Latest news with #PreventionofInsultstoNationalHonourAct
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Not the BJP's Bharat Mata': CPI to hoist national flags, plant saplings in protest; questions governor
'Not the BJP's Bharat Mata': CPI to hoist national flags, plant saplings in protest; questions governor THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KANNUR: CPI is not ready to leave aside the controversy that erupted over the 'Bharat Mata' portrait at Raj Bhavan. The CPI will hoist the national flag and plant saplings on Saturday to underscore the message that Bharat Mata is truly represented by the tricolour, not the saffron flag. Agriculture minister P Prasad had boycotted the environmental day function at Raj Bhavan on Thursday after governor Rajendra Arlekar rejected the minister's demand that a portrait of Bharat Mata installed on the dais be removed as the portrait is widely used by the RSS. The minister said the agriculture department decided to shift the function to Durbar Hall in the secretariat complex after Raj Bhavan wanted him to offer floral tributes to the portrait. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said in a statement on Friday that at government events and tableaus, portraits featuring Bharat Mata carries the national flag. However, the one used by Raj Bhavan shows a saffron flag and other motifs usually seen at RSS events. 'Who said Bharat Mata rides a lion? Who said Bharat Mata has to hold a saffron flag? India does not know of such Bharat Mata. Jawaharlal Nehru has explained in detail what Bharat Mata means,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade online with TMGM TMGM Sign Up Undo Viswam told reporters in Kannur on Friday that the governor's official residence should not be converted into the camp office of BJP. 'The governor's obstinate stance to use the image at Raj Bhavan as instructed by RSS could not be accepted. Governor should make clear his priority — is it Indian Constitution or RSS?' Viswam said. Viswam said the governor's post is unnecessary in India. 'Presently, the central govt is misusing the governors to control opposition-ruled states. Governors in non-BJP ruled states are illegally holding bills passed by state assembly. The main aim is to resist the development of the states,' he said. Meanwhile, CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Santhosh Kumar wrote to President Droupadi Murmu alleging 'misuse' of gubernatorial authority in the opposition-ruled states. He alleged that the use of Bharat Mata image 'potentially contravened' the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, 'by misusing national symbols for political or sectarian purposes'. On Saturday, all branches of the CPI will hoist the national flag and plant saplings to underscore the message that Bharatamba is truly represented by the tricolour. The saplings will be nurtured by the party branches as symbols of national unity, Viswam said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI MP writes to President alleging misuse of Governor's office in Opposition-ruled States
Communist Party of India (CPI) Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala P. Sandosh Kumar on Friday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu alleging 'misuse' of gubernatorial authority in the Opposition-ruled States. Mentioning a recent incident in Kerala where a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' was used in an event at Raj Bhavan, leading to a boycott of the function by a State Minister, Mr. Kumar expressed serious concern over the 'continued misuse of gubernatorial authority in the Opposition-ruled States.' Mr. Kumar said it was most recently reflected in the conduct of the Kerala Governor during the Environment Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan, where a 'particular version of the Bharat Mata image' was displayed without consulting the State government. 'The arbitrary imposition of a particular version of the Bharat Mata image – without consultation with the elected government – forced Agriculture Minister P. Prasad to boycott the event,' Mr. Kumar said. Claiming that it was not an isolated episode, the CPI leader said, 'We are witnessing a pattern where Governors in States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu repeatedly act as political agents, converting Raj Bhavans into ideological outposts of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), disregarding constitutional norms, federal principles and the mandate of democratically elected governments.' He alleged that the Kerala incident also 'potentially contravened' the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, 'by misusing national symbols for political or sectarian purposes'. 'Reimagined symbols' 'The Bharat Mata image, originally envisioned by Abanindranath Tagore during the Swadeshi movement as a unifying emblem of anti-colonial resistance, has in recent years been altered and weaponised by an organisation notorious for its divisive politics. It is unacceptable that such reimagined and controversial symbols are now being forced upon official functions and public institutions, further polarising our society,' Mr. Kumar alleged. The CPI leader urged the President to 'take serious note of this trend and take immediate steps to ensure that Governors do not overstep their constitutional mandate'.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
CPI MP urges President to recall Kerala Governor over 'unconstitutional conduct'
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar on Friday urged President Droupadi Murmu to recall Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, accusing him of 'unconstitutional conduct' over the display of a perticular version of the Bharat Mata image without consulting the state government. In a letter addressed to the President, Kumar expressed grave concern over the Governor's unilateral decision to display a particular version of the Bharat Mata image during the Environment Day event at the Raj Bhavan in Kerala without any consultation with the elected state government. 'This imposition compelled the State Agriculture Minister P. Prasad to boycott the function, exposing yet again the partisan role being played by Governors in non-BJP ruled states,' Kumar said. 'This is not an isolated case. Governors in several states are increasingly behaving like political agents of the BJP-RSS, openly defying the constitutional framework that demands neutrality, restraint, and respect for elected governments,' said Shri P. Sandosh Kumar. He added that the symbolic manipulation of Bharat Mata-a historically secular and anti-colonial figure- into a sectarian and ideological emblem is a dangerous distortion that cannot be accepted in state functions or constitutional offices. 'They also potentially contravene the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, by misusing national symbols for political or sectarian purposes. The Bharat Mata image, originally envisioned by Abanindranath Tagore during the Swadeshi Movement as a unifying emblem of anti-colonial resistance, has in recent years been altered and weaponised by an organisation notorious for its divisive politics,' Sandosh Kumar said. 'At a time when cooperative federalism should be the guiding principle of Centre-State relations, such provocations by Governors erode public trust and tarnish the office they occupy,' he said. He concluded by calling for urgent intervention from the President. 'I urge you to take serious note of this trend and take immediate steps to ensure that Governors do not overstep their constitutional mandate. The Governor of Kerala Rajendra Arlekar, by acting in an openly partisan and unconstitutional manner, has diminished the dignity of the office and should be recalled. The Raj Bhavans must remain neutral, constitutional spaces--not ideological shakhas. I hope this matter will find your much necessary intervention,' Kumar said. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CPI MP writes to president alleging misuse of governor's office in opposition-ruled states
New Delhi, CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar on Friday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu alleging "misuse' of gubernatorial authority in the opposition-ruled states. Mentioning a recent incident in Kerala where a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' was used at an event at the Raj Bhavan, leading to a boycott of the function by a state minister, Kumar expressed serious concern over the "continued misuse of gubernatorial authority in the opposition-ruled states". Kumar said it was most recently reflected in the conduct of the Kerala governor during the Environment Day celebrations at the Raj Bhavan, where a "particular version of the Bharat Mata image" was displayed without consulting the state government. "The arbitrary imposition of a particular version of the Bharat Mata image – without consultation with the elected government – forced Agriculture Minister P Prasad to boycott the event," Kumar said. Claiming that it was not an isolated episode, the CPI leader said, 'We are witnessing a pattern where governors in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu repeatedly act as political agents, converting Raj Bhavans into ideological outposts of the RSS, disregarding constitutional norms, federal principles and the mandate of democratically elected governments.' He alleged that the Kerala incident also "potentially contravened" the Emblems and Names Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, "by misusing national symbols for political or sectarian purposes". "The Bharat Mata image, originally envisioned by Abanindranath Tagore during the Swadeshi movement as a unifying emblem of anti-colonial resistance, has in recent years been altered and weaponised by an organisation notorious for its divisive politics. 'It is unacceptable that such reimagined and controversial symbols are now being forced upon official functions and public institutions, further polarising our society," Kumar alleged. The CPI leader urged the president to "take serious note of this trend and take immediate steps to ensure that governors do not overstep their constitutional mandate". The presence of a Bharat Mata portrait, allegedly associated with RSS 'shakhas', at a World Environment Day event at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday led to the state government boycotting the programme. Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad, who boycotted the event, said while the state government respects Bharat Mata, using an image commonly associated with RSS 'shakhas' for an official function at the Raj Bhavan was 'unconstitutional'. In a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said, "Whatever be the pressure from whichever quarters, there will be no compromise whatsoever on Bharat Mata."
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
K'taka BJP MLA slams Congress for accusing him of disrespecting Tricolour
Bengaluru: BJP MLA C. K. Ramamurthy on Saturday slammed Congress for accusing him of disrespecting the National Flag at an event and trying to create controversy. He further urged the Congress should learn some sense at least now and stop spreading false news about him. Speaking to the media, Ramamurthy criticised the Congress, saying, "Out of frustration over the defeat of one of their former local MLAs, the Congress is portraying as if I have committed a mistake that I never did." "In Jayanagar's 9th Block, a prayer was held at a temple by Kannada cultural organisations for the success of the Indian Army's operation. During this event, sweets were also distributed. A video from the event, where a third person standing beside me is seen wiping his hand on the National Flag, has been circulated by the Congress on social media. The Congress is falsely claiming that I disrespected the national flag, which is condemnable," he objected. He clarified, "An FIR has already been registered at Tilaknagar Police Station against the individual who disrespected the flag, not against me. Despite this, the Congress is agitating to have me arrested. This clearly shows who the real anti-nationals are - it reveals the culture and nature of the Congress party." Ramamurthy said, "The BJP had not organised the event in Jaynagar. Local pro-Kannada organisations had invited me. As an MLA, attending such a programme was my duty. However, I am deeply hurt." Karnataka Congress on May 8 alleged that Ramamurthy and BJP leaders insulted the National Flag by using it as a handkerchief during the sweet distribution event in Jayanagar, Bengaluru. "Fake patriotic BJP members have never accepted the National Flag and the Constitution of India. RSS and BJP cannot even accept the national flag that proclaims equality, unity and integrity. The Punishment for such offences can include imprisonment for up to three years, or fine, or both under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971," the Congress said in a post on social media. The party has also put up a 26-second duration video in this regard and given the title, 'Insult to the National Flag by BJP'.
