Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar raised a pointed question on whether the country is truly living in a democratic era or in the democratic era of Indira Gandhi. His remarks came amid protests by Left and Congress-affiliated groups in Kerala over the use of Bharatamba’s picture at events attended by the Governor. The Governor posed this question while releasing the book ‘As the Emergency Nears Fifty Years of Democratic Slaughter’ authored by KB Surendran and published by Kurukshetra Prakashan, at the Senate Hall of Kerala University. The CPI(M)’s student wing, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and the Congress’s Kerala Students Union (KSU) attempted to create a disturbance during the programme, which was organised by the Padmanabha Seva Samithi.
Kerala: Governor Arlekar defies left protests, honours Bharathamba at Kerala university amid SFI-KSU chaos & threat
By: Vishnu Aravind#Kerala @rajendraarlekar @KeralaGovernor https://t.co/cpO51g4X0V
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) June 26, 2025
Responding to the protests, the Governor said he could not understand the reason for the opposition to the use of Bharatamba’s image. Governor Rajendra Arlekar said that when he came, he had made it clear there would be no confrontation, but that did not mean he would give in to the protests. He stated there was no one to target and asserted that such an Emergency would not be allowed. He clarified that he was not against anyone’s ideals but had his own beliefs.The Governor questioned whether barring him from entering a programme hall could be called democracy. “Are we really living in a democratic era or the democratic era of Indira Gandhi? Do we not have tolerance? We have to be tolerant,” he asked. Arlekar described the Emergency as a wound inflicted on democracy 50 years ago and called it a black chapter in India’s democratic history. He reminded the audience that democracy was earned through the struggle of the Indian people and said that no one wants to remember the Emergency era.
SFI and KSU activists protested and attempted to block the entry of Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as he arrived for an event at the University Senate Hall in Thiruvananthapuram, an event that had a picture of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag.
📸: @nirmalharindran pic.twitter.com/vWekAQKqdI
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Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar shared that both he and his father had been jailed during the Emergency, calling it Indira Gandhi’s cruelty and an attempt to retain her position as Prime Minister until death. He said Indira Gandhi was disqualified due to corruption and viewed Jana Sangh workers as a threat, leading to their mass imprisonment. He added that Jayaprakash Narayan had believed only the Jana Sangh and RSS could save the nation from the Emergency, recognising the RSS as true nationalists.
Following the installation of Bharatamba’s picture at the Senate Hall for the event, the University of Kerala registrar denied permission, alleging it was a religious symbol. Nevertheless, the Governor attended the event amid strong protests from SFI and KSU. The student activists also demonstrated against the Governor’s participation, which led to clashes. However, the programme proceeded inside the hall without disruption. Despite the protests, the Governor offered flowers to the Bharatamba image and inaugurated the event by lighting a ceremonial lamp. SFI activists remained outside, insisting the Governor would not be allowed to leave the premises.
Hon’ble Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar released the book on ‘Emergency-era Atrocities’ and honoured the freedom fighters of the Emergency period at a function organised by the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi at the Senate Hall, University of Kerala. pic.twitter.com/DNAIVpddZh
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) June 25, 2025
A heavy police presence was deployed after SFI announced that it would block the Governor unless the image was removed. The protests escalated after confirmation of the Governor’s arrival. Once the event concluded, police escorted the Governor through an alternate exit. KSU activists also joined the protests, and scuffles broke out as police tried to remove SFI members. Later, the Governor reached the university headquarters and participated in the programme. Audience led him into the Senate Hall, chanting slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
