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<p data-start="82" data-end="328"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tensions between the Kerala government and Raj Bhavan intensified on Thursday after State Education Minister V. Sivankutty staged a walkout during an official event, objecting to the display of a Bharat Mata image closely associated with the RSS.</span></p>
<p data-start="330" data-end="705"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The incident took place during a certificate distribution function hosted by the Indian Scout and Guides at the Governor&rsquo;s residence. Minister Sivankutty, who was invited to speak, said he was surprised to see the Governor and other dignitaries lighting a ceremonial lamp and offering floral tributes to an image of Bharat Mata resembling those used by RSS-affiliated groups.</span></p>
<p data-start="707" data-end="1065"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;When my turn to speak came, I began by voicing my protest. I made it clear that such imagery is inappropriate at a state-sponsored event and then walked out,&rdquo; said Sivankutty. He clarified that if the image had been of Mahatma Gandhi or even Prime Minister Modi, it would have been acceptable, but the RSS-style depiction had no place in a government event.</span></p>
<p data-start="1067" data-end="1399"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The minister accused Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar of attempting to infuse ideological symbols into state functions, describing the Governor's approach as more rigid than that of his predecessor, Arif Mohammed Khan. He warned that if such actions continue, the government may have to consider boycotting future Raj Bhavan programmes.</span></p>
<p data-start="1401" data-end="1534"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;I refrained from walking out with the children to maintain basic decorum, but Raj Bhavan is not private property,&rdquo; Sivankutty added.</span></p>
<p data-start="1536" data-end="1921"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In response, Raj Bhavan issued a statement condemning the minister&rsquo;s conduct, calling it a breach of protocol. The statement said that ministers are expected to arrive on time and stay for the full duration of events when the Governor is present, but Sivankutty arrived late and left early. It also claimed that his comments appeared to be pre-planned, as he read from a prepared note.</span></p>
<p data-start="1923" data-end="2199"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">This isn&rsquo;t the first controversy involving the image. Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad skipped a Raj Bhavan event on Environment Day for the same reason. The state government had quickly organised an alternate event at the Secretariat to avoid confrontation.</span></p>
<p data-start="2201" data-end="2458"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Questions have also emerged over Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan&rsquo;s statement on Wednesday night, where he claimed that Raj Bhavan had assured him such imagery would not be used in official programmes. That assurance appeared to be ignored the very next day.</span></p>
<p data-start="2460" data-end="2693"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan criticised the Chief Minister for not taking a firm stance earlier. &ldquo;This situation could have been avoided had the CM addressed the issue strongly during the Environment Day controversy,&rdquo; he said.</span></p>
<p data-start="2695" data-end="2885" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The episode adds to the ongoing friction between the ruling LDF government and the Governor&rsquo;s office, underscoring deeper disputes over ideological representation and constitutional conduct.</span></p>
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<div class="pointer-events-none h-px w-px" aria-hidden="true" data-edge="true"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.</span></div>

Minister V. Sivankutty staged a walkout during an official event

Sivankutty protests RSS-style image at Raj Bhavan, sparking fresh row with Kerala Governor

Kerala Minister Walks Out Over Bharat Mata Image

Sivankutty protests RSS-style image at Raj Bhavan, sparking fresh row with Kerala Governor

June 19, 2025 | 23:08 IST