Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan found himself in a familiar confrontation on Monday, February 19, as he once again stepped out of his vehicle to confront activists from the Students Federation of India (SFI) brandishing black flags. The incident unfolded in Mattannur town in Kerala’s district when Khan was en route to the airport in Kannur after meeting the families affected by wild animal attacks in neighboring Wayanad district.
As Khan’s convoy traversed through the town, a group of SFI activists attempted to obstruct his vehicle and displayed black flags, signaling their dissent.
Reacting to the provocative action, Governor Khan halted his car, exited, and approached the protesters, inviting them to engage with him. Despite efforts by police and security personnel to defuse the situation, Khan remained steadfast, causing moments of tension.
After some intervention from his staff and security detail, Khan eventually returned to his vehicle, asserting, “Anywhere they come near the car, I will get down.” He spent five minutes on the bustling road before continuing his journey.
This incident in Mattannur echoes a recent event where Khan staged a roadside protest in Nilamel, Kollam, demanding the arrest of SFI activists who had protested against him. In that instance, Khan grabbed a chair from a nearby shop on the busy MC Road and sat in protest, urging action against the demonstrators.
The SFI has consistently protested against Governor Khan, accusing him of attempting to “saffronize” universities in the state, leading to recurring tensions between the Governor and the student organization.
