Why Did Kerala Minister Boycott Raj Bhavan's Environment Day Celebrations?
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Synopsis
Tensions rise in Kerala as Agriculture Minister P. Prasad boycotts World Environment Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan due to a controversial image of Bharat Mata associated with the RSS. The incident reflects deeper political tensions and the ongoing debate over the representation of cultural symbols in state functions.
Key Takeaways
- Minister P. Prasad's boycott highlights political tensions.
- Controversial imagery raises questions about cultural representation.
- Separate celebrations showcase the divide between state officials.
- Political affiliations influence state functions.
- The incident reflects broader national discussions.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 5 (IANS) A significant controversy emerged on Thursday when Kerala's Agriculture Minister, P. Prasad, decided to boycott the state-level World Environment Day celebrations held at Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar.
The Minister's decision stemmed from his discontent regarding the display of a Bharat Mata picture, which is typically associated with the RSS, on the main dais.
Prasad explained to the media that the event's arrangements were discussed with the Governor. “A last-minute alteration was made last night which was not acceptable to our government. The image showcased was not the standard Bharat Mata we acknowledge; instead, it was the one affiliated with the RSS. It is inappropriate to exhibit such images, and the Governor insisted it would remain unchanged, prompting our government to withdraw from the event at Raj Bhavan,” Prasad stated.
“This act is unconstitutional. Such changes have only been observed since the current Governor took office. We hold the traditional Bharat Mata image in high esteem, but not the one used by the RSS,” Prasad continued.
Interestingly, on the previous evening, officials from the Minister's office had inspected the Central Hall at Raj Bhavan, where the Bharat Mata image was displayed.
Following their report about the image, the Minister consulted with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, leading to the decision for Prasad to abstain from the meeting.
Prasad contacted Raj Bhavan to express that he would not attend unless the image was removed. However, Governor Arlekar maintained his position that the picture would stay. Consequently, the state government opted to host a separate event in the Durbar Hall of the State Secretariat to commemorate World Environment Day.
The Chief Secretary was tasked with organizing this alternate event. As a result, two state-level celebrations took place on Thursday—one led by Arlekar at Raj Bhavan and the other in the Durbar Hall, overseen by Prasad.
Prasad, a first-time legislator, is affiliated with the CPI.
Former Minister and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswan criticized the display, labeling it unacceptable for a state function.
Notably, last month, Governor Arlekar had invited RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy to speak following the success of Operation Sindoor, to which CM Vijayan expressed concern over converting Raj Bhavan into an RSS venue.
Point of View
The incident involving Kerala's Agriculture Minister and the Raj Bhavan's World Environment Day celebrations underscores the complex interplay between politics, culture, and governance. It raises important questions about the appropriateness of political imagery in state functions and reflects broader national discussions on cultural representation.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the boycott by Kerala's Agriculture Minister?
The boycott was prompted by the display of a Bharat Mata picture associated with the RSS at the Raj Bhavan during the World Environment Day celebrations.
What was the reaction of the Kerala government to the picture?
The Kerala government, represented by Minister P. Prasad, deemed the image inappropriate and unconstitutional, leading to the decision to boycott the event.
How did the Governor respond to the Minister's concerns?
Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar maintained that the Bharat Mata picture would not be removed, leading to a split in the celebrations.
