ABVP, Yuva Morcha protests against me on Raj Bhavan instructions: Kerala Minister Sivankutty

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday claimed that the protests by the BJP's youth and student groups against him, over the 'Bharat Mata' controversy, were aimed at causing riots in the state and were allegedly carried out on instructions of the Raj Bhavan. 

Sivankutty told reporters that he has been attacked and his travels obstructed during the last couple of days after he walked out of a programme at the Raj Bhavan where a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' -- as seen in RSS events -- was displayed. He said that as a minister, MLA and a citizen, he has the right to protest against the actions of the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and that is what he did.

"The Governor has said that he will continue with it (the portrait) and we have not responded to that," he added. Subsequently, the BJP youth wing Yuva Morcha and student organisation -- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) -- attacked him and obstructed his vehicle at various places in the state during the last two day, the minister claimed.

Meanwhile, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in an interview given to BJP mouthpiece Janmabhumi, said that the concept of 'Bharat Mata' became more clear to him when he was jailed during the emergency period in the country. He said that during that time he saw the concept of Bharat Mata as being above ideology and politics. "I got a strong urge to work more for Bharat Mata. The inspiration to become a 'sangh pracharak' also became stronger during that time," he said in the interview. 

Sivankutty, during his press conference in the morning, also alleged that at one such protest, ABVP activists tore apart the national flag, a claim reportedly denied by the student organisation. The minister also alleged that the protests and attacks against him were being carried out on the instructions of the Raj Bhavan, "but they were unable to gather enough youth for the same".

He said that the protests against him by the two organisations were carried out by a handful of youngsters who acted as "suicide squads" and jumped in front of his moving vehicle. ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists had waved black flags at the minister's vehicle in Kozhikode on Saturday and also burned his effigy in protest against his walkout from the Raj Bhavan event. 

Sivankutty said that ABVP and Yuva Morcha should realise that showing support to the Governor, who is allegedly acting contrary to the Constitution, will turn people against them. The minister also claimed that two hardcore RSS activists in the Raj Bhavan were advising the Governor to act in this manner. He said that he will not name them, but everyone knows them very well.

The southern state has been witnessing a tussle between Arlekar and the Marxist party-led LDF government over the display of 'Bharat Mata portrait' during official events at the Raj Bhavan here.