The activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the students' wing of ruling CPI(M), were detained after they attempted to stage a black flag protest against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan at Thrissur in Kerala on Wednesday.
The students attempted to show the black flags in front of Khan's vehicle as part of the organization's ongoing opposition to the Governor but were stopped by the police officers. Khan made his way to Thrissur to participate in an event at Kerala University of Health Sciences situated within the Medical College campus.
As police anticipated potential demonstrations against the Governor, authorities detained over 40 SFI activists beforehand from across the district. They also removed SFI activists placed at various points along the route where Governor Khan's convoy was scheduled to pass through.
Nevertheless, two SFI activists managed to step onto the road just before Khan's vehicle arrived and attempted to protest with black flags. The police officers immediately apprehended them, seized their black flags, and removed them from the road.
Later, the students were taken into custody and escorted into a police vehicle.
A police official stated that a total of 43 SFI activists were detained as a preventive measure in connection with Governor Khan's visit. The SFI has been organizing protests against the Governor for some time, alleging his efforts to "saffronize" the state's universities.
Last month, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan resorted to a roadside sit-in protest in Nilamel, Kollam district over the alleged inaction of the police to halt the black flag demonstration held by SFI workers against him. Additionally, he demanded decisive action against SFI activists who had displayed banners and chanted slogans against him in Nilamel. During the protest, the Governor said that he wouldn't leave and claimed that police provided protection for the protestors.
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