What is Partition Horrors Day? Why a circular issued to Kerala universities stoked fresh feud between Governor Rajendra Arlekar and state govt

Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar has issued a circular to the state's vice chancellors, directing universities to observe August 14 as 'Partition Horrors Day'. 

The circular directs universities to organise seminars, dramas and other programmes to raise awareness among the public about the horrors of the Partition. The governor has asked the vice chanecellors to prepare an action plan with regard to this.

What is Partition Horrors Day?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 14 as Partition Horrors Day on August 14, 2021 to raise awareness about the sufferings and sacrifices of Indians during the 1947 Partition.

While making the announcement, PM Modi said back then: "Partition's pains can never be forgotten. Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence." The prime minister added that observing the day will remind people of the need to reject the poison of social divisions while strengthening the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment.

Why is Kerala government opposing the governor's circular?

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty slammed the the observance of Partition Horrors Day as an RSS event. He questioned the governor's authority is issuing such a circular, adding that Arlekar is trying run a parallel government in the state.

In 2022, the University Grants Commission directed academic institutions to observe the Partition Horror Day. The same year, the Delhi Metro also organised exhibitions that included "panels on the wrecked buildings in Lahore and Amritsar".

In 2023, the Southern Railway's Thiruvanathapuram Division held exhibitions at Nagercoil Junction, Kollam Junction, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur stations.