Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan said the Popular Front of India (PFI)-Students’ Federation of India (SFI) alliance exists in the state. SFI is the student wing of the ruling Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM). PFI was banned in September 2022 by the central government, but its cadre is still active in Kerala.
The Governor also alleged that those arrested in the SFI protest against him were PFI workers. Black flag protests are being held against the Governor. Recently, twelve individuals were detained in Nilamel in Kollam district, and seven of them were identified as known volunteers of the banned terrorist organisation PFI.
The Governor also said that he has received a clear report in this regard. The communist government is not only sheltering but is also using PFI members to create law and order problems in Kerala. They plan to provoke him into drastic action, but he will not oblige them. Arif Khan was speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Governor was coming to Kottarakkara late last month when SFI/PFI Activists showed black flags and tried to ambush his car. He was en route to attend an event at Sadanandapuram Ashramam in Kottarakkara.
Arif Khan stopped his entourage and took on the agitating members. He placed a chair in front of the tea shop on the roadside for about an hour and a half, demanding the arrest of the activists. He said that the police were protecting the agitators.
The Governor also called the head of the state police and reprimanded him for applying different rules to the demonstrations directed at him and the chief minister. The police had to provide a copy of the FIR against the SFI workers before the Governor ended his protest. Only then did the Governor continue his journey from there.
Incidentally, the Kadakkal first-class judicial magistrate court quickly granted bail to all accused. Chatayamangalam SFI Area Secretary N. Asif, activists Fayaz Muhammad, Arvind, Vishnu, Abhijit, Bukhari, Muzaffir Muhammad, Muhammad Ubais, Binil, Abhinanda and two ladies Arya and Absana got bail.
They were charged under sections 124 and 353 (assaulting the Governor and obstructing the proper functioning of the police). The defence contended that sections were not applicable. The defence counsel argued that the workers were not involved in the attack on the Governor’s car, as he claimed, but engaged in a peaceful protest. These PFI/SFI workers were then given a welcome reception at Kottarakkara.
In a major embarrassment to the Kerala Government, the Union Home Ministry immediately notified that the Hon’ble Governor and Raj Bhavan will henceforth have Z+ security coverage from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). In a few hours, Vinod Karthik, DIG, CRPF Pallipuram, assumed command of the Governor’s security. The Raj Bhavan verified that ten National Security Guard commandos will be included in the 55-person security squad.
At the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan informed reporters that the presence of the CRPF would not prevent demonstrations against Khan. Govindan charged that Mr Khan had violated VIP security regulations by getting out of his car, confronting demonstrators up close, and serving as a BJP agent provocateur.
The communist mouthpiece, The Hindu, claimed that protecting the Governor using the Central paramilitary cover was a breach of foundational principles of cooperative federalism. Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan slammed Pinarayi Vijayan for allegedly portraying the paramilitary force as a political arm of the Centre.
The communists, with help from Congress, have held the education department in its iron grip for many decades. Acceptance of University certificates from Kerala outside the state has been declining.
Arif Khan is now challenging that trend and wants to bring back lost glory. For some time now, the SFI and green communists have been attempting violence against the Governor, claiming that he is trying to “Saffronise” the state’s colleges.
In November 2023, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Kerala government for engaging in “unwarranted interference” with the Governor’s authority to designate the Vice Chancellor of Kannur University. The court quashed the state’s appointment of Dr. Gopinath Raveendran (a communist stooge) as Kannur University’s vice-chancellor.
As Raveendran’s four-year term came to an end in November 2021, the Governor established a selection committee and started the process of choosing the next V-C. Even the state government put out a notice inviting qualified applicants to submit applications. But then, in an unexpected turn of events, R. Bindu, the pro-chancellor of Kannur University and state minister for higher education, suggested that Ravindran be reappointed and withdrew the call for new nominations.
Recently, Bindu appointed herself to the Kerala University Senate meeting chairperson position. The Governor pointed out that her actions violated the rules. Arif Khan did not appoint anyone to hold the post of president. The minister has the power to hold the post of chairman only if the Governor appoints her to the post.
As the Higher Education minister, Bindu was in the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor. Arif Khan authorised the Vice Chancellor to preside over the meeting, and the minister did not have any authority even to enter the Senate Hall. He criticised the Higher Education Minister, saying she appeared to be “totally ignorant” and showed no regard for the law or the court.
Arif Khan said what the minister had done was challenging the Supreme Court.
