Malappuram: The Students' Federation of India (SFI) has refused to back out from its onslaught against Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
Banners against the Governor with quotes like 'Mr Chancellor you are not welcome here' and 'This is the place of your bloody criminals. Beware' appeared in Ponnani ahead of his visit here on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Governor took a dig at the ruling Left in the state, saying that "disruptions, dishonour and protests" are part of their 'sanskar' (manners) and that is why they engage in agitations even when they have been elected to power."
Khan, referring to the black "clothes" waved at him by SFI, DYFI and CPI(M) activists along the route to Ponnani here, said it was "most unfortunate" that the members of the party responsible for maintaining law and order in the state were creating disruption on the roads.
Activists of the CPI(M) and its student wing -- Students Federation of India (SFI) -- and youth wing -- Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) -- waved black flags at the Governor along the route to a commemoration programme organised by the Congress party in Ponnani.
"If an alien, someone who does not know this place, asks who they (protestors) are, what reply will you give? They are members of a party which has been elected to run the government in Kerala.
"If they belong to the ruling party, how come they are protesting? The reply would be -- that they are so used to, their sanskars are so used to disruption, dishonour and protests that they forget they have been chosen to rule the state. It is unfortunate," Khan said taking a dig at the ruling Left in the state.
He said that is how some people are and that it was actually their sanskars.
"If you have been brought up and trained in a particular manner, then it becomes very difficult to change your nature. So you keep doing it disregarding all the obligations and duties which are cast upon you by the people of the state," the Governor said.
He, however, said that his words were not a criticism and were only a "light remark".
After the event, while speaking to reporters outside the venue, Khan said, "Everyone knows here the violence they have indulged in the past. So, there is nothing new about it and I do not want to give them any importance".
He was responding to reporters' queries about him referring to the SFI protestors as "criminals".
"If someone hits your car or tries to hit your head, what would you call them? Is violence part of the protest? Do you accept that?" he asked the reporters.
Arif Mohammed Khan arrived at Eramangalam after 11 am on Wednesday to attend the memorial service of late former Congress MLA PT Mohana Krishnan. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala was the chief guest at the commemoration meeting which is being presided over by VM Sudheeran. The Youth Congress had earlier expressed public protest against the invitation of the Governor to the memorial program of a Congress leader. Leaders like ET Muhammad Basheer MP and P Nandakumar MLA are also invited to the programme.
The Governor had faced a massive protest from various youth outfits affiliated to the ruling Left Democratic Front during his visit to Thodupuzha in Idukki district on Tuesday. Governor Khan arrived in Thodupuzha amidst a hartal called by the LDF in Idukki district against his refusal to give assent to the Kerala Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill 2023. As the Governor entered the hill district to participate in a function organised by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti, a traders' body, a group of Left activists attempted to obstruct his vehicle, displaying black flags as a mark of protest.
