Pinarayi Vijayan defends Minister V. Sivankutty on latter's walkout from Raj Bhavan
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly defended Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty's decision to walk out of a Raj Bhavan event on June 19 in protest against the display of an image of saffron-flag holding Bharat Mata.
The Minister has done nothing wrong, and he had no intention to disrespect the Governor, Mr. Vijayan said in a strongly-worded letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Mr. Sivankutty has merely responded the way a Minister should on seeing a flag and symbol not mandated by the Constitution at an official function. His action is befitting of a Minister who has taken the oath of office under the Constitution, Mr. Vijayan said.
Raj Bhavan's stance
The Minister had walked out during the award distribution related to the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides Rajya Puraskar. Raj Bhavan had termed the Minister's action 'a gross violation of protocol and a grave insult to the office of the Governor.'
In his letter to the Governor, the Chief Minister added that only national symbols and flag mandated by the Constitution should be displayed at official functions at Raj Bhavan.
Earlier in June, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad had skipped the World Environment Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan following the display of the Bharat Matha motif at the event. More recently, the State Cabinet had also drawn the Governor's attention to protocols governing ceremonial and officials functions at Raj Bhavan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala takes digital leap as CM Pinarayi Vijayan opens LuLu's IT Twin Towers in Kochi
KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday inaugurated the LuLu Group's state-of-the-art IT Twin Towers at SmartCity, Kakkanad --- a landmark Rs 1,500-crore project that adds key momentum to the state's transformation into a digitally driven, knowledge-powered economy. Strategically located within the SmartCity Kochi SEZ, the 152-metre-tall towers are the tallest and largest IT infrastructure in South India, offering a total built-up area of 3.5 million sqft, with 2.5 million sqft of leasable space. Designed to accommodate over 30,000 IT professionals, the towers currently house four companies -- EXL, OPI, Dynamed and Selise --- which have taken up 2.5 lakh sqft. 'Kerala is transitioning into a digitally driven economy, and landmark infrastructure projects like the LuLu IT Twin Towers are vital in attracting global tech investments and generating employment for our youth. LuLu Group's continued commitment to investing in Kerala is commendable and much appreciated in today's economic climate,' the chief minister said at the launch. He also announced the LuLu Group's upcoming Rs 500-crore investment in a new IT tower at Infopark Phase 2, which will span 9.5 lakh sqft and is expected to create 7,500 additional jobs, further boosting Kerala's IT sector. LuLu Group chairman Yusuffali M A described the twin towers as 'a symbol of our vision to make Kerala a competitive hub for global technology players' and emphasised the project's role in driving re-migration by creating high-quality job opportunities for youth within Kerala. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan called the towers 'an architectural and technological marvel' and added that the investment by LuLu Group 'inspires confidence in Kerala as a hub for high-end innovation.' State BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the infrastructure 'will act as a catalyst for Kerala's digital economy and support the return of skilled professionals to the state.' Key features of the towers include robotic parking for 4,500 vehicles, 67 high-speed elevators, a 2,500-seater food court, 600-seater conference hall, and on-site helipad. Also present were ministers P Rajeeve and G R Anil, Hibi Eden MP, Deputy Opposition Leader P K Kunhalikutty, Uma Thomas MLA, and senior LuLu Group officials.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Mediapersons facing challenging times: CM Pinarayi Vijayan
KOCHI: Mediapersons working in visual and print media are facing multiple challenges with the development of information technology and the spread of social media, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Kochi on Saturday. Though they are called the protectors of democracy, mediapersons are facing challenges in their work sphere, he said while inaugurating the Journalist Welfare Fund organised by Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) in Kochi. 'As India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index declines, there has been a decline in the rights of journalists. The anti-labour policies of the Union government add to the crisis. The government is trying to merge the Working Journalist Act with the labour code. Concerns have been raised about the fate of the Wage Board formed to ensure better remuneration for journalists,' said Pinarayi Vijayan. Congratulating the KUWJ for launching its own Welfare Fund, he termed it as the right move for survival in challenging times. The decision to support the families of journalists during difficult times reflects the compassion and care towards colleagues. Assuring that there are no insolvable issues between the government and journalists, the chief minister said the problems regarding the Journalist Pension Scheme can be solved through discussions. He also congratulated the KUWJ for launching Breaking D, a campaign against drug menace. Inaugurating Breaking D, the anti-drug campaign launched by the KUWJ, Opposition leader V D Satheesan said while the government agencies focus on enforcement, it is the duty of society to create awareness about the menace. He termed the Journalist Welfare Fund as a model that can be replicated by other organisations. It reflects the compassion and empathy of journalists towards their fellowmen, said Satheesan.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'I think RSS has moved on': Did Shashi Tharoor defend the Sangh? Here's what Congress MP said on Rahul Gandhi's 'Manusmriti' charge
Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and LoP Rahul Gandhi - File Image NEW DELHI: Amidst the growing rift with the Congress Party, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday appears to have sided with the RSS-BJP over the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's accusation that the RSS wanted 'Manusmriti', not the Constitution. While answering to a question over Rahul Gandhi's tweet that the RSS-BJP want Manusmriti instead of the Constitution, Congress MP said that historically the Raebareli MP is right as then RSS chief MS Golwalkar had said that one of the greatest flaws of the Constitution is that there is nothing of the Manusmriti in it. "But I think the RSS itself has moved on from those days," Tharoor said. "Historically, he's (Rahul Gandhi) referring to the fact that that was a criticism expressed at the time of the adoption of the Constitution. Mr Golwalkar, amongst others, said that one of the greatest flaws of the Constitution is that there is nothing of the Manusmriti in it, but I think the RSS itself has moved on from those days. So, as a historical statement, it's accurate, whether it's a reflection of how they feel today. The RSS should be in the best position to answer that..." Tharoor said while talking to reporters. Shashi Tharoor's widening rift with the Congress Party has come under renewed spotlight after a string of pointed remarks and cryptic social media posts seemingly challenging the party's leadership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo One such post read, 'Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one.' This, followed by a series of similar messages, signaled growing tensions between Tharoor and the party. The tensions between Tharoor and Congress leadership rose after he praised PM Modi's diplomacy during Operation Sindoor in a Hindu article, describing his 'energy' and 'dynamism' as assets for India's global standing. The PMO shared the piece, fuelling speculation about Tharoor's loyalty. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge indirectly rebuked him, suggesting his praise for PM Modi was inappropriate. "We say nation first, but some consider Modi first, country later. What can we do about that?" he asked. Tharoor, however, clarified that his remarks reflected national interest, not support for the BJP.
