The entire State of Kerala, except for hardcore Marxists, was in for a shock as alleged goons, claimed to be activists of the CPI(M), attempted to physically assault Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday. The Governor was travelling in his car from Thiruvananthapuram to Kollam when CPI(M) activists intercepted his car and began hitting the windshield and bonnet. When the Governor exited the car, the assailants escaped to safety. The initially silent police eventually persuaded the Governor to return to the car, but he requested a chair from a roadside vendor, sat on the pavement, and contacted the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Addressing reporters at the scene, Arif Mohammed Khan said that the series of attacks carried out on him by CPI(M) activists over the last few months were allegedly orchestrated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "I don't have a problem with them waving black flags at me and raising slogans against me. However, when they attack the official car in which I travel, the situation becomes dangerously serious," said the Governor.
K Ramkumar, the octogenarian lawyer and human rights leader, described the attack on the Governor as improper and illegal. "The Governor is the Head of the State as well as the First Citizen of the State. If the Government fails to provide foolproof security to its own head, what should we understand about the intention of the council of ministers? This Government has failed in its Constitutional responsibilities, and it is an unconscionable failure," Ramkumar told The Pioneer.
Within hours of the attack on the Governor, the home ministry upgraded his security cover to that of Z Plus, and the commandos of the CRPF took over the responsibility from the lethargic wing of the State Police.
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CPI(M) goons attack
Kerala Governor
Interestingly, earlier this week, Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan had said that the life of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was in danger and that his security needed to be increased.
The attack on the Governor on Saturday is being viewed as a consequence of the speech he delivered during the Republic Day Parade in Thiruvananthapuram, where he called for a cessation of political and external interferences in institutions of higher learning to maintain their autonomy. A disgruntled Vijayan, popularly known as Karana Bhoothan, was observed walking away once the function concluded. Later in the day, Education Minister V Sivankutty and the party's State secretary MV Govindan were deployed by Karana Bhoothan to confront the Governor, which they did with finesse. The duo urged the Centre to abolish the post of Governor, deeming it an inconsequential position.
Student wing leader of the CPI(M) PM Arsho blamed the Governor for Saturday's incident. "Arif Mohammed Khan does not possess the qualities to be the Governor of this State. On Saturday, the Governor attempted to intimidate the poor students who were peacefully agitating for their rights. Arif Mohammed Khan exited the car, threatened the police and the students by shouting at them. He even humiliated the students by referring to them as monkeys, criminals, and idiots. There was no need for the police to register a case against us under Section 124 of the IPC because we were employing only democratic means of protest against the Governor," said Arsho, himself an accused in nearly twenty criminal cases.
All CPI(M) ministers condemned the Governor for Saturday's attack and labelled it as a protest by students who were allegedly humiliated and insulted by the Governor.