Kerala government skips governor’s event over ‘Bharat Mata’ portrait used by RSS; minister highlights non-official India map

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A World Environment Day event at Kerala Raj Bhavan turned into a political flashpoint on Thursday after Left-led govt boycotted it, objecting to a Bharat Mata portrait allegedly tied to RSS shakhas.Agriculture minister P Prasad, who was to attend the function, withdrew hours before it began. “Raj Bhavan made some unexpected changes in the proceedings. It was informed on Wednesday evening that a floral tribute to Bharat Mata’s portrait would be included. We don’t oppose Bharat Mata, but the one placed on the dais is typically used by RSS and even features a non-official Indian map,” Prasad said.He said the portrait appeared recently, including during arecent lecture by RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy, organised after Operation Sindoor.Raj Bhavan went ahead with the event without govt participation. According to governor Rajendra V Arlekar, the state brass had asked for the portrait’s removal, a request Raj Bhavan denied. “We cannot keep away Bharat Mata. These are the ideals we live for,” he said.Sources said Prasad discussed the matter with CM Pinarayi Vijayan before skipping the event. “It’s dangerous that Raj Bhavan is being controlled by external forces,” the minister alleged.

CPM state secretary M V Govindan backed Prasad, while opposition leader V D Satheesan of Congress slammed Raj Bhavan for “turning into RSS headquarters”.Former BJP state chief K Surendran called the boycott anti-national. “It’s absurd to say this portrait belongs to RSS. There is no separate Bharat Mata for them. As an elected representative, he must respect national symbols,” Surendran said.

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