Universities to Observe Partition Horror Day on Aug 14: Kerala Guv
The ongoing tussle between the Kerala Governor and the state government has led to a new flashpoint, with the Governor directing universities to observe August 14 as “Partition Horror Day”. This directive has been issued following a 2022 circular by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which urged institutions to commemorate the day to raise awareness about the horrors of Partition.
However, the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly opposed the Governor’s decision, terming it “unconstitutional and unacceptable”. Vijayan accused the Governor of promoting a “Sangh Parivar divisive agenda” and claimed that the directive was an attempt to divide the people of Kerala.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the Governor, Rajendran Vishwanath Arlekar, has instructed universities to organize seminars, dramas, and other events to commemorate the Partition Horror Day. The Governor’s office has stated that the decision was taken to educate students about the traumatic experiences of those who were affected by the Partition of India in 1947.
The Partition of India was one of the most traumatic events in the country’s history, resulting in the displacement of millions of people, widespread violence, and the loss of countless lives. The event has left a lasting impact on the country’s social fabric, with many families still bearing the scars of the trauma.
The UGC circular, which was issued in 2022, had urged universities to observe August 14 as “Partition Horror Day” to raise awareness about the event and its impact on the people of India. The circular had also suggested that universities organize seminars, workshops, and cultural events to educate students about the Partition.
However, the Governor’s decision to direct universities to observe Partition Horror Day has been seen as a move to polarize the people of Kerala, with the opposition parties and the state government strongly opposing the directive. Vijayan has accused the Governor of trying to promote a “Sangh Parivar agenda” and has claimed that the directive was an attempt to divide the people of Kerala along communal lines.
The Governor’s office has, however, defended the decision, stating that the directive was taken to educate students about the Partition and its impact on the people of Kerala. The office has also stated that the decision was in line with the UGC circular and was aimed at promoting a sense of national unity and integrity.
The row over Partition Horror Day has once again highlighted the deep-seated divisions between the Governor and the state government in Kerala. The two have been at loggerheads over a range of issues, including the appointment of Vice Chancellors, the functioning of universities, and the implementation of government policies.
The opposition parties in Kerala have also joined the fray, with the Congress and the CPI(M) accusing the Governor of trying to promote a “communal agenda” and undermining the state government’s authority. The parties have demanded that the Governor withdraw the directive and allow universities to function independently.
The Kerala University Teachers Association (KUTA) has also opposed the Governor’s directive, stating that it was an attempt to impose a ” communal agenda” on universities. The association has demanded that the Governor withdraw the directive and allow universities to function freely.
The row over Partition Horror Day has once again brought to the fore the deep-seated divisions between the Governor and the state government in Kerala. The two have been at loggerheads over a range of issues, and the row has once again raised questions about the role of the Governor in the state.
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