The Kerala High Court on Friday posed pointed questions to Kerala University Registrar K S Anil Kumar, who has challenged his recent suspension, asking how the image of ‘Bharat Mata’ could be considered a religious symbol or how its display could result in a law-and-order problem.
Justice N Nagaresh, hearing Kumar’s plea, declined to grant interim relief against the suspension order and sought clarifications on the reasons behind the cancellation of a private event attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, held at the University Senate Hall on 25 June 2025.
Kumar was suspended on 2 July 2025 by Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal for allegedly cancelling permission for the programme mid-way, citing the display of a portrait of Bharat Mata carrying a saffron flag. The portrait, displayed at the venue, allegedly triggered tensions between the SFI (the student wing of the CPI(M)) and the ABVP (student wing of the BJP).
During the hearing, the court questioned whether the image of Bharat Mata could truly be classified as a religious symbol and sought clarity on what “provocative” element in the portrait could have led to a law and order issue. Justice Nagaresh further asked what problem could arise in Kerala from displaying such an image.
The Registrar told the court that the university’s security officer had flagged the image as a religious symbol and, given the escalating tension between student groups, he decided to revoke the hall’s sanction. He claimed the cancellation was issued before the Governor arrived on stage and said he had proof to that effect.
The Vice Chancellor, however, alleged in the suspension order that the Registrar cancelled the programme’s sanction after it had already started and while the Governor — who also serves as the University’s Chancellor — was on stage, thereby embarrassing the institution.
The court noted that the Vice Chancellor is authorised to issue orders in the absence of the university syndicate and that the senate would have to ratify the suspension later. It also questioned whether the situation should have been handled differently, given the presence of the Governor at the event.
Justice Nagaresh remarked that the exact nature of the law and order issue remains unclear, and directed the police to file a report clarifying whether there was indeed a serious disturbance. A detailed reply affidavit has also been sought from the Registrar.
The matter is now listed for further hearing on Monday, 7 July 2025.
(With inputs from NDTV)
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