Kerala minister boycotts event over ‘Bharat Mata' photo
Kerala minister P Prasad boycotted a sapling plantation event at the governor's house in Thiruvananthapuram on World Environment Day on Thursday over floral tributes to a Bharat Mata portrait, which he insisted is associated mainly with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s ideological fount, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The row comes days after both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) criticised the presence of RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy at an event related to Operation Sindoor, India's cross-border anti-terror strikes last month, at the governor's house.
Prasad said the plantation programme schedule was changed on Wednesday with the addition of the floral tributes. 'Such a ritual has never been part of official events at the Raj Bhawan [governor's house]...,' said Prasad, who planted saplings separately after skipping the Raj Bhawan event.
Prasad, a Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, said they told the officials that such a portrait must not be used at a government event, especially in a constitutional office. 'It is against the Constitution. The governor's office insisted on it. We are not against Bharat Mata...we often have children dressing up as Bharat Mata at government events and official Onam celebrations,' said Prasad.
CPI leader Binoy Viswam, too, criticised the Raj Bhawan for using the photograph of Bharat Mata carrying a saffron flag for the event. 'Will the photograph of Bharat Mata be complete only if she holds the RSS flag? Will it be complete only if she stands by a lion? The Raj Bhawan should never have become a platform for such adamant stands of the RSS,' Viswam said.
Opposition Congress leader VD Satheesan echoed Viswam. 'Raj Bhawan should never become a stage for such events and actions. It is the office of the head of state. We raised the issue when Gurumurthy was invited to the governor's house,' he said, adding the Raj Bhawan should have invited defence experts and former ambassadors to the event.
Responding to the row, BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan said, 'I do not understand why Prasad or CPI leaders are reacting this way. The photograph of Bharat Mata should not be seen as a religious symbol.'
Governor Rajendra Arlekar, reacting to the controversy, said his office cannot remove the photo of Bharat Mata.
'I was told that a minister wanted the photo of Bharat Mata removed from the dais. I said we will do everything possible but we cannot remove (the photo of ) Bharat Mata. These are ideals for which we are living and we cannot do away with these. That was probably the reason why both ministers have not come here. I don't know what sort of thinking we have in our minds.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
Vijay Rupani killed in Ahmedabad plane crash: Who was low-profile BJP leader?
Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad today (June 12). He was on his way to London to meet his family. The 68-year-old BJP leader was known for his soft-spoken, calm and steady political style read more Vijay Rupani was the former chief minister of Gujarat. Former Gujarat chief Minister Vijay Rupani was killed on the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad today (June 12). The London-bound plane crashed just minutes after taking off. Union Minister CR Patil on Thursday confirmed that Rupani was board. 'Our leader, former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, was on that flight. He, too, has fallen victim to this tragic accident. May God grant peace to his soul.' While all 242 passengers and crew were feared dead, there are reports of a single survivor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rupani, who was in seat 2D of the Boeing Dreamliner, was headed to London to meet his family. He was seated in business class. Rupani is survived by his wife Anjali and their two children. But who was the 68-year-old Rupani? What do we know about him? Let's take a closer look Who was he? Rupani, 68, was a low-profile BJP leader and an RSS man through and through. Rupani was born in Myanmar's Rangoon on August 2, 1956 – the youngest of seven children. Rupani and his family moved to Gujarat due to political instability in Myanmar. Read Ahmedabad Plane Crash LIVE updates Rupani, who is from the Jain Bania community, joined an RSS shakha while he was still in school. He later joined the RSS' student wing – the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He graduated from Saurashtra University with a law degree. In 1971, Rupani was associated with the Jan Sangh. He cut his political teeth in the Gujarat Navnirman agitation in 1974. Rupani was jailed for a year during the during the Emergency in the Bhuj and Bhavnagar jails. He later joined the RSS where he served as a pracharak from 1978 to 1981. VIjay Rupani, 68, was born in Myanmar's Rangoon on August 2, 1956 Rupani has been associated with the BJP from the party's formation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He initially worked in the BJP's organisational wing, before being elected a municipal councilor in Rajkot in 1987. He also served as mayor of Gujarat from 1996 to 1997. It was here that he first gained popularity for his focus on infrastructure. In 1998, Rupani was elected the BJP's general secretary in Gujarat. It was a position he would serve in on four occasions. He also served as the party's state spokesperson. Rupani was also appointed the chairman of Gujarat tourism in 2006. The board at this time roped in Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan to promote Gujarat as a tourism destination. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012. Rupani fought his first Assembly election in 2014 – in which he prevailed from Rajkot West. Rupani was inducted into the Gujarat Cabinet of Anandiben Patel and given the portfolio of transport, water supply, labour and employment. He also briefly served as BJP president of Gujarat – from February to August 2016. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rupani as Gujarat Chief Minister Rupani first became a candidate for Chief Minister of Gujarat after Anandiben – the first and only woman to hold the highest post in Gujarat – quit in 2016. Rupani was in a toss-up with Nitin Patel – until Amit Shah reportedly weighed in and convinced Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Rupani was the man for the job. Rupani and Shah were said to be extremely close. A senior Gujarat BJP leader told Firstpost at the time, 'Amit Shah had the last laugh'. Amit Shah and VIjay Rupani in 2016. Rupani became Chief Minister of Gujarat on February 19, 2016. Rupani returned to the chief minister's chair in 2017 – defeating anti-incumbency and a violent stir by the Patidars. His political style was often described as 'soft-spoken, calm and steady.' Rupani would remain in the chief minister's chair till September 2021 – when he resigned from the post. 'I am ready to serve in whichever the role the party assigns to me," Rupani said at the time. 'I want to thank BJP for giving me this opportunity to serve as Gujarat's CM. During my tenure, I got the opportunity to add to the development of the state under PM Modi's leadership.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rupani in 2022 announced he would not contest Assembly polls. However, he was the BJP in charge for the Punjab polls. Incidentally, this is the second time a former Gujarat Chief Minister has died in a plane accident. Congress leader Balwantrai Mehta, the second Chief Minister of Gujarat, died in a plane crash in September 1965. Mehta's plane was downed by a Pakistan Air Force pilot. Mehta, his wife, three of his staff, two crew and a journalist were also on board. With inputs from agencies
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
NIA names 64th accused in 2022 Kerala RSS leader Srinivasan's murder case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against a 64th individual in connection with the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader SK Srinivasan in Palakkad, Kerala, in April 2022. The killing was allegedly carried out by members of the banned organisation, the Popular Front of India (PFI).The supplementary chargesheet, filed before the NIA Special Court in Ernakulam, names Rafeek MS as the 64th person to be formally accused in the case. He has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA stated that its investigation remains ongoing, with 71 people identified as accused so far, and eight still to the agency, Rafeek MS, described as an active member of the now-banned Popular Front of India, conspired with others involved in the murder and knowingly harboured Muhammed Shefeek, a key conspirator and member of the reconnaissance team. Rafeek is also accused of destroying evidence and continuing to shelter Shefeek even after the organisation was banned by the Government of India in September 2022. The investigation further revealed that Rafeek had undergone physical and weapons training on multiple occasions at a Popular Front of India centre in Periyar Valley Campus, Aluva, Ernakulam, allegedly as part of preparation for terrorist NIA maintains that the murder of Sreenivasan formed part of a broader conspiracy by the Popular Front of India to commit acts of terror in furtherance of its radical leader Srinivasan was murdered a day after the killing of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activist Subair, who was allegedly hacked to death by RSS workers in Elappully, Palakkad. Srinivasan was attacked and killed at his motorbike shop on April 16, 2022, reportedly in an act of retaliation. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Efforts to abolish child labour should not be merely symbolic, says Judge Amarnath
Senior Civil Judge Amarnath K.K., who is also the member-secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, said here on Thursday that efforts to abolish the scourge of child labour should be backed by real programmes and not be confined to symbolic events. He was speaking at the inauguration of 'World Day Against Child Labour', held at Maharaja's Pre-University College. The judge said that children are pushed into labour at an early age and are deprived of education. The social practice of families depending on child labour for livelihood must be completely eliminated, and is the responsibility of every citizen, he said. The government has enacted Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and this should be implemented in full measure, said Mr. Amarnath. He pointed out that there were 27 laws in the Constitution relating to child-related offences, with Sections 2, 3, and 14 playing key roles. Veena S.R., Assistant Labour Commissioner and member-secretary of the District Child Labour Project, said that parents must encourage children to prioritise learning over earning, and education must not be interrupted in early years. She said society should cultivate the habit of enrolling children in schools if they are found engaged in work. Under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, employing children below 14 years or adolescents in any form of labour is a criminal offence,' Ms. Veena said. Senior advocate N. Sundar Raj said poverty and illiteracy are the primary reasons for the increase in child labour in India. Citing various articles of the Indian Constitution and the laws that prohibit employment of children below 14 years in any hazardous occupation, Mr. Raj said under Article 21A, the government is mandated to provide free and compulsory education to children between 6 and 14 years. Underlining the increase in juvenile delinquency and POCSO cases, he said there are about 900 cases pending in district courts. Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Ravichandra and others were present. The event was organised by the district administration, District Legal Services Authority, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Women and Child Development, the police department, and NGOs.
