Open protest against Governor: Left front to protest in front of Raj Bhavan on November 15

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Left Front is all set to organize open protest against the Governor Arif Muhammad Khan. A protest rally will be held in front of the Raj Bhavan on November 15 to resist the move of RSS to saffronize higher education sector. The emergency LDF meeting held yesterday also decided to conduct a convention in Thiruvananthapuram on November 2.

As LDF convenor EP Jayarajan was ill, CPM state secretary MV Govindan and CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran announced the front's decision in a press conference. It has not been decided whether the Chief Minister will participate in the Raj Bhavan protest rally. Educational experts, students, social and cultural activists will participate. Protest conventions will be held at the district level before November 10, and at university and campus levels before November 12.

The leaders said that trying to disrupt the autonomy of universities and constantly threatening the Vice-chancellors is an insult to the position of the chancellor. The nominated senators of the Kerala University were dismissed without even giving notice by exercising excessive authority. The High Court has blocked the move to induct RSS workers instead. The Governor, who has not hesitated to openly say that he is an RSS supporter, has lashed out at academics in the country, calling them criminals. The situation is similar in non-BJP ruling states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Rajasthan. This is not a political struggle.

Kanam said the LDF would seriously discuss removing the governor from the post of chancellor. CPM central committee member Dr M Thomas Issac said that the BJP’s attempt to subvert the state government using the Governor will remain as a dream.

The CPM state secretariat has stated the Governor’s action demanding resignation of VCs of nine universities has violated all rules of democracy and suggested to raise strong protest against this.