Kannur VC a 'criminal', conspired to attack me, says Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan

The Governor said that he received reports from 'very high quarters' that people knew that the conspiracy was hatched in Delhi

The intensifying Governor-government rift in Kerala on Sunday witnessed the Governor Arif Mohammed Khan alleging that vice-chancellor of the Kannur University, Gopinath Ravindran, was part of a conspiracy to physically hurt him in 2019 and termed the vice-chancellor as a 'criminal'.

"He was party to the conspiracy to hurt me physically. He is a criminal. He is sitting as VC because of political reasons. I was invited there by the VC. What was his duty when I was attacked? Was he not supposed to report it to the police? He did not do so," Khan told reporters in the national capital. He was referring to the alleged heckling he faced when he went to inaugurate the Indian History Congress hosted by Kannur University in December 2019.

The harsh remarks of the Governor against the vice-chancellor is sequel to the serious allegations of nepotism in appointments in the university and staying of the selection of Chief Minister's private secretary's wife as associate professor in the university.

Also Read | Pinarayi Vijayan accuses Centre of 'squeezing' state financially

Khan told reporters in Delhi on Sunday that a protest against him during History Congress at Kannur University in 2019 over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was part of a conspiracy.

"In normal course, I have no business to say anything against any VC. If I have to take action, I can. I have the power. Why should I speak publicly? "But, I have been forced to speak publicly because this VC has crossed all limits of decency, of academic discipline. He has ruined Kannur University. More than a VC, he is a political cadre... He was behind the conspiracy to attack me at Kannur University," Khan alleged.

The Governor said that he later received reports from "very high quarters" that people knew that the conspiracy was hatched in Delhi. "He (VC) was part of it," he again claimed. On what action he would take on returning to Kerala, Khan said, "My only plan is to set the house in order. The position of Kannur University is such."

Khan's reaction leads to indications that he may take action against the vice-chancellor. He is also reviewing all recent appointments in the universities in the state.

The Governor-government rift will also lead to heated debates in the Kerala Assembly's special session from Monday as the Congress is also demanding probe into the appointments in all universities in the state during the ruling left-front government's term.

Even as the Assembly session is being convened to bring in bills to replace 11 ordinances that the Governor refused to repromulgate, there are concerns that even if the bills are passed in the Assembly the Governor may delay giving assent to crucial ones like the Lok Ayukta Act amendment. Governor refused to repromulgate the ordinances as many were already repromulgated several times.

Meanwhile, the Kerala University senate passed a resolution against the Governor, who is also the chancellor, for initiating formation of a selection committee for next vice-chancellor. The pro-left front members in the senate were irked over the Governor's moves as the left front government was initiating steps to curtail Governor's powers as chancellor in selection of vice chancellors.

While the left front leaders were reiterating that the Governor was acting as per a ploy of BJP-RSS, the Governor reacted that he was only going by legal and expert opinions and not trying to satisfy his ego.