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Degradation of our cultural ethos: Governor Arlekar links opposition over Bharat Mata image at Kerala HC event

KOCHI: The inclusion of a Bharat Mata image at a National Law Day programme held on the Kerala High Court premises has triggered strong protests from the All India Lawyers Union (AILU), even as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who attended the event, reignited the debate by alleging that resistance to the symbol reflects a form of modern untouchability and a degradation of Indias cultural ethos. The Sangh Parivar organised the programme, affiliated Bharatheeya Abhibhashaka Parishad and attended by the Governor on Tuesday. AILU, Kerala High Court Committee, alleged that the display of the image on the court premises amounted to a serious challenge to constitutional values and an attempt to saffronise even the premises of the higher judiciary. In a statement, AILU state secretary Adv. C M Nazer said using the High Court venue for such symbolic displays, especially in the presence of a Governor who political opponents have earlier accused of endorsing hardline Hindutva position, was deplorable and unacceptable. He said the incident sends a dangerous message to the public and risks eroding confidence in the judiciarys secular character. Using the High Court platform to promote divisive imagery is a direct affront to the Constitution. It shows that attempts at saffronisation spare no institution, not even the higher judiciary, the statement said. The lawyers body, calling the development deeply disturbing, demanded an urgent inquiry into how the image was displayed and strict action against those responsible. AILU has submitted its protest to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, seeking immediate intervention to safeguard the neutrality and dignity of judicial institutions. Addressing the gathering on Cultural Nationalism in Indian Constitution, Governor Arlekar linked the ongoing controversy to what he described as a wider cultural disconnect. Weve reached such an extent now that even Bharat Mata is considered as untouchable. Many dont attend the programmes because of Bharat Mata, he said. He attributed this mindset to a disruption in our education system allegedly caused by colonial influence. The dispute is rooted in the continuing public spat between the Governor and the state government. The administration had earlier objected to a specific Bharat Mata portrait used at Raj Bhavan events, which features a lion and a saffron flag. Ministers have argued that this particular depiction is not a secular national symbol but allegedly reflects a political and religious ideology associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), prompting them to boycott official functions. Defending the symbol, Arlekar recounted an instance at Raj Bhavan, When Bharat Matas portrait was kept there, somebody came there and asked, Whos this lady... this is the degradation of our cultural ethos. He also linked the sentiment to the national pledge: During my childhood, I was perplexed as to how everyone is my brother and sister. I asked my teacher, but couldnt get a satisfactory answer. But afterwards, I came to know why... because we have one mother, that is Bharat Mata. If we dont celebrate Bharat Mata, what will we celebrate? The Governor further dismissed multiculturalism as western thinking, insisting that India has a single, unified Indian culture or Bharatiya culture. He said, The rainbow has different shades, but its still one rainbow. So also, our culture is one though there may be different shades... our diversity is not the cause of our differences, in fact its the cause of our being united. Calling for a cultural reawakening, he added, Nationalism is nothing but saving our culture, stressing the need to abandon colonial thought to restore national pride.