Students Federation of India (SFI) activists staged spirited protests inside and outside the campus of the University of Calicut at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district on Saturday evening as Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan arrived there on a three-day visit amid tight security.
Addressing the media at the university guest house, Mr. Khan repeated his allegation that those protesting against him were “criminals hired by the Chief Minister”. “... I am not aware of the protest, where is the protest? Whatever protest is there, it is sponsored by the Chief Minister personally because he wants to divert attention from [the financial] crisis in the State,” Mr. Khan said. Asked about the alleged bid to “saffronise the universities”, he said Kerala had the largest number of ancient temples in the country and asked whether they all can be removed. Mr. Khan also said that according to verses in the Koran, saffron was the colour best suited for the eyes.
The SFI activists began their protest on the campus around 4 p.m., a couple of hours before the Governor was supposed to reach there. A large number of SFI activists, carrying placards and black flags, took out marches from two sides of the campus to the guest house where Mr. Khan is staying.
