Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 21 (The Street Press India) – On Thursday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Congress opposition are trying to disturb the peace in the state. Vijayan pointed out that Khan’s actions suggest he supports those aiming to disrupt Kerala’s peaceful environment.
“He intended to provoke and create an atmosphere of conflict in the state to disrupt peace in Kerala. However, the public response to it was in a dignified manner,” Vijayan stated during a press meeting at the Nava Kerala Sadas – the state government’s outreach program. Vijayan noted that even the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the CPI(M)’s student outfit, conducted a responsible protest against Khan’s senate appointments as the Chancellor of state universities.
“They did not act in a manner which could lead to any conflict that the Governor wanted to create. They (SFI) did not stoop to his level. They did not fall into his trap and that needs to be appreciated,” Vijayan remarked.
He argued that communal forces and their agents aimed to hinder the progress of the state’s higher education sector. Emphasizing the importance of nurturing the younger generation, Vijayan called for united efforts against those “inject the poison of racism and hatred into their minds.”
The CM also raised questions about a march organized by the Kerala Students’ Union (KSU), questioning the specific student-related issues they were addressing.
He asserted that the KSU march aimed to carry out the “call for violence” made by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan a day earlier outside the State Secretariat.
“So, the intention is to disrupt the peace in the state. What will they (Congress) gain by it? Why take such a stand? Can a responsible party or organisation take such a stand? “Unfortunately, the opposition leader himself is calling for violence. We saw that yesterday,” stated the CM.
Vijayan suggested that these actions by the Congress and the Leader of Opposition reflect their frustration over unsuccessful plans.
“As a result, they themselves get provoked. But this (violence) is not the solution for that,” he emphasized.
Satheesan, addressing a Youth Congress march to the Secretariat on Wednesday, had cautioned about retaliation if the police didn’t act against those attacking the party’s youth wing workers during the state government’s Nava Kerala Sadas outreach.
Vijayan reiterated that those showing him black flags weren’t attacked; they were merely pushed away from the Nava Kerala Sadas bus path to ensure their safety.
“I have been saying that right from the start. Pushing them out of the way of the bus was a rescue effort. But Congress does not want that. They want someone to be harmed. That is why they have instructed the protestors to jump before the bus,” remarked Vijayan.
