Governor's 'Partition Horrors Day' Directive: Why It's Causing Political Row In Kerala? (image:facebook.com/KeralaGovernor)
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s directive to observe August 12 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on college campuses has erupted a political row in the state. The move was slammed by the CPI(M) and opposition Congress alike. Student outfits like the SFI and KSU have also expressed strong reservations and pledged to block any such events.
While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said that the state government believes it is unnecessary to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on college campuses in Kerala a day before Independence Day, as it could cause “communal polarisation”.
The Minister added that she has directed the heads of Collegiate Education and Technical Education to inform all colleges under their authority about the government’s position on the matter.
Last week, Raj Bhavan issued a circular instructing universities to organize seminars and commemorative events, including street plays and dramas, highlighting the “trauma” of India’s Partition. It also asked the vice-chancellors to submit the universities’ action plans regarding this.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the move as as “objectionable” and a “Sangh Parivar-inspired attempt” to undermine India’s Independence Day.
“. . . The Sangh Parivar, which had no role in the freedom movement and served the British Raj, now seeks to undermine Independence Day by promoting divisive agendas.The Governor’s directive to universities to observe August 14 as “Partition Horror Day” is unconstitutional and unacceptable. Kerala will never allow its campuses to be turned into stages for their divisive agenda,” the chief minister said in a X post.
August 15 is a reminder of India’s anti-imperialist struggle and the 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 divisive…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) August 11, 2025
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Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan has also heavily criticised Kerala governor’s circular, declaring it as unconstitutional and a serious mistake.
“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 protes,” The Hindu reports, as Satheesan is saying.
A previous circular from the Governor’s office, asking universities to mark the anniversary of the Emergency on June 25 as ‘Constitution Assassination Day,’ also caused a row at the University of Kerala, especially over the display of a Bharat Mata portrait at the venue.
