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Indian Express
6 days 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.
Indian Express
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kerala Governor's order to observe ‘Partition horror day' is latest flashpoint with state govt
Taking a cue from a 2022 UGC circular, Kerala Governor Rajendran Vishwanath Arlekar has asked all universities in the state to observe August 14 as 'Partition horror day''. Taking strong exception to the Governor's circular to the V-Cs, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said 'the directive to the universities is unconstitutional and unacceptable. Kerala will never allow its campuses to be turned into stages for the Sangh Parivar divisive agenda.'' Governor is the ex-officio Chancellor of all the universities in the state. The circular issued to the V-Cs from the Raj Bhavan, said August 14 has been declared as 'Partition horror day'. 'The universities can organise seminars to commemorate the occasion. They can prepare dramas on this which can be done by going to the people and showing how terrible the Partition was,' said the circular. The UGC in 2022 had issued to all colleges and universities to hold an exhibition on August 14 following an announcement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021. Institutions were asked to display the exhibition at public places on the day in such a manner to ensure maximum participation from the public. It was meant to reminisce the suffering people had faced during the Partition. Many other states in the country have been observing August 14 as the Partition day. However, Left-ruled Kerala had not so far complied with the directive in the state. Reacting to the directive, Vijayan, on his X handle said, 'August 15 is a reminder of India's anti-imperialist struggle and brutalities unleashed by the British to suppress it. The Sangh Parivar, which had no role in the freedom movement and served the British raj, now seeks to undermine Independence Day by promoting a divisive agenda. The Governor's directive to universities to observe August 14 as partition horror day is unconstitutional and unacceptable,'' he said.
