Latest news with #PartitionHorrorDay
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Lukewarm response to ‘Partition Horror Day' in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Arlekar's direction to observe 'Partition Horror Day' on the eve of Independence Day, on Thursday, evoked a lukewarm response from most of the higher educational institutions across the state, with clashes reported from a few campuses. Barring a couple of state universities, most of the varsities too gave the 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' a miss. In Kerala University, a seminar on the theme of partition was held by the Centre for Vedanta Studies and a seminar to observe the day was held online at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) as per the direction of Vice Chancellor Junaid Bushiri. Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the universities and colleges rejected outright the call to observe 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' when the country was rejoicing in the spirit of independence. 'Upholding the highest values of humanity, our youth have once again proclaimed loudly that the campuses in the state are places of secularism and brotherhood,' Bindu told reporters in Thrissur. Meanwhile, the pro-right-wing student outfit, ABVP, observed the day on a few campuses, leading to clashes. Government College, Kasaragod, witnessed clashes between ABVP and SFI activists after the latter tore up a poster put up in solidarity with the event by ABVP workers. The ABVP workers were also confronted by MSF workers after the posters were pasted again. The police intervened to prevent further clashes. 'The real stories of partition are being obscured by the Congress and the communist parties to satisfy their vested motives and appeasement politics,' ABVP state secretary E U Eswaraprasad said.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kerala Governor wanted state universities to mark ‘Partition Horror Day'. Not many did
Kerala Governor Rajendran Vishwanath Arlekar's directive to observe August 14 as 'Partition Horror Day' saw few events and minimal participation in universities in the state. Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) observed the day with an online seminar, while the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised programmes in several colleges in the state. Taking a cue from the University Grants Commission (UGC) directive of 2022, the Governor had directed the vice chancellors of all universities in Kerala to organise seminars and cultural programmes to commemorate the occasion. The directive had evoked a sharp reaction from the CPI(M)-led state government, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying it was unconstitutional and unacceptable. Subsequently, the government told higher education institutions that observing 'Partition Horror Day' was not mandatory. Higher Education Minister Dr R Bindu told the media on Thursday that universities and the academic community had rejected the Governor's directive. 'When the higher education sector is making major strides, divisive forces should not be encouraged. Our youths have once again proved that the campuses in Kerala are centres of secularism and humanity,' she said. At the same time, ABVP observed the day in several colleges. In some colleges, they faced protests from rival student organisations, such as the CPI(M)-affiliated Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Congress's Kerala Students' Union (KSU). Various district committees of the BJP also observed the day with rallies.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Online seminar held at Cusat to mark ‘Partition Horror Day'
An online seminar was held at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) to observe 'Partition Horror Day' on Thursday (August 14, 2025), in keeping with Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar's directive to that effect to State-run universities earlier this week. G. Gopakumar, former Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, was the speaker. Cusat V-C M. Junaid Bushiri attended. The Kerala government had informed universities and affiliated colleges that observing 'Partition Horror Day' was not mandatory. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu had told media persons on Wednesday that official instructions had been issued through the Directorate of Collegiate Education and the Directorate of Technical Education in this regard. 'The very fact that it was organised surreptitiously shows the organisers knew the event was unacceptable to society and would have invited stiff opposition,' said P.S. Sanjeev, State secretary, Students Federation of India.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala government asks colleges to ignore governor's ‘Partition Horror Day' directive
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Signalling another showdown with Governor Rajendra Arlekar, the state government has instructed colleges not to implement the Raj Bhavan's directive to observe 'Partition Horror Day' on August 14. Higher Education Minister R Bindu told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday that the state government was against observance of 'Partition Horror Day' on campuses across the state on the eve of Independence Day as it would lead to 'communal polarisation'. Bindu said the government has instructed the Director of Collegiate Education and the Director of Technical Education under the Higher Education department to convey the government's decision to colleges under their respective jurisdiction. In a circular issued by the Raj Bhavan last week, universities were asked to organise seminars and commemorative events, including street plays and dramas that highlight the 'trauma' of India's partition. It directed V-Cs to submit action plans for the observance. The government's intervention came after a few universities, such as APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, issued directions to its affiliated colleges to conduct the programmes as directed by the governor. Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan sources chose not to react to the government's directive. 'We have never mentioned that the observance of the event is compulsory,' said a source. However, the Raj Bhavan had sent a reminder to the V-Cs about the programme. 'It was a directive by MHA, not guv's call' Sources close to Raj Bhavan termed as malicious the attempts to portray the directive as a decision taken by the governor. 'Based on a directive by the Union Home Minister, the governor -- who is also the chancellor of universities -- had on July 11 asked VCs to observe 'Partition Horror Day' on August 14. It was a directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and not a decision taken by the governor,' sources said.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
