Kerala minister boycotts occasion over Bharat Mata {photograph}

The row comes days after each the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Opposition United Democratic Front criticised the presence of RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy at an occasion associated to Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border anti-terror strikes final month, on the governor’s home.

Prasad stated the plantation programme schedule was modified on Wednesday with the addition of the flower showering. “Such a ritual has never been part of official events at the Raj Bhavan [governor’s house]…,” stated Prasad, who planted saplings individually after skipping the Raj Bhavan occasion.

Prasad, a Communist Party of India (CPI) chief, stated they instructed officers that such {a photograph} should not be used at a authorities occasion, particularly in a constitutional workplace. “It is against the Constitution. The governor’s office insisted on it. We are not against Bharat Mata…we have often kids dressing up as Bharat Mata at government events and official Onam celebrations,” stated Prasad.

CPI chief Binoy Viswam criticised the Raj Bhavan for utilizing the {photograph} of Bharat Mata carrying a saffron flag for the occasion. “Will the photograph of Bharat Mata be complete only if she holds the RSS flag? Will it be complete only if she stands by a lion? The Raj Bhavan should never have become a platform for such adamant stands of the RSS,” Viswam stated.

Opposition Congress chief VD Satheesan echoed Viswam. “Raj Bhavan should never become a stage for such events and actions. It is the office of the head of state. We raised the same criticism when Gurumurthy was invited to the governor’s house,” he stated. Satheesan stated the Raj Bhawan ought to have invited defence specialists and former ambassadors to that occasion.

BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan expressed shock over the contemporary row. “I do not understand why Prasad or CPI leaders are reacting like this. The photograph of Bharat Mata should not be seen as a religious symbol.”