On Wednesday, the Kerala Cabinet reportedly considered notifying Raj Bhavan that Constitutional protocol forbids political and religious iconography at State functions.
The administration鈥檚 move comes against the backdrop of Raj Bhavan repeatedly using what the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government described as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh鈥檚 (RSS) Hindu nationalist depiction of 鈥樷楳other India鈥欌 at functions attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Law Minister P. Rajeeve told reporters that the government would inform Raj Bhavan that protocol insisted that only Constitutional symbols, such as the national anthem and national flag, be used at State functions, especially those attended by the Governor, who is the de jure head of the provincial government.
鈥淭he government鈥檚 stance is clear. Using non-Constitutional and non-national symbols with political and religious overtones at secular State functions insults the revered national emblems and the Constitution. The Governor is the Constitutional head of State,鈥 he said.
Mr. Rajeeve demurred when asked whether Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, head of the Council of Ministers, would write to the Governor about the matter. 鈥淲hat transpires between the Cabinet and the Governor cannot be discussed in the public domain,鈥 Mr Rajeev replied.
Mr. Arlerkar appeared to throw down the gauntlet by overruling the government鈥檚 objections to using Bharat Mata pictures at his official functions. He stood firm that Bharat Mata was on a par with other national emblems and a long-revered symbol of national unity.
The use of Bharat Mata鈥檚 image prompted Agriculture Minister P. Prasad and General Education Minister V. Sivankutty to leave official events hosted by Raj Bhavan. The issue had spilt onto the streets with the SFI and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad holding marches for and against using the picture.