CPI poster featuring ‘Bharat Mata’ causes flutter in Kottayam

Amidst the ongoing national debate over the symbolism of Bharat Mata, a local unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Kottayam has created a flutter by releasing a party poster featuring an image of ‘‘Bharat Mata,’’ albeit in a different avatar.

The poster, created for the CPI Kottayam mandalam committee conference from June 13 to 15, depicted ‘‘Bharat Mata’’ clad in a tricolour sari holding the national flag. Circulated among party members through chat groups, the image quickly drew attention before it was withdrawn just hours later, following instructions from the party’s district leadership.

CPI Kottayam district secretary V. B. Binu clarified the party’s stance, stating that the moment the poster came to their notice, a directive was issued to take it down from all social media platforms to prevent any unnecessary controversy.

“It is not appropriate to associate the national flag with party programmes or symbols,” Mr. Binu said, adding that the inclusion of the image was neither a party decision nor connected to the ongoing debate surrounding the saffron flag or Bharat Mata iconography. “The party’s State council has already clearly outlined our position on such matters,” he added.