Thiruvananthapuram: The Raj Bhavan authorities confirmed that there will be no lamp lighting ceremonies and offering of flowers to the portrait of Bharat Mata during ceremonies with strict protocols like the oath-taking ceremonies of ministers. However, other ceremonies that will be held at Raj Bhavan will make this gesture mandatory.

There are rules for ceremonies like the oath-taking. There can be no additions or exceptions to them. On Tuesday, at the Raj Bhavan, there will be a speech by V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India on India's progress in the economic sector. For this function, there will be an offering of flowers.

Raj Bhavan has blamed Agriculture Minister P Prasad for the Bharat Mata controversy.

In an article written in a newspaper by Governor's Additional Private Secretary P Sreekumar, the minister was accused of politicising the issue despite Raj Bhavan's willingness to compromise.

The government expressed disagreement with the Environment Day program, which included lighting lamps and offering flowers to Bharat Mata. Later, they clarified that the problem was with the picture of Bharat Mata carrying the saffron flag and not the lamp lighting. The Raj Bhavan then announced that the picture of Bharat Mata carrying the tricolour flag could be used.

It was also explained that those who are not interested have the freedom to abstain from offering flowers. The article also asks how offering flowers to the image of Bharat Mata can be unconstitutional.

The article states that if one can say Bharat Mata Ki Jai, at the end of the national anthem, then there is nothing wrong with offering flowers to the picture. Raj Bhavan sources also explained that the article was published with the approval of the Governor.

Sree Narayana Guru's portrait at Raj Bhavan

Officials informed that a picture of Sree Narayana Guru has also been placed in the Raj Bhavan as per the instructions of the Governor. 'Mathrubhumi' had reported the other day that pictures of RSS leaders Hedgewar and Golwalkar had been placed in the Raj Bhavan.

On Monday, SFI protested against the placement of pictures of RSS leaders.

There is also a shortage of Savarkar's portraits in Raj Bhavan - Binoy Viswam

Alappuzha: CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam said that if Savarkar's portrait is placed in Raj Bhavan along with Hedgewar and Golwalkar, it will be complete. He was inaugurating the regional conference in Alappuzha. The speech was made by showing the picture of Raj Bhavan that appeared in the 'Mathrubhumi' newspaper. It is the most important picture for RSS. He also asked what their role was in the history of the struggle of this country.

'I'd be happy if it was corrected'- Binoy Viswam

Binoy later said that if the Raj Bhavan changes its stance of not calling RSS Bharat Mata (one with saffron flag) as Bharat Mata, it will be welcomed. He does not want any unnecessary conflict with the Raj Bhavan. The Communist Party has no hatred, only patriotism. He does not hesitate to shout Jai Bharat Mata as part of the status quo of this country. But he cannot agree with the attempt to hide RSS interests in the name of Bharat Mata, he said.