Rajendra Arlekar: The Saffron Custodian

Swift Summary

• Rajendra Vishwanath arlekar assumed charge as the 23rd Governor of Kerala on January 2, 2025. He is a longtime Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) loyalist and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran.
• Previously,Mr. Arlekar served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, holding critically important roles in BJP-led governments in Goa as 1989.
• His tenure has seen escalating tensions with Kerala’s CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government over higher education governance and ideological symbolism.
• Major points of contention include his insistence on governor-led authority in university appointments,backed by UGC guidelines; nearly all state universities lack regular Vice-Chancellors due to political gridlock.
• Judicial interventions were required: The supreme court appointed former judge Sudhanshu Dhulia to oversee some Vice-Chancellor searches in two key universities.
• A portrait depicting ‘Bharat Mata’ with RSS-style iconography at official functions drew backlash from LDF/UDF parties against perceived politicization of Raj Bhavan imagery.
• Critics argue Mr. Arlekar aims to “saffronise” campuses and expand BJP influence under the guise of reforms; his camp counters that opposition stalls essential change for political motives.
• The dispute underscores broader ideological conflict between federal autonomy principles versus centralized governance.

indian Opinion Analysis

The role of governors, especially within ideologically contentious states like Kerala, continues to highlight challenges inherent to India’s federal structure. While gubernatorial authority over higher education aligns with certain legal frameworks like UGC guidelines, its implementation becomes fraught when it conflicts with locally elected governments asserting control over state-run institutions. This standoff risks undermining administrative efficiency-13 out of 14 universities remain without permanent leadership-possibly affecting students’ academic futures.

The symbolic use of imagery tied closely to an ideology further fuels debate about balancing constitutional propriety with ideological representation visible in public institutions.Such moves may erode trust at a time when impartiality from constitutional positions is both sought and debated.

Judicial intervention offers temporary resolutions but cannot replace consensus-based governance needed for long-term stability. As federal-state relations are tested during critical appointments or legislative approvals under Mr. Arlekar’s governorship, resolving thes disputes amicably will be crucial for preserving democratic institutional order while avoiding polarizing outcomes during politically charged times.

Read more: Governors as Chancellors.