The letter was sent to the governor after the state government received legal advice stating that only the official national emblem should be used at government functions
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The controversy over the display of a Bharat Mata image at Raj Bhavan in the state has taken a serious turn as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the display as “unconstitutional.” In a letter to Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Thursday, the chief minister urged him to avoid using such images at official government events.
The letter was sent to the governor after the state government received legal advice stating that only the official national emblem should be used at government functions. The issue also came up for discussion at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, after which the chief minister formally communicated his concerns.
Media reports on Friday quoted a government official as saying that the chief minister’s letter states that the governor should not insist on matters that are not per the Constitution.
But Governor Arlekar remained unconvinced. He defended the image saying that Bharat Mata is not linked to any political ideology but represents the unity of the nation. “Bharat Mata rose from the hopes of freedom, which stands above caste and politics,” Arlekar wrote back.
He also criticised the boycott of a Raj Bhavan event by the general education minister, calling it a breach of protocol. “The minister’s action insulted the constitutional head of the state,” the governor said. “I decided to reply quickly as the issue has turned into a major controversy affecting law and order in the state.”
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which is affiliated with the ruling CPI(M), has been protesting against the governor’s actions. Large-scale protests have erupted at several places in the state, including at the Raj Bhavan.
An unfazed Arlekar has been attending events in Thrissur and is scheduled to leave for Mumbai from Kochi later in the day, according to Raj Bhavan officials.
