Kerala CM Vijayan To Urge Centre To Remove Guv Khan As Spat Grows Bitter Amid SFI Protests

CM Vijayan blamed Governor Khan for trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state by creating deliberate provocation.

File photo of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing feud between the Kerala government and the Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that his government may approach the Centre seeking the recall of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), has been staging protests against the Governor alleging that he has been pushing BJP-RSS nominees to the senate of various universities in Kerala using his authority as the chancellor of universities in the state, reported PTI.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram | SFI (Students Federation of India), the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), staged a black flag protest march outside Calicut University Guest House against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan pic.twitter.com/ERxVXoMgHE

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023

Addressing the media, Vijayan blamed Governor Khan for trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state by creating deliberate provocation.

"In order to maintain a cordial Centre-state relationship, the actions of the Governor should be rectified. The state government feels that he is trying to disrupt peace and harmony in the state. It seems like we will have to ask the Centre to remove him," Vijayan answered the various queries, reported PTI.

Vijayan further lashed out at Khan alleging that he has shifted to making personal attacks and has been blurting out whatever comes to his mind. "His behaviour violates a certain etiquette to be followed by a Governor. The Centre should examine this," he said.

Meanwhile, the governor responding to the SFI protests against him, said "They will protest because they are holding a privileged post in the University...I don't need any protection..."

#WATCH | On SFI protest against him, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in Kozhikode says, "...They will protest because they are holding a privileged post in the University...I don't need any protection..." pic.twitter.com/XNySnHWSZi

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2023

Continuing his attack on Khan, Vijayan said the governor should explain from where he received the list of RSS nominees to the universities' senate.

"The Sangh Parivar wants to control universities across the country. But their agenda to control the higher education sector and to implement saffronisation will not work in Kerala," Vijayan claimed.

He also said usually the Governor nominates the people to the senate from the list prepared by the university but in this case, Khan appointed Sangh Parivar affiliates, reported PTI.

The SFI has been alleging that Khan's actions were part of the saffronisation agenda of the BJP.