Amid Bharat Mata row, state to include school lesson on guv's ‘real role'
Thiruvananthapuram: The controversy over the display of a Bharat Mata portrait allegedly used in RSS shakhas at functions in Raj Bhavan has all the signs of snowballing into a protracted showdown between the state govt and governor Rajendra V Arlekar.
A day after walking out of an event at Raj Bhavan for the same, general education minister V Sivankutty on Friday said the real role and responsibilities of governors, as defined in the Constitution, would be included in the Class X social science textbook in this academic year. The decision, he said, was taken in view of the increasing attempts to weaken elected state govts using governors.
"Since schools are the best places to instil democratic values, the constitutional powers of the governor will be included as a prominent section in the SSLC textbook," he said.
Raj Bhavan sources, meanwhile, said the governor continued to stick to his stance that Sivankutty violated protocol by walking out of the event, which, according to Arlekar, was not strictly a state govt function. According to the governor, the distribution of Rajya Puraskar awards to Bharat Scouts and Guides was not a state govt event and the minister had no reason to object to the display of the Bharat Mata portrait.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Top Doctor: If You Eat Eggs Every Day, This Is What Happens
WellnessGuide
Learn more
Undo
Arlekar had on Thursday stated that there was no question of doing away with Bharat Mata "as we draw our idea of patriotism and nationhood from her."
Some Raj Bhavan officials had earlier indicated that the governor had agreed to avoid such portraits at govt functions held at Raj Bhavan.
Backing Sivankutty, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said only those who had studied the Constitution could identify violation of constitutional values.
He accused Arlekar of trying to convert Raj Bhavan into RSS headquarters. "All those who believe in democracy should oppose this approach by the governor. This is not something CPM alone should protest against," he said after the party's state secretariat meeting on Friday.
Hinting at CPM's intent to escalate the controversy, SFI workers took out a march to Raj Bhavan on Friday, carrying banners against the governor. SFI state secretary P S Sanjeev said the governor had no right to use Raj Bhavan to advance his RSS ideology. DYFI also staged a similar protest march to Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Meanwhile, ABVP activists came out in support of the governor, waving black flags at Sivankutty.
Agriculture minister P Prasad had earlier refused to attend a function at Raj Bhavan when he was told that he should pay tributes in front of the Bharat Mata portrait before the ceremony.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
Seminar in Madikeri revives Codava demand for geo-political autonomy
A renewed call for Codava autonomy and tribal recognition resonated from the hills of Kodagu as the Codava National Council (CNC) organised a high-profile seminar near Madikeri, marking 35 years of the organisation's apolitical movement seeking constitutional and cultural safeguards for the Codava people. Delivering the keynote lecture, Supreme Court advocate and constitutional law expert Vikram Hegde underscored the community's long-standing demands, including geo-political autonomy under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Scheduled Tribe status, language inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, and protection of traditional land, cultural, and religious rights. Referring to the Codavas as an 'animistic, mono-ethnic group with deep-rooted ties to their ancestral lands,' Hegde noted that the community met several criteria under both domestic law and international conventions on indigenous peoples, particularly the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). He argued for a 'holistic and historically informed assessment' of the Codavas' demand for Scheduled Tribe classification. CNC President N.U. Nachappa Kodava, who presided over the seminar, reiterated the community's call for a Codava Autonomous Region (CAR) within the Indian Union—akin to the Gorkha Hill Council or the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils. 'Our aspiration is not secession but dignity—through federal accommodation of our unique identity,' Nachappa said. Citing the dilution of Codava presence in Parliament since the 1967 election of C.M. Poonacha, the seminar highlighted how Kodagu's merger with Karnataka in 1956 eroded the political representation of the community. Hegde called for serious consideration of Constitutional mechanisms such as inclusion under the Fifth or Sixth Schedule or a new provision like Article 371 tailored for Kodagu. 'Asymmetric federalism is not alien to India—it is the framework by which we have protected many identities. Codavas, with their contributions to national defence and administration, deserve similar recognition,' he said. The seminar also addressed growing concerns over the application of general laws—such as the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions Act and the SARFAESI Act—which threaten to undermine Codava religious freedom and land tenure. Senior Karnataka High Court advocate M.T. Nanaiah, supporting the CNC's legal initiatives, emphasised the community's peaceful advocacy over decades. 'Codavas have not resorted to agitation. They have used democratic and legal means. That alone deserves attention from the Centre,' he said.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shots at Democrats: JD Vance calls Alex Padilla 'Jose Padilla' after press clash; blames Gavin Newsom for LA unrest
JD Vance US vice president JD Vance sparked outrage on Friday during a tense visit to Los Angeles, where he accused California governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass of encouraging violent immigration protests and mistakenly referred to Senator Alex Padilla as 'Jose Padilla,' a name associated with a convicted al-Qaida plotter. Vance's visit came after days of violent clashes between police and protesters, following federal immigration raids across Southern California. The Trump administration's decision to send in 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines has been heavily criticised by state and local leaders, who accuse the White House of escalating tensions rather than calming them. Speaking to reporters after touring a federal Joint Operations Center and mobile command centre, Vance doubled down on blaming California officials. 'Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass, by treating the city as a sanctuary city, have basically said that this is open season on federal law enforcement,' he said. 'What happened here was a tragedy,' Vance continued. 'You had people who were doing the simple job of enforcing the law and they had rioters egged on by the governor and the mayor, making it harder for them to do their job. That is disgraceful. And it is why the president has responded so forcefully.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Vance also referred to Democratic Senator Alex Padilla as 'Jose Padilla,' a week after the senator was tackled and handcuffed while speaking at a news conference hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem . 'I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question,' Vance said. 'I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn't a theatre. And that's all it is.' Critics were quick to call out the remark, noting that 'Jose Padilla' is the name of a man convicted of terrorism-related charges during the Bush administration. Governor Newsom responded on X, saying the name mix-up was 'no accident.' Governor Newsom fired back during a press conference, accusing Vance of spreading 'utter nonsense.' He denied claims that state officials encouraged violence, saying, 'The Vice President's claim is categorically false. The governor has consistently condemned violence and has made his stance clear.' Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the comment. 'How dare you say that city officials encourage violence? We kept the peace,' she said, calling the federal operation a 'stunt' that wasted hundreds of millions of dollars. Earlier that day, Newsom had urged Vance to meet with victims of January's deadly wildfires while in California and to speak with US President Donald Trump about unlocking $40 billion in federal wildfire aid. 'I hope we get that back on track,' Newsom posted on X. 'We are counting on you, Mr Vice President.' Vance did not respond to those remarks during his Friday appearance.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
HC issues notice to SP over midnight raids on RSS activists
Bengaluru: The High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Superintendent of Police (SP), Mangaluru, in connection with midnight raids conducted on the residences of Hindu activists and RSS leaders in the communally-sensitive Mangaluru district. A Division Bench headed by Justice Sunil Dutt issued the notice on Friday. Senior Counsel Arun Shyam appeared on behalf of the petitioner in court. The High Court has directed SP K. Arun to submit all related documents concerning the raids. The court further cautioned the police department against taking any action that violates the law. The order was passed while hearing a petition filed by U.G. Radha, a resident of Uppinangady in Mangaluru district, who challenged the police action. Radha, a senior citizen, alleged that on the night of June 1, police personnel arrived at her residence and uploaded the photograph in this connection to a departmental app. She submitted to the court that when she questioned their actions, the police claimed they were acting on orders from senior officers. She further stated that the officers did not show any documents authorising the action.
