Unfortunate addressing Bharat Mata as woman holding flag, no stay on suspension of Kerala University Registrar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala High Court did not grant an immediate stay on the suspension of Kerala University Registrar K S Anil Kumar over the Bharat Mata issue. Anil Kumar filed a plea in the high court Friday morning, stating that the suspension was illegal. The high court raised severe criticisms while considering it. The case will be considered again on Monday. The high court has also asked the VC to file a detailed affidavit.

The court criticized that the registrar's action as affecting the Governor's dignity and the matter should not have been handled this way. It is unfortunate addressing Bharat Mata as a woman carrying a flag. What provocative picture was displayed there. What law and order problem did the picture create in Kerala. The court has also asked the Kerala Police to respond to the situation that led to the postponement of the programme at the Senate Hall.

The problems that arose following a seminar organized by the Sri Padmanabha Seva Samiti at the Kerala University Senate Hall in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Emergency led to the suspension of the Registrar. Governor Rajendra Arlekar was the chief guest. An opportunity was provided to offer floral tributes to the picture of Bharat Mata carrying the saffron flag. Seeing this, the registrar demanded to remove the picture or else will not allow to conduct the function. Following that, permission was denied.

Raj Bhavan sought an explanation from the VC regarding the denial of permission for the event attended by the Governor, who is also the Chancellor, and based on this, the VC reported to the Governor against the Registrar. The Governor, after examining the report, directed the VC to suspend him.