A fresh wave of political tension has gripped Kerala following a row over the public display of a Bharat Mata image during official functions attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The controversy erupted on June 24, 2025, when students from the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest outside Kerala University’s senate hall.
Governor Arlekar was scheduled to attend a book launch commemorating the Emergency, but his arrival was delayed due to a spontaneous protest over the display of a Bharat Mata image, which the protesters viewed as bearing ideological ties to the Sangh Parivar.
This was not an isolated incident. Earlier, on June 5, Agriculture Minister P Prasad boycotted an event at the Raj Bhavan, citing the same issue, followed by Education Minister V Sivankutty, staging a walkout from a Bharat Scouts and Guides function on June 19, objecting to the presence of the same image.
The governor, however, defended the image and dismissed the protests as “modern-day censorship,” drawing parallels with the Emergency era. He further claimed that the Bharat Mata image was a national symbol used historically, and accused the state government of intolerance.
Student leaders opine...
Shivaprasad, State President of Kerala SFI, described the current situation as part of a long-standing issue. He recalled that the previous governor, Arif Mohammed Khan, meddled with the state universities by nominating Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed representatives and speaking against student unions, depriving them of their autonomy and academic freedom.
“Now,” Shivaprasad said, “with Rajendra Arlekar being appointed Governor, his very first move has been to erect the symbols of Hinduism.” Arlekar, he added, is now increasingly seen as a ‘mirror image’ of Hindutva politics.
Shivaprasad clarified that the SFI does not oppose the broader cultural or religious interpretations of Bharat Mata, noting that there are indeed various beliefs, customs, and even temples dedicated to her across India. “What we are questioning is the Bharat Mata being endorsed by the RSS-backed Governor, " he said, speaking to EdexLive.
While stating that Arlekar, as a former karsevak, has the personal right to keep the image in his private space, Shivaprasad drew a firm line when it comes to official functions. “As a governor, it is unconstitutional for him to place such images in official state events or in the Raj Bhavan,” he argued. “The RSS has accelerated its efforts to promote anti-secular and unconstitutional motives, and this is one such clear example.”
Shivaprasad went on to accuse the governor of using his Constitutional position to dilute the secular fabric of Kerala. “In events organised by Raj Bhavan or the state government, the governor is representing a public office. He is expected to act within the Constitutional framework, but what he’s doing now is contrary to that,” he said.
Adding to this, Sanjeev – the State Secretary of Kerala SFI noted that there is an ongoing trend of “saffronisation” of public offices. “This isn’t an isolated act. It’s part of larger attempts to insert communal symbolism into spaces that should remain secular,” he said, speaking to EdexLive.
Responding to Governor Arlekar’s remarks that the SFI-led protests were a form of "modern-day censorship," Shivaprasad dismissed the claim. “The governor is a ceremonial head bound by the Constitution and its spirit. The Indian Constitution reveres the National Flag, National Anthem, and shared symbols of unity; however, it does not include Bharat Mata,” he said.
He also warned, “What began as a row over Bharat Mata is now escalating, with some RSS leaders even calling for changes to the Indian flag. Tomorrow, they might ask for amendments to the Constitution itself. This is no longer a Kerala-centric issue; this affects the whole country,” he said. “It is, in fact, the governor who is now imposing censorship.”
Shivaprasad also pointed to the Constitutional ambiguity around the governor’s dual role as chancellor of universities. “Though the governor is appointed by the Central government, the position of chancellor is given by the state government. As chancellor, the governor is accountable to the state, not the Centre,” he said.
Not the first time...
He recalled previous confrontations between the student community and the Raj Bhavan, especially when the governor appointed vice-chancellors without consulting the state government. “This isn’t the first time we've seen an overreach. The student community has resisted such attempts before, and we will continue to do so.”
The row has now entered a more serious phase, with members of the Kerala University syndicate and the registrar deciding to pursue legal action challenging the recent string of events. Shivaprasad pointed out that the governor has violated a memorandum which clearly states that he must uphold constitutional values and refrain from projecting any religious or communal viewpoints in his official capacity.
He further stated, “This tussle is not between Raj Bhavan and the state government but between RSS and the people of Kerala.” According to him, the real danger lies in the attempt to tamper with Kerala’s long-standing communal harmony. “Any effort to promote divisive, separatist tendencies or to breed communal hatred will not be tolerated by the people here,” he said.
When asked about the current status of the protest, Shivaprasad made it clear that the SFI’s agitation will continue. “The protest will go on as long as the governor does not denounce these communal tendencies,” he said. He added that at every public function the governor attends, SFI will continue to remind him of his duty. “We will carry the Preamble of the Constitution to these events to remind him that he is holding a public office and that he is bound to abide by constitutional principles,” he said.
What ABVP says...
Shravan Raj, National Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), speaking to EdexLive, offered a sharp counterpoint to the ongoing protests. He described Bharat Mata as a unifying and binding force, especially during the independence struggle. “It is a strong symbol with different interpretations across regions and communities,” he said.
According to him, for ABVP, Bharatamba represents a powerful image that evokes a deep sense of nationalism. “Some may revere Bharat Mata holding the National Flag, others may see her holding a saffron flag. Either way, the feeling she seeks to evoke is nationalism,” he said.
Shravan emphasised that the decision to display the image at Raj Bhavan lies entirely with the governor. “It’s his discretion. It’s not something others should politicise,” he said.
He alleged that the row surrounding Bharat Mata was a pre-planned move by the CPI(M)-led Kerala government to garner media attention. “This is a way to draw the media’s focus away from real issues, like the government’s failure to rehabilitate displaced families in Wayanad after the floods, or its opposition to implementing programmes like PM SHRI, which could benefit thousands of students aiming for better education opportunities,” he added.
“We worship Bharata Mata and see that image with respect. It’s unfortunate that the government is dragging a revered icon into controversy just to gain a win over the media,” he said.
In response to the ongoing row, CM Pinarayi Vijayan has officially issued a communique reiterating the governor's defence as a violation of Constitutional protocol. As the discussion on this issue heats up, it remains to be seen whether it will contribute to the ongoing debate on federalism and the friction between state governments and centrally appointed governors.
