In the midst of an escalating conflict between Kerala Raj Bhavan and the ruling CPI(M), the SFI, the student wing of the party, burned a sizable effigy of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan at Payyambalam beach on Sunday evening. The act was in protest against the Governor’s alleged “communalization” of the state’s education sector.

SFI State President K Anushree set ablaze the 30ft tall effigy resembling Khan, while fellow members of the student organization chanted slogans. The protest aimed to denounce the Governor’s appointment of Hindu right-wing activists to university senates in the state.

Anushree, addressing the media, expressed the hope that in the new year, the Governor would cease pursuing a communal agenda in higher education. She clarified that the burning of the effigy symbolized their opposition to the Governor’s alleged communal agenda.

Payyambalam beach was chosen as the protest site due to its historical significance as the location of the memorial for Kerala’s communist leaders, including AK Gopalan. Verbal clashes have occurred between the Governor, the Chief Minister, and the SFI regarding Khan’s appointments to university senates.

Governor Khan contends that he is under attack because the state government and the SFI have lost control over the state’s universities. He cites a recent Supreme Court order nullifying the reappointment of Gopinath Ravindran as Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University to support his claim.

Source: PTI