Kerala Guv asking universities to observe ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ sparks political row
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s circular asking universities in the state to observe August 14 as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ has ignited controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the state government and opposition leaders.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the directive to vice chancellors as “unconstitutional and unacceptable,” asserting that Kerala would not allow its campuses to be used for what he called the “Sangh Parivar’s divisive agenda.” Referring to August 15, the CM accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates of undermining India’s Independence Day, noting the RSS’s association with the British Raj rather than the freedom movement.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan also criticised the governor, calling the move unconstitutional and accusing him of representing the “divisive politics of the RSS,” according to Mathrubhumi.
The governor’s circular issued to the vice chancellor said that August 14, a day before Independence Day, has been declared as the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day and that the educational institutes “can organise seminars to commemorate the occasion”, The Indian Express reported.
The circular aligns with a 2022 University Grants Commission directive, which followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2021 announcement of the observance. However, this reportedly marks the first time universities in Kerala have received formal instructions to mark the occasion.
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty accused Governor Arlekar of overstepping his constitutional authority and attempting to run a “parallel administration” by instructing institutions to observe specific days without government consent.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
