Kannur University VC, a 'criminal', was part of a conspiracy to attack me: Kerala Governor

On Sunday, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan launched a vicious attack against the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Kannur University by referring to him as a “criminal.” When the Governor was invited to the university during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) agitations in the nation, he accused Vice Chancellor Gopinath Raveendran of being a member of the alleged conspiracy to harm the former.

He participated in the plot to harm me physically. He’s a bad guy. Political considerations are the reason he is serving as VC. The VC extended the invitation to me. When I was attacked, what was his duty? Was he not obligated to call the police and report it? Khan informed reporters in the nation’s capital that he did not do it. He asserted that the VC was instructed by the Raj Bhavan to report what happened on stage to the police, but he chose not to do so. “Generally speaking, I have no business criticising any VC. I have the ability to act if necessary. I am in control. Why should I address a crowd?

“But, I have been forced to speak publicly because this VC has crossed all limits of decency, of academic discipline. He has ruined Kannur University. More than a VC, he is a political cadre… He was behind the conspiracy to attack me at Kannur University,” Khan alleged.

The Governor claimed that he later learned from “quite high places” that the scheme had been conceived in Delhi. He asserted once more, “He (VC) was involved.” When asked what he would do when he got back to Kerala, Khan replied, “My only strategy is to organise the house. The university’s position is as such.” He said that he has always appreciated criticism because it “keeps me careful, straight, and law-abiding,” and that whatever action he takes will be based on competent legal counsel rather than to appease his own ego.

The VC did not immediately respond to the Governor’s accusations. Khan made his comments as tensions between the Governor and the ruling CPI(M) grew when the Governor used his position as chancellor to block the Kannur University’s plan to name Priya Varghese, the wife of former Rajya Sabha MP K K Ragesh, as Malayalam Associate Professor.