'Only national flag and national symbols must be used in official events'; govt writes to Governor on Bharat Mata issue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has formally urged Governor Rajendra Arlekar to ensure that only the national flag and national symbols are displayed at official public events organised by the Raj Bhavan. The request was made through a letter from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, following a decision taken at a recent state cabinet meeting.

The letter, issued in response to the inclusion of an image of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag at a Raj Bhavan event, expressed strong objection to the use of symbols other than those officially recognised. The government emphasised that the national flag was designed without any communal or social bias, referencing debates from the 1947 Constituent Assembly to support its stance.

Quoting Sarojini Naidu, the letter argued that only the tricolour should be used in any official or ceremonial function in public spaces across the country. The use of any other flags or emblems, it stated, amounts to disrespecting the national flag and emblem. The cabinet also requested that the Governor direct Raj Bhavan officials to strictly adhere to this guideline.

This development comes in response to an earlier letter from Governor Arlekar to the Chief Minister, in which he praised the symbolism of Bharat Mata and criticised General Education Minister V. Sivankutty for walking out of a Raj Bhavan event over the display. The government's letter was sent as a rebuttal to the Governor’s remarks.