Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan on Tuesday was chastised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary MV Govindan for saffronizing the state’s higher education sector.
“The higher education system is being saffronize entirely. As part of this, the Governor is making efforts. People in Kerala have been organised by the left and democratic organisations. In many areas, the people of Kerala have outperformed those of other states” stated MV Govindan.
Referring to the Vizhinjam port protest, in which fishermen were opposing the Adani port project, saying that it was not a natural port, he stated that the protest was not opposed, but the attempt to incite a riot was.
The protesting fisherman said that it was not a natural port and that if one went inside, they could see massive sand dunes heaped up from the sea.
The fishermen’s protest then became violent when the Vizhinjam Police detained five demonstrators for allegedly obstructing trucks in Thiruvananthapuram, resulting in a fight. Four of the five demonstrators were eventually freed.
Further, MV Govindan said “We did not object to individuals protesting. What was opposed was the attempt to incite a riot. Rioting and assaulting officers is very unacceptable. That is not correct, we said. Vizhinjam’s restoration will be completed by the government. Six of the seven demands made by Vizhinjam protestors have been met by the administration.”
Earlier on December 12, the Kerala High Court dismissed Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd and Howe Engineering Projects’ petition for security for their employees and property from Vizhinjam protestors.
