Sat Jun 28 15:57:27 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Kerala Chief Minister Defends Minister’s Walkout Over ‘Saffron Bharat Mata’ Image**
**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, June 28, 2025** – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued a strong defense of General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, who walked out of a Raj Bhavan event on June 19th in protest against the display of an image depicting Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag.
In a letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Vijayan stated that Minister Sivankutty “did nothing wrong” and had no intention of disrespecting the Governor. Vijayan argued that the Minister was acting in accordance with his oath of office under the Constitution by objecting to the display of a flag and symbol not mandated by the Constitution at an official function.
The incident occurred during the award distribution ceremony for the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides Rajya Puraskar. Raj Bhavan had previously condemned the Minister’s actions as a “gross violation of protocol and a grave insult to the office of the Governor.”
The Chief Minister’s letter emphasized that only national symbols and flags mandated by the Constitution should be displayed at official functions at Raj Bhavan. This incident follows a similar protest earlier in June, when Agriculture Minister P. Prasad skipped the World Environment Day celebrations at Raj Bhavan due to the display of the Bharat Matha motif. The State Cabinet has also previously raised concerns with the Governor regarding protocols for official functions at Raj Bhavan.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the state government and the Governor’s office regarding the appropriate display of symbols at official events.
First Piper 