Education Minister sets wrong precedent, insults Governor; Raj Bhavan issues statement

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Raj Bhavan has issued a statement against Education Minister V Sivankutty over the Bharat Mata controversy that resurfaced again. The minister sets a wrong precedent. The statement said the minister walked out amidst the national anthem and that he has insulted the Governor.

The minister arrived late for the function and left early. The statement alleged that the minister failed to inform the Raj Bhavan about his exit during the event. The controversy over Bharat Mata’s picture resurfaced at the Scout and Guides Awards function.

V Sivankutty had clarified that he went to attend the function because Raj Bhavan had informed that Bharat Mata’s picture would not be displayed. The minister had earlier said the function started after paying floral tributes to Bharat Mata’s picture by the time he arrived. He expressed his disagreement through the microphone, saying that India is his country.

'There were no floral tributes in the programme scheduled. On reaching there, saw paying floral tributes. The Governor had taken a very arrogant stand. He has made the Raj Bhavan a political center,’ the minister told media.