kerala Police” and that they had been discharging their responsibilities “extremely well and to the best of the Raj Bhavan’s satisfaction.”

Media reports criticised as speculative

Responding sharply to recent coverage, the Raj Bhavan asserted that the circulating news items were “much ado about nothing and are only a figment of their imagination and speculation.”

“The media people are hereby requested to restrain themselves from misleading the public by publishing or broadcasting such baseless stories,” the statement added.

Backdrop: student protests over Bharat Mata portrait

The clarification comes against the backdrop of protests by student and youth wings of the Left, opposing the Governor’s directive that a portrait of Bharat Mata — a symbol associated with the RSS — be displayed during all programmes, including government events, held at the Raj Bhavan.