Vice-Chancellors direct colleges to mark ‘Partition Horror Day'; Kerala University pulls back amid mounting opposition
The colleges were directed to organise programmes, including seminars, plays and poster-making to mark the occasion.
However, Kerala University unexpectedly issued a revised circular on Tuesday, advising colleges to restraint in conducting such events. The new circular, issued by the Director in-charge of College Development Council (CDC), clarified that the original instruction had been disseminated 'as per the communication received from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor'.
It further stated: 'Colleges have raised several concerns about the policy decision required in this regard over phone and email. They also pointed out that the Chief Minister of Kerala had openly declared the policy of Government of Kerala regarding commemoration of Partition Horror Day.'
Allegedly issued without approval by Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal, the revised circular concludes that any further step should only be taken 'with the consent of appropriate authorities'.
Shortly after its release, the Professor who held additional charge of the Director of CDC reportedly stepped down from the position.
Both the Students Federation of India and the Kerala Students Union have vowed to block any event organised in connection with the observance. The SFI will also organise symbolic protests against Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who also serves as the Chancellor of State-run universities, and the Vice-Chancellors of Kerala and Kannur Universities on Wednesday.
The State government too reiterated its disapproval of the Raj Bhavan directive. Addressing a press conference in Thrissur, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu described the Governor's directive as part of a 'divisive and communal agenda' orchestrated by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
The move, she added, threatens the secular fabric of the country and is intended to foster communal hatred under the guise of remembrance. 'It is an attempt to inject destructive and sectarian ideologies into campuses and create divisions among students.'
Urging the academic community to resist such attempts, the Minister added that certain officials, acting as 'the agents of the Chancellor', might try to enforce this directive in universities.
Save University Campaign Committee, a vociferous critic of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, too called to refrain from commemorating the occasion, considering the risks associated with such programmes that could lead to divisions among the student community.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
39 minutes ago
- The Hindu
SC observations vindicate State's stand on V-C appointments: Bindu
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu has said that the Supreme Court's observations on Vice-Chancellor (V-C) appointments affirm the State government's position that all authorities must act within the bounds of the law. The Minister, while addressing media persons here on Wednesday, said the apex court's remarks have clearly upheld the constitutional role and authority of the State government in the process. 'The Supreme Court has explicitly referenced key statutory provisions, including Section 13(7) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act and Section 11(10) of Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Act, which mandate that V-C appointments must be made in consultation with or on the recommendation of the State government. Despite the courts having pointed this out repeatedly, those in charge have challenged the framework and acted unilaterally,' she said, taking a swipe at Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Dr. Bindu, however, declined to comment on the State's response to the Supreme Court's directive to submit names for the search-cum-selection committee that will be tasked with recommending candidates for the V-C posts at the two universities. She maintained that the move is not an interim verdict, but rather a procedural step, and that the final ruling is yet to come. The government will present its views before the court when the case is taken up for hearing on Thursday, the Minister added.
The Hindu
39 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Institutions advised against observing Partition horror day
The Kerala government has informed universities and affiliated colleges that observing 'Partition horror day' on Thursday, as directed by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, was not mandatory. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu told mediapersons on Wednesday that official instructions have been issued through the Directorate of Collegiate Education and the Directorate of Technical Education. Raj Bhavan had issued a directive asking all universities to observe the day, which falls on August 14, the eve of Independence Day. However, the Minister said the State government does not support conducting such programmes on university campuses. 'It is the view of the Kerala government that such programmes need not be conducted on our campuses. Such events run the risk of being transformed into platforms for religious hatred and social division, which contradict the principles upheld by the State's educational policy,' Dr. Bindu said. Independence Day is marked in Kerala every year with the focus on positive values to celebrate the unmatched contributions of freedom fighters and the inclusive ideals enshrined in the Constitution. 'To suddenly introduce a programme under the label of 'partition horrors' would inevitably lead to communal polarisation,' the Minister cautioned. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan reiterated his strong criticism of the Governor's directive, calling it a serious mistake and part of a larger agenda by the Sangh Parivar to divide the nation. He accused the Governor of attempting to implement a divisive agenda in line with the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. 'They have now introduced a new tool, the fear of partition, to create communal divides among the people. The BJP's earlier attempts to pit Christian and Muslim communities against each other have already been exposed. When that failed, they came out with this new narrative,' the Congress leader alleged. Meanwhile, the Students Federation of India (SFI) held demonstrations across the State against the efforts to observe the 'Partition horror day.' The effigies of both the Governor and the Vice-Chancellor were burnt on the Kerala University campus. The BJP-backed Syndicate members condemned the incident.
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala govt opposes governor's directive to observe August 14 as 'Partition Horror Day'
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will issue instructions to colleges not to implement Governor Rajendra Arlekar's directive to observe August 14 as 'Partition Horror Day'. Higher Education Minister R Bindu told reporters on Wednesday that the state government's position is that campuses in Kerala need not observe the day on the eve of Independence Day, as doing so could lead to 'communal polarisation.' The Minister stated that she has instructed the Director of Collegiate Education and the Director of Technical Education, both under the Higher Education Department, to convey the government's stance to all colleges under their respective jurisdictions. A circular issued by the Raj Bhavan last week had directed universities to organise seminars and commemorative events, including street plays and dramas, highlighting the 'trauma' of India's Partition. Vice-Chancellors were also asked to submit action plans for the observance.
