Kerala Minister Walks Out On Governor Over 'RSS-Style' Bharat Mata Portrait, Raj Bhavan Calls It 'Grave Insult'

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty protested the display of a Bharat Mata portrait, reportedly deemed RSS-affiliated, at a state-sponsored Scouts and Guides event.

Sivankutty, who also holds the post of president of the state Scouts and Guides, initially participated in the distribution of awards but exited the event midway.

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A fresh row has erupted between Kerala government and Raj Bhavan after Education Minister V Sivankutty walked out of an event on Thursday in protest against the display of a Bharat Mata portrait on stage. The incident occurred during the Rajyapuraskar Award distribution ceremony for the Bharat Scouts and Guides, a joint programme organised by the state government and the office of Governor Rajendra Arlekar.

Sivankutty, who also holds the post of president of the state Scouts and Guides, initially participated in the distribution of awards but exited the event midway, citing objection to the presence of the image on the dais, as per a report on Manorama.

It is reported that prior communication had been sent to the Raj Bhavan by the government, requesting the exclusion of imagery associated with the RSS, especially the Bharat Mata depiction featuring the RSS flag, from official events. The display, they argue, undermined the secular and non-partisan character expected at state-sponsored functions.

"Upon arrival, I noticed that the Governor and others had lit a ceremonial lamp and paid floral tributes to an image of Bharat Mata, often associated with the RSS," he said.

"When my turn to speak came, I rose and began by expressing my strong protest to the Governor. I made it clear that such an image is unacceptable at a government function. This is a state-organised event, and the display of an RSS-style image is completely inappropriate. I then walked out in protest," Sivankutty added.

Raj Bhavan officials, however, defended the decision, stating that while such imagery is avoided during strictly protocol-bound events—such as swearing-in ceremonies—it is still customarily used in cultural and semi-official programmes, like the Scouts and Guides event.

Raj Bhavan Slams Minister's Move

Kerala’s Raj Bhavan on Thursday sharply criticised General Education Minister V Sivankutty for walking out of a public function while Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was still on the dais. The act was described as a “serious breach of protocol and a grave insult to the constitutional office of the Governor.”