THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has come out against the government's intervention in the state's universities. He also wrote a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing his opposition. In the letter, the governor said that he can step down from the chancellor's position and the government can remove him if necessary. The letter also alleges that politics is rampant in universities.

It is reported that the governor has expressed his dissatisfaction with various issues including the reappointment of the Vice Chancellor of Kannur. It is also reported that the search committee did not give names for the appointment of Kalady Sanskrit University VC, which led to the governor's protest. The search committee itself was eliminated because the list was not provided. Shortly afterwards, the government gave one name for the position of VC. The governor has expressed strong dissatisfaction with this.

The governor first issued a letter of protest four days ago. The government responded by saying it would take the governor into confidence. But the governor rejected the reply and issued a second letter yesterday. The finance minister and the chief secretary went directly to the palace and tried to persuade him, but the governor refused.