'Trying To Disrupt Peace And Harmony': Kerala CM Says Govt May Approach Centre To Get Governor Removed

Kerala CM Vijayan has said that the state government may consider an option to approach the Centre seeking the recall of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Kerala government may consider an option to approach the Central government seeking the recall of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday. Khan has been at loggerheads with the Left party over various issues. Addressing the media in Kollam as part of the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas, Vijayan said that Khan was 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 to several queries, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Vijayan lashed out at Khan and said that the Governor 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," Vijayan said, as quoted by PTI.

Continuing his attack at Khan, the Left leader stated that he should explain from where he received the list of RSS nominees to the senate of the universities. "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 said, as quoted by PTI.

He further stated that 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.

The Students' Federation of India has been protesting against Arif Mohammed Khan 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. 

SFI Will Protest Because They Are Holding Privileged Post In University: Arif Mohammed Khan 

Speaking on the protest held by SFI, the Kerala governor said that they would protest because they are holding a privileged post at the university. "Have you heard anybody other than SFI? They will protest because they are holding a privileged post at 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