Kerala Government Boycotts Raj Bhavan Event Over 'Bharat Mata' Portrait Controversy

Thiruvananthapuram, June 6, 2025 —
A fresh flashpoint has erupted between the Left-led Kerala government and the state’s Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, after a controversy broke out over the display of a ‘Bharat Mata’ image at the Raj Bhavan. The conflict prompted the government to relocate the official World Environment Day celebrations to the Secretariat’s Durbar Hall, a move being viewed as both symbolic and political.

The controversy has added fuel to the ongoing tensions between the Governor and the state’s ruling coalition, raising questions about constitutional authority, secularism, and the politicization of national symbols.

Backdrop of the Incident

The Kerala Agriculture Department had scheduled the state-level Environment Day function at the Raj Bhavan, with the Governor invited as the chief guest. As is standard for such events, officials of the Agriculture Ministry visited the Raj Bhavan beforehand to inspect arrangements.

To their surprise, they found a large image of ‘Bharat Mata’ — depicted in saffron attire, holding a saffron flag, and standing over an unofficial map of India — placed prominently behind the dais where dignitaries were to be seated. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, who belongs to the Communist Party of India (CPI), immediately objected to the display.

Government’s Objection

According to Minister Prasad, the image in question was not a neutral symbol of national identity, but a specific ideological version of ‘Bharat Mata’ historically linked to the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). He pointed out that the image:

• Depicted an unofficial map of India, potentially including disputed territories,

• Was heavily associated with RSS and Hindutva symbolism, and

• Was not a commonly accepted national icon for government functions.

“We don’t have a problem with the concept of Bharat Mata or her representation in the Indian cultural context,” said Prasad. “But this specific image has been repeatedly used by the RSS and its affiliates. It does not represent the constitutional idea of India, and it is inappropriate for a state function.”

The minister said that allowing such symbolism in a government event would compromise the secular character of the administration and potentially politicize what should be an apolitical, environmental function.

Governor Arlekar's Response

Governor Rajendra Arlekar, however, stood his ground and refused to remove the image. In his view, the depiction of Bharat Mata was not political but symbolic of national pride and unity.

“Bharat Mata is not a symbol of any one group. She represents the soul of India — our nation, our motherland. To say she cannot be shown at Raj Bhavan is disrespectful to the nation itself,” the Governor said.

He insisted that the Raj Bhavan, as the constitutional residence of the Governor, had the right to display such a nationalistic image and that no external pressure could dictate what imagery was appropriate in the building.

State Government Walks Out

Given the Governor’s refusal to remove the image, the Kerala government made a swift and assertive decision to pull out of the Raj Bhavan event entirely. The official function was quickly shifted to the Durbar Hall of the Secretariat, attended by Minister P. Prasad and other government officials.

The government justified the move by saying that constitutional events should remain non-partisan and secular, and that continuing at Raj Bhavan would amount to endorsing the ideological imagery.

CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan lauded the Agriculture Minister’s stance, calling it a principled stand against the saffronization of constitutional spaces.

Opposition’s Take and Political Fallout

The Congress-led opposition also joined the fray, criticizing both the Governor and the display of politically tinged religious iconography at an official state venue.

Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan remarked:

“Raj Bhavan has now become a place for promoting RSS ideology. The Governor is supposed to uphold the Constitution, not act as a mouthpiece for a political organization.”

He also referenced recent events hosted at the Raj Bhavan, such as a talk by RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy, questioning whether the Governor was blurring the lines between his constitutional role and ideological inclinations.

Meanwhile, the BJP came to the Governor’s defense, accusing the state government of anti-nationalism and being disrespectful toward national culture and sentiment.

BJP state president K. Surendran stated:

“Bharat Mata is not the monopoly of RSS. She is a representation of our motherland. The Left government is once again exposing its anti-national character by objecting to a symbol of India.”

Broader Implications of the Incident

The dispute is emblematic of a larger ideological and constitutional tug-of-war between the elected government and the Governor, a trend increasingly seen in several Indian states.

• In Kerala, the relationship between Governor Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has remained strained, with clashes over university appointments, bills passed in the assembly, and now symbolic displays.

• The larger debate over ‘Bharat Mata’ — while seemingly about an image — is really a battle over what kind of India constitutional spaces should represent. The Kerala government and its allies believe in secular neutrality in government institutions, whereas the Governor's camp defends the integration of cultural nationalism into public life.

Political analysts point out that these symbolic controversies are being used to assert cultural dominance, polarize voters, and test the limits of state autonomy under the federal structure.

Public Reactions and Media Discourse

The controversy has sparked a flurry of responses on social media and in editorials. Many commentators have noted:

• Supporters of the government believe the Raj Bhavan should not become a platform for ideological assertion, especially during a global event like Environment Day.

• Supporters of the Governor and BJP argue that objecting to Bharat Mata amounts to denigrating national identity, and question whether the state government is being overly sensitive or politically opportunistic.

Some neutral voices have called for a codified protocol on symbols and imagery used at official events, to prevent such disputes in the future.

 A Symbolic Clash with National Implications

The row over the ‘Bharat Mata’ image at Raj Bhavan is more than just a disagreement over art — it represents the deepening ideological rift in Indian politics. It reflects how symbols, religion, and nationalism are becoming potent political tools, even in spaces that are meant to be above politics.

While the Kerala government maintains it is upholding the constitutional values of secularism and neutrality, the Governor’s side argues it is defending India’s cultural roots and patriotism.

With both camps refusing to compromise, this episode adds yet another chapter to the increasingly contentious relationship between elected state governments and centrally-appointed Governors — a theme that is likely to continue dominating Indian political discourse.