Kerala Governor’s directive on ‘Partition Horror Day’ sparks political controversy

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has reignited controversy by directing State-run universities to observe ‘Partition Horror Day’ on August 14.

An official email from Kerala Raj Bhavan last week instructed universities to organise seminars and commemorative events, including street plays and dramas highlighting “the trauma of India’s partition.”

“They (the universities) can prepare dramas on this, which can be done by going to people and showing how terrible the partition was,” the message said.

The circular also directed Vice-Chancellors to submit action plans for the observation.

The directive echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call made four years ago to observe August 14 as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’. However, this marks the first time universities in Kerala have received formal instructions to mark the occasion.

Notably, the move comes just months after a similar Raj Bhavan directive asking universities to observe the anniversary of the Emergency on June 25 as ‘Constitution Assassination Day’ had drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.

‘Governor running parallel administration’

Although the Vice-Chancellors are yet to comment publicly on the issue, the State government has reacted strongly.

General Education Minister V. Sivankutty accused the Governor of attempting to run a parallel administration.

“The Governor has no constitutional power to instruct institutions to observe specific days. This is a clear overreach aimed at overriding the elected government,” he said.

Calling the move politically motivated, Mr. Sivankutty questioned the intent behind the observance. “Which partition is he referring to? The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which had no role in the freedom struggle, has worked to divide the society. The Governor appears to be echoing this ideology,” he alleged.

Satheesan slams Governor

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan also criticised the Governor’s actions, calling them “unconstitutional.”

“By doing so, the Governor is acting less like a constitutional head and more like a spokesperson for the divisive politics of the RSS. The Chief Minister must not remain silent on the Governor’s wayward actions. The government should officially register its protest,” Mr. Satheesan said.