Bharatamba picture: Guv's stand untenable

The controversy over the use of the Bharatamba image —a garlanded portrait of Mother India standing in front of a lion and holding a saffron flag—is turning into a confrontation between Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and the state government. The controversy started some days ago when paying floral tributes to the Bharatamba image was part of a function attended by a state minister. The minister walked away stating that he would not attend an official function in which the image, associated with the RSS, was worshipped. Later, another minister boycotted a Raj Bhavan function where the image was displayed. The minister strongly criticised the Governor for displaying a ‘’religious image’’ at an official function. The Governor charged the minister with violation of protocol. The matter has escalated since then, with the Governor insisting on the use of the image and protests being staged by students organisations of the CPM and the Congress. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to the Governor that the Constitution allowed only the use of national symbols at official functions. 

Arlekar has said that Bharatamba represents an ideal and is the symbol of a unified Mother India and should be treated on a par with other national symbols. While there are several representations of Mother India, the particular image used in Raj Bhavan and endorsed and championed by Arlekar is associated with the RSS. Its use has political connotations, and it is wrong to use it at an official function. The Governor’s position is above politics and Raj Bhavan should not be the venue for display of politically partisan images and symbols. The political and personal convictions of Arlekar, who has an RSS background, should not guide his conduct as the Governor. The Bharatamba image which the Governor is adamant on using is not a recognised national symbol. If Governors and those who hold other Constitutional offices use symbols of their choice and claim that their use is valid, legal and legitimate, it will lead to chaos and conflict. The image being used by Arlekar is a Hindu version of the idea of Mother India and it has no place in a secular venue. 

Arlekar’s predecessor Arif Mohammad Khan was at war with the state government for much of his tenure. He had consciously tried to create problems for the government and obstructed governance with his conduct and decisions. The government had moved the Supreme Court against the Governor withholding assent to bills passed by the Assembly. It is unfortunate if Arlekar also chooses the path of confrontation with the government on wrong and unconvincing grounds.