Bharat Mata row: Kerala govt vs Raj Bhavan stand-off hits the streets

The Raj Bhavan-Kerala government row over the contentious use of a saffron-flag-bearing image of Bharath Mata sitting astride a lion, arguably emblematic of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) notion of a Hindu Rashtra, at State events spilt onto the streets on Friday (June 20, 2025).

General Education Minister V. Sivankutty re-ignited the simmering controversy on Thursday by walking out of an official function attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlerkar at the Raj Bhavan, stating that political symbols had no place in constitutional offices or State events.

Raj Bhavan condemned the Minister’s boycott as violating protocol and insulting the Governor’s office. It also ruled out removing the picture from its central hall, the customary venue of official events.