Kerala Opposition Supports CM on Bharat Mata Portrait Issue

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 26 (PTI) Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Thursday expressed his support for Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's decision to send a letter to Raj Bhavan objecting to the display of a Bharat Mata portrait. However, he termed the action as "delayed".

Satheesan remarked that neither the Raj Bhavan nor the Governor's official events should be converted into venues for political and religious activities. He addressed the recent unrest at the Kerala University Senate campus concerning the Bharat Mata portrait, commonly associated with RSS events, alleging that it was an effort by the Sangh Parivar to foster "communal polarisation".

The opposition leader stressed that Kerala should remain free from such conflicts. On Wednesday, tensions surged at the Kerala University Senate campus when SFI activists clashed with police in a protest against the portrait display during an event attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Satheesan emphasized that while Governor Arlekar may have personal political beliefs and could continue as an RSS member if he wished, his position prevented him from promoting his political and religious agendas. The CM and state government must assert to the Governor that Kerala upholds its secular values.

The opposition leader further commented on the Chief Minister's delayed reaction, acknowledging the letter's submission yet criticizing the timing. Satheesan asserted that the Governor's events should not be platforms for religious or political promotions.

While alleging the Congress-led UDF opposition was working towards political polarization, he claimed the Sangh Parivar aimed for "communal polarisation". He urged the state government and CPI(M) to steer clear of the Sangh Parivar's divisive narrative.

Satheesan advocated informing the Raj Bhavan to prevent future occurrences of such incidents. He assured that a government stance against this would gain opposition support.

The Bharat Mata controversy arose when the Governor included the Bharat Mata portrait, typically seen in RSS settings, at a Raj Bhavan event on Environment Day earlier in the month. The situation led to the state Agriculture Minister P Prasad abstaining from the event and the Governor maintaining a firm stance on the Bharat Mata issue.

Following these tensions, Arlekar consistently displayed the portrait in Raj Bhavan events, including one for scouts and guides, prompting state General Education Minister V Sivankutty to exit a recent ceremony. Consequently, the CM and several ministers asserted that only official or approved symbols should be used in government programs.