Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Education in Kerala, V Sivankutty, said that the state governor, Rajendra Arlekar, should remind that India’s nationalism is based on the Constitution, and it is essential to ensure that it is not based on a single cultural image but on the inclusive and democratic vision enshrined in the Constitution.
He also asked the Governor to clarify whether the Sangh Parivar's Bharatamba concept recognizes the borders of our country.
He said that calling the image of a woman carrying a saffron flag the sole symbol of Indian patriotism ignores the mentioned basic reality. The idea of India does not exist in myths or imagination but in the sovereignty of the people, the rule of law, and the constitutional guarantees of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, the minister said. He pointed out that suggesting that patriotism should be viewed only through a single cultural perspective is not only simplistic but also undermines the rich history of India’s freedom struggle. The Governor should remember that patriotism in India means upholding constitutional values, protecting the dignity of every citizen, and preserving the diversity that defines the people of India, Minister V Sivankutty said.
Sivankutty had boycotted the Scout and Guides program held in front of a controversial RSS propagated picture of a woman in goddess’s attire, holding the saffron colour flag of Sangh Parivar, at Raj Bhavan as part of the protest. The program was held at Raj Bhavan under the leadership of the Department of General Education. During the program, lamps were lit in front of the picture. Minister boycotted the programme, protesting the RSS propaganda picture at a government event.
This is not the first time the Kerala government, precisely Minister Sivankutty, boycotted a government event organized in Raj Bhavan. Weeks ago, he left a similar event because of the same problematic picture that was exhibited at the venue.