In a proceeding that brings to the fore questions of symbolic representation, administrative authority, and institutional decorum, the Kerala High Court on Friday sought clarity from the suspended Registrar of Kerala University, K.S. Anil Kumar, regarding the classification of a ‘Bharat Mata’ portrait as a religious symbol. Justice N. Nagaresh posed pointed queries during the hearing of Kumar’s plea challenging his suspension issued on July 2, 2025.
The Registrar was suspended by Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal following the cancellation of a private event held at the University's Senate Hall on June 25. The programme, which was attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, also the Chancellor of the University, featured a display of a ‘Bharat Mata’ portrait carrying a saffron flag. The Registrar is alleged to have issued a notice revoking the sanction for the event during its course and while the Governor was on stage.
Appearing before the Court, Kumar asserted that the cancellation notice had been issued prior to the Governor’s arrival and that he possessed material evidence to substantiate this. He further stated that the action was prompted by information received from the university’s security officer, who had described the portrait as a religious symbol. Kumar maintained that the Vice Chancellor lacked authority to suspend him except in emergency situations and argued that the procedural safeguards under university regulations had not been adhered to. He also referred to a conflict between student political wings, CPI(M)’s Students Federation of India (SFI) and BJP’s Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), that arose over the display of the portrait.
In the course of the hearing, Justice N. Nagaresh queried the petitioner: “How ‘Bharat Mata’ was a religious symbol? What was the provocative photograph and on putting it up on display, what law and order problem was going to occur in Kerala?” The Court also observed that the exact nature of the disturbance was unclear and remarked on the timing of the cancellation in relation to the presence of the Governor, stating that the manner in which the matter was handled warranted scrutiny.
The Court further noted that while the Vice Chancellor may issue orders when the Syndicate is not in session, the suspension must be placed before the Senate for approval.
The Court declined to grant interim relief, staying the suspension. It directed the Kerala Police to file a reply indicating whether the incident amounted to a substantial law and order problem. Additionally, the Registrar was asked to file a detailed reply affidavit. The matter is posted for further hearing on Monday, July 7.
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