Bharat Mata portrait row: Kerala University Registrar moves Kerala High Court challenging his suspension

Kerala University Registrar Dr KS Anil Kumar has approached the Kerala High Court challenging his suspension from service following the recent controversy over his opposition to the use of Bharat Mata portrait with a saffron flag at an event involving Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar.

The State government and the Governor are locked in a tussle over the former's use of Bharat Mata portrait with saffron flag for official events, which the State and its ministers have opposed citing the religious symbolism involved.

Kumar got involved in the controversy after he issued a notice cancelling an event that featured the display of a controversial Bharat Mata portrait at the University Senate Hall.

The notice was issued after the event had commenced with the Kerala Governor on stage. The act was viewed as disrespectful to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University.

Kumar was later suspended.

Justice N Nagaresh today asked the police to clarify whether there was truly such a serious law and order issue during the June 25 event that they were unable to control it, despite the Governor of Kerala attending the event.

The Court has ordered the State Police and the University to file their response by Monday.

"I also want to know what is the police's version. Such a violent situation where Kerala police was not able to handle, in a program where a Governor is attending, was there such a big problem?" the Court asked.

In his petition, Kumar maintained that he issued the notice cancelling the event before the Governor arrived for the event, to avoid any student clashes over the display of a religious photograph at the hall.

He alleged that the organisers of the seminar event, the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samiti, had earlier been requested to remove such religious symbols, which violated the University's rules. The Registrar claimed that he respects the Governor and wished for a peaceful conduct of the event.

However, the organisers refused to remove the photograph of Bharat Mata with the saffron flag which the Registrar referred to as a picture of a Hindu Goddess.

According to Kumar, this compelled him to issue the notice cancelling the event in order to avoid student clashes and bloodshed.

However, between the requests to remove the religious symbols, the organizer's refusal to do so and the the issuance of the notice, the Governor eventually arrived and attended the event.

Later, the Vice-Chancellor suspended the Registrar over his allegedly disrespectful actions. This has been challenged before the High Court.

Senior counsel Elvin Peter PJ appeared for the Registrar.

Kerala University was represented by standing counsel Thomas Abraham.