Exercising his authority as the chancellor of the state’s universities, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has directed the state-run universities to observe ‘Partition Horror Day’ on August 14. It has reignited the long-running feud between the Raj Bhavan and the LDF government
An official email from the Raj Bhavan last week instructed universities to organise seminars and commemorative events, including street plays and dramas highlighting “the trauma of India’s partition”. It has been reported that the governor’s directive is in accordance with the Central government’s initiative launched in 2021, when Prime .Minister Narendra Modi declared August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
“I am directed to inform that August 14 has been declared as ‘Partition Horror Day’. The universities can organise seminars to commemorate this occasion. They can prepare dramas on this, which can be done by going to the people and showing how terrible the partition was,” says the directive from the additional secretary to the Governor.
The directive, reportedly based on guidelines from the Union Home Ministry, has sparked a political storm in Kerala
State General Education Minister V Sivankutty and Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan have openly questioned the legitimacy of the circular, accusing Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar of operating a ‘parallel governance system’. They argue that such decisions require the consent of the state’s Council of Ministers, respecting the limited powers assigned to the Governor by law.
“I do not understand under what authority he has issued such an invitation. He does not have such powers. The Governor’s powers are limited, and this is not something that can be connected to day-to-day administration, as courts and experts in the field have already made clear,” General Education Minister Sivankutty said
Calling the Governor’s action “unconstitutional”, senior Congress leader and Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan asked under what authority the Governor had given instructions to university vice-chancellors to observe a “Partition Horror Day.”
“It is unconstitutional for the Governor to make decisions and act parallel to the state government. By doing this, Vishwanath Arlekar, holding a constitutional post, is openly telling Kerala that he still represents the divisive politics of the RSS. The Governor’s action is unconstitutional,” Satheesan said.
He also urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state government to break their silence on the Governor’s “misguided actions” and to make their stance clear.
Those who support the Governor’s move argue that Partition Horrors Remembrance Day offers an opportunity for students to engage with a defining chapter of history, fostering empathy and awareness beyond regional boundaries. Those who oppose the move, points out that it shows BJP’s emphasis on partition narratives as part of its broader ideological agenda based on communalism.
The controversy over the display of a saffron-flagged portrait of Bharatamba at an event attended by the Governor in the Senate Hall has not ended yet. The war between the Governor and the government, which began after the Registrar revoked permission for the display of the portrait at an event of a pro-RSS organization, citing that it was a violation of university regulations, escalated into a major conflict.