Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan Calls Student Activists ‘Criminals’ After Massive Protest by SFI
AMN / WEB DESK
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused Governor Arif Mohammed Khan of deliberately ‘attempting to destroy’ the peace in the state by making provocative statements.
During a press conference responding to reporters’ queries about the Governor calling the protesting SFI activists as “criminals”, Vijayan said Khan has “reached a situation where he is saying whatever comes to mind”. “He (Khan) is forgetting that he is the Governor of Kerala,” the CM said.
Vijayan said that he had earlier also pointed out that Khan was “deliberately attempting to destroy the peace in the state through his actions” and the same has been proven by the Governor’s subsequent actions.
“He (Khan) has tried to create the maximum possible provocation on every issue,” he added.
The CM also criticised Khan for referring to the protesting activists of the CPI(M)’s student wing — the Students Federation of India — as “criminals” and “goondas”.
“How can he use such rude words against the protesters?” he asked.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has hit out at the student activists alleging the protesting students were “criminals” hired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Khan remarks came after he visited the varsity days after his vehicle was allegedly struck by members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) – the student wing of the ruling CPI(M).
Khan, a day ago, reiterated that the volunteers of the ruling CPI(M)’s students’ wing were “criminals” to whom he was not accountable to explain any of his decisions.
He had alleged that the protesting students were “criminals hired by the chief minister”.
Earlier this week, he had accused the CM of ‘conspiring’ to hurt him physically.
Khan had made the accusation after his vehicle was allegedly attacked by SFI activists while he was on his way to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to leave for Delhi.
The SFI activists were protesting against certain steps taken by the Governor, which the students claimed were affecting the education sector in the state. The protesters were later arrested and removed.
The SFI had earlier claimed that it would not allow the Governor to step into any of the campuses in the state, following which Mr Khan decided to stay at the University Guest House for a couple of days.
Speaking to media persons at the Guest House, Arif Mohammed Khan alleged that the protesters were hired and sponsored by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as he wanted to divert attention from the financial crisis the state is facing. He said, the students have no locus standi to question his actions, as he is accountable only to the President of India.