Letter to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day revised; College Development Council Director submits resignation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Director of the College Development Council of the University of Kerala, who had sent a letter to colleges in response to the Governor's directive to observe 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' on August 14, has submitted his resignation after revising the letter. The Director of the College Development Council, Dr. V. Biju, had initially issued a letter to the colleges as per the directive of Governor Rajendra Arlekar. This was yesterday. This was on August 11. However, after the Chief Minister and others reacted against the Governor's directive, Dr. Biju submitted the revised letter today.

The circular was initially issued to observe the day as per the Governor's instructions. However, after the protests erupted, he submitted a letter to VC Mohanan Kunnummal stating that the decision should be taken only with the permission of the concerned authorities after the Chief Minister had made his stand clear about observing the day. He then submitted a letter to VC Mohanan Kunnummal stating his readiness to resign.

With this, it has become clear that there is confusion in the Kerala University regarding the implementation of the Governor's directive. The first letter was sent on August 11 after Kerala VC Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal instructed College Development Council Director Dr. V. Biju to respond to the Governor's letter. The letter included instructions to organise discussions, seminars and plays on college campuses.

Dr. V. Biju submitted a new letter after the ruling and opposition parties raised objections that the Governor's proposal was unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the VC responded that the College Development Council Director had edited the letter without his knowledge and that the letter may have been issued due to pressure from some centre.

Dr. Biju, a former president of the Left Teachers' Association and state-level federation leader, is a physics professor. He wrote to the VC requesting his permission to resign from the post of Director of the College Development Council after the second proposal was sent.