Bharat Mata controversy escalates as Governor blocked at Kerala University event
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.Just hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state would formally object to the use of a 'Bharat Mata' image in Raj Bhavan functions, student protests erupted outside Kerala University on Tuesday, June 26. Activists from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) attempted to block Governor Rajendra V Arlekar’s entry to the campus, where he was scheduled to attend a book launch commemorating the Emergency period.The flashpoint was the display of the controversial 'Bharat Mata' image — depicting a woman in saffron robes holding a flag — on the dais at the Senate Hall, which SFI and university authorities argued bore ideological connotations associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Tensions escalated quickly, with hundreds of SFI activists gathering outside the university gates, soon joined by student supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite the University Registrar insisting the event could not proceed with the image displayed, Arlekar arrived an hour late, after police had cleared the area of protesters.Speaking at the event, the Governor framed the protest as a form of modern-day censorship. “What happened now is also like an Emergency. Why this intolerance? I am someone who avoids confrontation, but I will not compromise,” he said. Reflecting on the Emergency, he added, “It was a dark spot on our democracy. I was in jail with my father during that time. It was the brutality of Indira Gandhi who wanted to cling to power till her last breath.”Former Kerala BJP president and ex-Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan also criticised the university’s stance. “The Governor is the Chancellor. This is a blot on democracy. We paid Rs 65,000 to rent this space, and yet we were told at the last minute to remove a national symbol. During the Emergency, this image was used by all. Why not now?”The confrontation is the latest in an escalating ideological standoff between the CPI(M)-led Kerala government and the Governor’s office. On June 19, Education Minister V Sivankutty walked out of a Raj Bhavan event organised by the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides, after objecting to the same image of Bharat Mata displayed during the ceremony. Calling it a symbol closely associated with the RSS, Sivankutty said, “I would have had no issue if it was Mahatma Gandhi or even the Prime Minister. But this image brings Hindutva ideology into state functions.”The Governor’s office labelled Sivankutty’s protest a “public display of misconduct” and a breach of protocol. CM Vijayan has faced criticism from opposition leaders like VD Satheesan for not taking a stronger position earlier, especially after a similar controversy on June 5 when Agriculture Minister P Prasad boycotted an event at the Raj Bhavan for the same reason. Although there were reports the Raj Bhavan had informally agreed to stop using the image at government events, Arlekar has since reaffirmed his position, stating, “There is no question of doing away with Bharatamba.”(With IANS inputs)
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JUST hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state would formally object to the use of a 'Bharat Mata' image in Raj Bhavan functions, student protests erupted outside Kerala University on Wednesday, June 25.
Activists from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) attempted to block Governor Rajendra V Arlekar’s entry to the campus, where he was scheduled to attend a book launch commemorating the Emergency period.
The flashpoint was the display of the controversial 'Bharat Mata' image — depicting a woman in saffron robes holding a flag — on the dais at the Senate Hall, which SFI and university authorities argued bore ideological connotations associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Tensions escalated quickly, with hundreds of SFI activists gathering outside the university gates, soon joined by student supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite the University Registrar insisting the event could not proceed with the image displayed, Arlekar arrived an hour late, after police had cleared the area of protesters.
Speaking at the event, the Governor framed the protest as a form of modern-day censorship. “What happened now is also like an Emergency. Why this intolerance? I am someone who avoids confrontation, but I will not compromise,” he said. Reflecting on the Emergency, he added, “It was a dark spot on our democracy. I was in jail with my father during that time. It was the brutality of Indira Gandhi who wanted to cling to power till her last breath.”
Former Kerala BJP president and ex-Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan also criticised the university’s stance. “The Governor is the Chancellor. This is a blot on democracy. We paid Rs 65,000 to rent this space, and yet we were told at the last minute to remove a national symbol. During the Emergency, this image was used by all. Why not now?”
The confrontation is the latest in an escalating ideological standoff between the CPI(M)-led Kerala government and the Governor’s office. On June 19, Education Minister V Sivankutty walked out of a Raj Bhavan event organised by the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides, after objecting to the same image of Bharat Mata displayed during the ceremony. Calling it a symbol closely associated with the RSS, Sivankutty said, “I would have had no issue if it was Mahatma Gandhi or even the Prime Minister. But this image brings Hindutva ideology into state functions.”
The Governor’s office labelled Sivankutty’s protest a “public display of misconduct” and a breach of protocol.
CM Vijayan has faced criticism from opposition leaders like VD Satheesan for not taking a stronger position earlier, especially after a similar controversy on June 5 when Agriculture Minister P Prasad boycotted an event at the Raj Bhavan for the same reason. Although there were reports the Raj Bhavan had informally agreed to stop using the image at government events, Arlekar has since reaffirmed his position, stating, “There is no question of doing away with Bharatamba.”
(With IANS inputs)
