‘Bharat Mata’ row may nurture divisiveness, claims Karassery

Social critic M.N. Karssery has urged Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as well as the State government to refrain from their discord based over ‘Bharat Mata’ as it is now becoming a symbol of hatred and alienation. Maintaining that the concept of ‘Bharat Mata’ had no connection with the Constitution of India, he put forth his fear that the latest controversy would only nurture divisiveness.

Mr. Karassery came down heavily on the tendency to worship symbols such as Bharat Mata at a discussion on ‘Constitution and Bharat Mata’ organised by the Calicut Press Club in association with the ICJ Alumni Network in Kozhikode on Saturday (June 28, 2025).

“Nothing is beyond criticism, be it the Constitution or Gandhi. Criticism will only nourish democracy,” he said. Tracing the history of the concept of ‘Bharat Mata’ to the times of the national movement, he said that nobody had the right to demand another person to worship anything. “What the Governor did was anti-democratic and unethical. There is nothing wrong with him worshipping ‘Bharat mata’ in his personal space though”, Mr. Karassery added.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national vice-president A.P. Abdullakutty countered Mr. Karassery, recounting the beginning of the concept of ‘Bharat Mata’. He said the concept of ‘Bharat Mata’ was rooted in the culture and tradition of the country. “Those who criticise the Governor over the use of the ‘Bharat Mata’ portrait are playing dirty politics. Their intention is appeasement of the Muslim community. But they are underestimating the Muslims of this country. They are not that shallow,” he said. He used the opportunity to demand that the Prime Minister come up with a unified image of Bharat Mata against the backdrop of the differences of opinion regarding it and to include the said image among the official symbols of the country.

Director of Keluettan Study and Research Centre and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader K.T. Kunhikannan pointed out that the Constitution does not support the concept of ‘Bharat Mata’ and that someone in a constitutional post shall hence not use it in official programmes. “Myths are not part of history. The nation is made of history. The concept of ‘Bharat’ as well as ‘Bharat Mata’ are myths,” he said.

Calicut Press Club president E.P. Mohammed was the moderator of the session.