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A political row has erupted in Kerala after the state government boycotted an event at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, objecting to a on display there, The Indian Express reported.

The state government claimed that the Bharat Mata portrait at the central hall of the governor’s residence was “one that is used by RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]”.

Bharat Mata is a personification of India as a mother goddess. The iconography is widely used by Hindu nationalists, and is frequently criticised for propagating a Hindu-centric image of nationhood.

The incident took place during an event organised by the state agriculture department for World Environment Day at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the chief guest, according to The Indian Express.

During a review of the preparations for the event, government officials noticed that a picture of the Bharat Mata displayed at the central hall of the governor’s residence was similar to the one used by the RSS.

Subsequently, Communist Party of India leader and state Agriculture Minister P Prasad was notified about the image and event was moved to the darbar hall of the state secretariat, The Indian Express reported. The Communist Party of India is part of the state’s ruling Left Democratic Front.

“The picture of Bharat Mata displayed...