Kochi, Sept. 26 -- Kerala governor Rajendra Arlekar Thursday took an indirect swipe at the CPI(M) and the LDF government it leads in the state over the latter's recent global Ayyappa event.

The governor was speaking after inaugurating a Navratri event in Kozhikode district on Thursday.

"The people who have been opposing our culture, those who have reservations about guru puja, those criticising Bharat Mata, they all pretend to be Sabarimala devotees. I don't know from where this culture has come. I don't doubt the sanctity of their minds. If you really have that sanctity, those principles and the bhaav, come out openly and tell us," the Governor said during his address.

"This has to be noted. Is this done for political convenience? Bha...