High Court Asks Kerala University Registrar, “How Is ‘Bharat Mata’ A Religious Symbol?”

Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has raised pointed questions about the recently suspended Kerala University Registrar’s classification of “Bharat Mata” as a religious symbol.

Justice N. Nagaresh, presiding over the hearing, asked K. S. Anil Kumar how an image of “Bharat Mata” could amount to a religious emblem, and why its display in a university hall would threaten law and order.

Registrar’s Suspension & Grounds

Kumar was suspended on July 2 by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, following his order to cancel a private programme at the Senate Hall. The event, organised by the Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi, was attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar—who serves as the University Chancellor—and featured a portrait of “Bharat Mata” bearing a saffron flag. The suspension order accused Kumar of unilaterally revoking the hall sanction mid-event.

Registrar’s Plea & Court’s Response

Challenging his suspension, Kumar sought an interim stay. The court, however, declined this plea, questioning the underlying rationale. Justice Nagaresh asked, “How ‘Bharat Mata’ was a religious symbol? What was the provocative photograph? And what law and order problem would arise in Kerala by putting it on display?” Kumar argued that tensions had flared between the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) over the portrait’s display. He also maintained that a university security officer had warned him the image constituted a religious symbol—and thus, under university policy, warranted cancellation of the event.

Authority To Suspend

Kumar further contended that the Vice-Chancellor’s power to suspend the Registrar is limited to genuine emergency situations. In response, the court clarified that while the syndicate must normally sanction such actions, the VC may issue orders when the syndicate is not in session—and that the senate’s subsequent approval of the suspension is required.

Handling Of Governor’s Visit

The bench probed whether the decision to cancel the programme was appropriate given the presence of the Governor on stage. Observing that the precise law and order threat remained unclear, the court directed the police to file a report detailing any significant public order concerns linked to the display of the portrait.

Evidence & Timing Dispute

According to the July 2 suspension order, Kumar’s June 25 notice revoked the hall booking after the programme had begun and while the Governor was on stage. Kumar rejected this account, asserting that the cancellation notice was issued before the Governor’s arrival, and that he possesses documentary evidence to substantiate this timeline.

The High Court has summoned a detailed affidavit from Kumar, alongside the police report, to clarify these issues. The matter is slated for further hearing on Monday, July 7.