Kerala Governor wanted state universities to mark ‘Partition Horror Day’. Not many did
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the directive unconstitutional and unacceptable and his govt told higher education institutions it was not mandatory.
2 min read
Kerala Governor Rajendran Vishwanath ArlekarKerala 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.
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