The walk out staged by the State Minister for Education & Labour, Shri V. Sivankutty, from the dais this morning while the Hon'ble Governor was present, is a gross violation of protocol and a grave insult to the office of the Governor.

Hon'ble Governor, is the constitutional head of the state. The Minister is sworn in by the Governor declaring allegiance to the Constitution, has by this public display of misconduct, openly insulted the Governor personally besides the office of the Governor. The Minister did not even bother to inform the Governor about his abrupt exit. As per protocol, even anyone amongst the audience, leave alone those sharing the dais with the Governor is barred from leaving until and unless the Hon'ble Governor leaves the venue.

Unfortunately, the Minister who handles the Education portfolio has set an unprecedentedly wrong precedent by his misconduct. Significantly, the Minister has come with a prepared speech which he chose to read out - a clear indication of his preparedness for an impending showdown. It is a pity that the Education minister of the state admitted to the audience that the portrait of Bharatamba is not familiar to him.

Disturbingly the 'performance' of the Minister was right in front of the disciplined Scouts and Guides who had come to receive the awards from the Minister and the Governor. Thereby, the Minister has insulted the students as well, apart from setting a wrong model before the students.

Rajbhavan views today's developments with utmost concern.