SFI says won’t allow Gov to enter Kerala varsities; Governor Arif Mohammed Khan hits back

State CPI(M) secretary M V Govindan also said that SFI would continue its agitation. “The Governor is acting in an anti-Constitutional manner. Whatever he is doing and saying are anti-Constitutional. He would be held answerable for filling universities with RSS nominees. He is working as a coordinator to implement the RSS agenda across the universities. SFI has waved black flags at the Governor, as part of the protest,” said Govindan.

A row between the Governor and the state government has reached a flash point over the nomination of members to the senates of universities in Kerala and Calicut.

Meanwhile, Khan on Tuesday hardened his stand against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over SFI’s ongoing stir against him, reiterating that it was a “conspiracy” hatched by the CM, while the protesters were acting as per his “instructions”.

Addressing the media in New Delhi, Khan said, “The chief minister is the home minister. Everything is done as per his directions. Three days ago, he (Vijayan) made a public statement that the Governor has provoked students, but did not give any instance. By what action have I provoked them? This conspiracy has been hatched by the chief minister himself.”

7 SFI activists held for protest against Khan

Seven SFI activists were arrested in connection with Monday’s protest against Governor Khan. Six of them were remanded in judicial custody till December 23, while another was given interim bail till Wednesday evening considering that he has to attend a college exam.

The case against the SFI workers was registered under section 124, which deals with assaulting the President or Governor with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power. This is the first time in Kerala that police have invoked this offence. They also face offences under sections 143, 147, 149,282 and 353 of IPC, and section 3 (2) (e) of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.