The Kerala High Court on Friday questioned the basis of suspending Kerala University Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar over the cancellation of a programme attended by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, during which a portrait of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag was displayed.

Justice N. Nagaresh, hearing Kumar’s plea challenging his July 2 suspension, asked how Bharat Mata could be considered a religious symbol and what law and order issue its display could have triggered.

"How is 'Bharat Mata' a religious symbol? What was the provocative image? What law and order problem would it cause in Kerala?" the judge asked while declining Kumar’s interim request to stay the suspension.

Kumar was suspended by Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal for allegedly cancelling the private event—organised by Sree Padmanabha Seva Samithi—after it had commenced and while the Governor was on stage.

Defending his action, Kumar told the court that he acted based on information from the university’s security officer, who reported the presence of a religious symbol at the venue. He said a clash between student wings of CPI(M) and BJP—SFI and ABVP, respectively—had erupted over the portrait, prompting concerns over campus safety.

He also contended that the Vice Chancellor could suspend him only in emergency situations, and that the order lacked prior approval from the university syndicate.

The court observed that the VC can issue such orders when the syndicate is not in session but that the senate must ratify the suspension. It also questioned whether the matter should have been handled differently, given the Governor’s presence.

Finding the exact nature of the law and order issue unclear, the bench directed the police to submit a report and asked Kumar to file a detailed affidavit. The matter will be heard next on Monday, July 7.

According to the suspension order, the Registrar cancelled the event’s sanction on June 25 after it had already begun. However, Kumar maintains that the cancellation notice was issued before the Governor arrived and that he has proof to substantiate this.