‘Not the BJP’s Bharat Mata’: CPI to hoist national flags, plant saplings in protest; questions governor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KANNUR: CPI is not ready to leave aside the controversy that erupted over the ‘Bharat Mata’ portrait at Raj Bhavan. The CPI will hoist the national flag and plant saplings on Saturday to underscore the message that Bharat Mata is truly represented by the tricolour, not the saffron flag.Agriculture minister P Prasad had boycotted the environmental day function at Raj Bhavan on Thursday after governor Rajendra Arlekar rejected the minister’s demand that a portrait of Bharat Mata installed on the dais be removed as the portrait is widely used by the RSS. The minister said the agriculture department decided to shift the function to Durbar Hall in the secretariat complex after Raj Bhavan wanted him to offer floral tributes to the portrait.CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said in a statement on Friday that at government events and tableaus, portraits featuring Bharat Mata carries the national flag. However, the one used by Raj Bhavan shows a saffron flag and other motifs usually seen at RSS events. “Who said Bharat Mata rides a lion? Who said Bharat Mata has to hold a saffron flag? India does not know of such Bharat Mata. Jawaharlal Nehru has explained in detail what Bharat Mata means,” he said.

Viswam told reporters in Kannur on Friday that the governor's official residence should not be converted into the camp office of BJP. “The governor's obstinate stance to use the image at Raj Bhavan as instructed by RSS could not be accepted. Governor should make clear his priority — is it Indian Constitution or RSS?” Viswam said.Viswam said the governor's post is unnecessary in India. “Presently, the central govt is misusing the governors to control opposition-ruled states.

Governors in non-BJP ruled states are illegally holding bills passed by state assembly. The main aim is to resist the development of the states,” he said.Meanwhile, CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Santhosh Kumar wrote to President Droupadi Murmu alleging “misuse” of gubernatorial authority in the opposition-ruled states.He alleged that the use of Bharat Mata image “potentially contravened” the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, “by misusing national symbols for political or sectarian purposes”.On Saturday, all branches of the CPI will hoist the national flag and plant saplings to underscore the message that Bharatamba is truly represented by the tricolour. The saplings will be nurtured by the party branches as symbols of national unity, Viswam said.

Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes, messages, and quotes !