Presence of Muslims in SFI prompts Kerala Governor to allege CPI-M-PFI nexus

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, who has been in loggerhead with the state government for a long time now, has reignited controversy by alleging a 'nexus' between the ruling CPIM and the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI) through its student wing, the Students' Federation of India (SFI).

Governor Khan, in an interview with NDTV, accused the state government of maintaining an association with the banned PFI through its CPI-M’s student wing, stating that "During the day they (the Kerala government) are with SFI and, in the night, work for PFI."

While he did not provide specific names, he claimed that central agencies have information supporting his allegations of a SFI-PFI "nexus," which he said he gathered from the people of Kerala.

The Governor pointed to a recent incident in Kollam district where he had a face-off with SFI activists. He mentioned arrests made following the confrontation, asserting that nearly half of those arrested were found to be active PFI volunteers. He suggested that the political establishment may be utilizing PFI and accused the state of orchestrating protests against him.

Critics argue that Governor Khan alleged a nexus with the PFI because most of those arrested in connection with the incident in Kollam district belonged to the Muslim community.

Governor Khan alleged that the protests, particularly the one in Kollam, were organized by the ruling party and involved individuals beyond the age of students. He claimed that these demonstrations were a response to the Supreme Court judgment in the Kannur University case, where the ruling party allegedly lost control over university appointments.

The Students' Federation of India has been protesting against Governor Khan, accusing him of appointing "BJP-RSS nominees" to various universities in the state. In response, the Governor labelled these protests as a "joint venture of SFI and PFI," accusing Chief Minister Vijayan of using students as sacrificial lambs.

The Governor, who has been at odds with the state government on various issues, including university appointments, launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's administration.

The Chief Minister, on the other hand, criticized Governor Khan for the Kollam confrontation, stating that the Governor should not have exited his car and broken the security protocol. In the midst of escalating tensions, the central government has upgraded Governor Khan's security to 'Z' category status.