Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan Calls Student Activists ‘Criminals’ After Massive Protest

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has hit out at the student activists alleging the protesting students were "criminals" hired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. 

Khan remarks came after he visited the varsity days after his vehicle was allegedly struck by members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) - the student wing of the ruling CPI(M).

Khan said he was not scared of anyone and alleged that the protesting students were "criminals" hired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"They are all criminals. They have been hired by the chief minister. Whatever protest is there, it is sponsored by the chief minister personally," Khan was quoted by NDTV as having said.

A massive protest was held outside the Calicut University by the SFI yesterday ahead of Governor Khan's visit.

The SFI has been staging widespread protests against the Governor alleging that he has been pushing the BJP-RSS nominees to the senate of various universities in Kerala.

Responding to the allegations, Khan said he was not accountable to anyone except the President of India. "I recommended the names after considering the nominations received from various sources. I am accountable only to the President of India. Ultimately it is my discretion. Why should I explain it to them? I am not accountable to criminals," he said, as per the report.

Earlier this month, Khan accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of "conspiring to physically harm him" after his vehicle was allegedly struck by the members of the SFI.

This incident took place while the Governor was on his way to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to leave for New Delhi.

The report quoting sources said  black flags were waved at Governor Khan at three places and his car was hit by protesters at two of them.