Thiruvananthapuram: In a move underscoring the primacy of India's national identity, the Chief Minister has written to the Governor emphasizing that only the national flag and official national symbols should be displayed at state functions organized under the Raj Bhavan’s auspices. The letter, sent following a cabinet resolution, calls on the Governor to issue directions to Raj Bhavan officials to strictly adhere to this protocol.
The cabinet’s communication also references a recent controversy involving Minister V. Sivankutty, who walked out of an official function at Raj Bhavan, prompting the Governor to write to the Chief Minister seeking clarification on the minister’s conduct.
Delving into the historical and constitutional foundations of India’s national symbols, the Chief Minister's letter recounts the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly particularly the discussions surrounding the adoption of the national flag. It includes excerpts from Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech, during which he affirmed that no communal or sectarian considerations influenced the flag's design, which was meant to symbolize unity and inclusiveness.
Reinforcing the sanctity of national emblems, the letter also refers to Sarojini Naidu’s remarks, which clearly stated that displaying any flag or symbol other than the national flag at public or formal gatherings would amount to disrespecting the nation’s symbols.
The cabinet's stance, finalized in its June 25 meeting, conveys a strong message: public events should reflect a unified national identity, free from any alternative or regional symbolism. The Chief Minister’s letter asserts that only the tricolour and other national insignia should be present at government-organized functions, upholding the spirit and values of the Indian Republic.