Kerala Governor’s order to observe ‘Partition horror day’ is latest flashpoint with state govt

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.