Proud of my relationship with RSS: Kerala Governor

Khan talks about clashes with govt and what is ailing universities in Kerala

29-Arif-Mohammad-Khan Arif Mohammad Khan | J. Suresh

In mid-August, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan stayed the appointment of Priya Varghese, wife of CPI(M) leader and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s private secretary K.K. Ragesh, as associate professor at Kannur University. He termed the appointment as a case of “favouritism and nepotism”, even as Vice Chancellor Gopinath Ravindran maintained that there was no irregularity in the selection process.

The vice chancellor simply ignored all norms and rules to please his political masters. How will you describe a man who habitually breaks the law and becomes party to a conspiracy hatched to assault the chancellor?

The row has further worsened the strained ties between the governor and Vice Chancellor Ravindran. Khan recently called Ravindran a “criminal”, saying he behaves more like a party worker than an academic. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, he spoke in detail about his differences with the CPI(M)-led government, and denied allegations that he was acting on behalf of the RSS. “I am not a member of RSS, but I have great respect for the RSS,” Khan said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ The CPI(M) alleges that you are acting as an RSS-BJP tool to topple the government.

A/ There is nothing new about this allegation. When I was appointed governor, I had said that I was not a member of any political party. In fact, I had decided in 2007 to withdraw from electoral politics and devote the rest of my time to the study of Indian culture and civilisation. I had also said that I was not a member of the RSS, but I have great respect for the RSS. I admire their work, particularly in education. It is true that, after 1986, I have addressed many meetings organised by the RSS and its affiliates. I was also an occasional contributor to Organiser and Panchjanya, their official organs. I am proud of my relationship with them.

Q/ The government has introduced a bill to limit your powers as chancellor. Do you think this would boost nepotism in universities?

A/ As chancellor, I have received many complaints related to irregularities in university appointments. In fact, things reached boiling point [in December 2021] when I wrote to the chief minister that he take over as chancellor and appoint men of his choice directly instead of asking me to do so. He tried to reason with me in three letters, saying that the government has a role to play but they want me to continue as chancellor. I rejected the proposals and made it clear that the convention of making the governor the ex officio chancellor was to ensure that the executive does not interfere in university matters and academic autonomy is preserved. He finally wrote to me assuring noninterference; only then did I agree to continue as chancellor.

But now, despite this assurance, they have crossed all limits. The vice chancellor of Kannur University decided to appoint the spouse of the chief minister’s private secretary as associate professor, disregarding all norms and rules. The appointment appeared to be a case of gross favouritism and nepotism; I had no option but to stay it.

A few months earlier, the vice chancellor of Kannur University had constituted the board of studies in utter violation of the provisions of the law. He misled the university syndicate to exercise powers that belonged to the chancellor. The matter went to the High Court and his decision was set aside.

The vice chancellor of Kannur University does not behave like an academic; he behaves like a political party worker.

Q/ Your decision to not re-promulgate 11 ordinances—including a controversial one that curtailed the Lok Ayukta’s powers—forced the cabinet to call a special assembly session. Do you consider this as a victory for democracy? Also, what is your expectation from the government for ending this particular tussle?

A/ I am very happy that the government summoned the assembly session to pass the bills, which they had earlier proposed to be issued as ordinances. The assembly has full right to adopt these measures. But my duty is defined by my oath. I need to satisfy myself that these measures do not contravene the Constitution and its spirit.

Q/ You said the Kannur University vice chancellor was a “criminal”. Why?

A/ The vice chancellor had invited me to Kannur University to inaugurate the Indian History Congress in 2019. It was his duty to ensure that there was no departure from the approved minute-to-minute programme, which was for 60 minutes. Yet [historian] Irfan Habib was allowed to speak for more than half an hour. In his speech, Habib directed many critical questions to me. I listened to them patiently.

Finally, after I rose to speak and respond to the critical remarks, Habib rose from his seat in less than five minutes and charged towards me. My aide-de-camp, Lt Manoj Yadav, did not allow him to come near me. Habib tore his shirt and then tried to assault me. He grappled with the security personnel for a few minutes, and they pushed him back into his seat. The meeting was disrupted and I had to cut short my speech without being able to answer the questions Habib had raised.

The Indian Penal Code clearly lays down in section 124 that anyone who attempts wrongfully to restrain, or overawe by means of criminal force, or attempts to overawe the governor, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that extends to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Despite this provision, the vice chancellor did not report the matter to the police. In fact, when Raj Bhavan asked him to send the report of this attempted assault, he wrote that he is not a security expert to write such reports.

The fact is that the VC knew about the assault plan and he invited me to Kannur University so that Habib and others on the dais could carry out the plan. This should not surprise anybody, as Habib and his associates subscribe to a political ideology that endorses the use of force against those who do not agree with their politics and ideology. If one is a party to a conspiracy to assault and overawe someone for political reasons, then it is a criminal action, pure and simple.

The VC recently constituted the university’s board of studies and misled the syndicate to exercise powers that belonged to the chancellor. His order was set aside by the honourable High Court. In the matter of appointing an associate professor, he simply ignored all norms and rules to please his political masters. In this case again, the honourable High Court passed a stay order. How will you describe a man who habitually breaks the law and becomes party to a conspiracy hatched to assault the chancellor by inviting him to the university?

Q/ Do you think the state government is resorting to extraordinary measures to attain its goals?

A/ In the matter of universities, their only interest is in appointing vice chancellors, which according to law is the responsibility of the chancellor. Even the proposed [amendment to] the university law deals only with the constitution of the selection committee, for the appointment of pliable vice chancellors. If I had not stayed the appointment of associate professor at Kannur University, they would not have brought this bill.

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