Governor, high idea, undesired controversy

• The Governor of Kerala has a controversy over a painting of ‘Bharat Mata’ (Mother India), a symbol of freedom fighters.

• The painting, depicting a female figure in a saffron sari, is placed in a room where official functions are held at Raj Bhavan.

• The Chief Minister and other Ministers have raised objections that the picture is not recognized by the Constitution or any law, unlike the national anthem, flag, or other national symbols.

• The government has stated it will not participate in any official function where the picture is displayed.

• The issue is not whether Indians should pay obeisance to the image of Bharat Mata, but whether the Governor has and uses it at the venue of official functions.

• The Governor is expected to conduct himself in accordance with the Constitution, and cannot take independent decisions in the performance of his duties and functions.

• The concept of Bharat Mata was first created by Bengali novelist, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, but the mother symbol he created was Banga Mata (Mother of Bengal).

• The display of such a picture is a throwback to 19th-century nationalism which has no relevance in modern times.

• The controversy between the Governor and the State government is unseemly and sours the relationship between the Governor and the elected government.

• The Governor is bound by the advice of the government on the placement of photographs, portraits, and performing various actions in an official function.

• The government has the constitutional right to advise the Governor not to place the picture of Bharat Mata at venues used to conduct official meetings on the ground that such a picture has not been recognised by the Constitution or statutes.