'Like Marianne to France and Athena to Greece'; Kerala Guv's private sec responds to Bharat Mata controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Governor's Deputy Private Secretary P.Sreekumar blamed the Agriculture Department for aggravating the ‘Bharat Mata’ controversy, in an article he wrote for a news daily. Sreekumar said that the Agriculture department cited RSS links with the ‘Bharat Mata’ photo and shrewdly decided to politicize the issue by boycotting the program at the last minute.

P SREEKUMAR:

“Lighting lamp in front of Bharat Mata portrait was made mandatory for any function in Kerala Raj Bhavan after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar assumed office a few months back. This was a mark of respect for the unity of the country. Many such functions took place in this same venue without inviting any chance for controversy or backlash.

On the day of the function, the government informed Kerala Raj Bhavan that showering flowers on the Bharat Mata portrait was against protocol. How can offering flowers to the picture of Mother India be unconstitutional? If we are allowed to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai at the end of the national anthem, what is wrong with offering flowers to the same idol that we revere?

The concept of Bharat Mata is not part of the agenda of any organization. The move to find fault with the saffron flag and the Bharat Mata portrait is a concerted effort to belittle the spiritual depth of the concept. Like Marianne to France and Athena to Greece, India worships and bows down before Bharat Mata. She is a symbol of devotion and dedication.

The government's attitude is one of unwillingness to embrace cultural expressions of patriotism. The very idea of ​​Bharat Mata is giving nightmares to a few. When it comes to nationally revered concepts, one should try to hide their partisan trait.”