Mired in controversies, marred by clashes, Arif’s days were full of drama and suspense

Thiruvananthapuram: Arif Mohammed Khan is the only Governor in Kerala’s history who has fought and stood against the government more than the opposition.

Although disagreements and cold wars between Governors and governments are not uncommon, they are usually resolved with mutual respect. However, this was not the case with Arif Mohammed Khan and the Kerala government. He took to the streets to counter SFI protests, wrote to the President claiming the state government failed to provide him security, and put the government in a dilemma regarding signing bills. He even engaged in legal battles with the government over university powers. Arif Mohammed Khan’s tenure as Governor will be marked as a chapter of continuous conflict in Kerala’s administrative history.

The Governor openly supported the central government on issues like the farmers’ protests and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), taking a stand that seemed to echo the Centre’s views. In both cases, the opposition aligned with the state government. At one point, the opposition even demanded a resolution to recall the Governor. However, on the Lok Ayukta amendment, both the opposition and the Governor shared the same stance.

The friction escalated over matters like the appointment of university Vice-Chancellors, determining syndicate members, and the ensuing SFI protests. The withholding of bills further deepened the confrontation between the Chief Minister and the Governor.

SFI's declaration that they would block the Governor's way and not allow him into the university was met with a bold challenge by Arif Mohammed Khan, who stayed at the Calicut University campus and walked through Mithai Theruvu. He filed a complaint with the DGP alleging attempts to attack him and sought central forces for his security, which was eventually ensured. The Governor dismissed Vice-Chancellors appointed by the government and used his position as Chancellor to appoint new ones, waging a continuous battle with the government.

When the Governor made withholding bills a regular practice, the state government approached the Supreme Court, prompting conciliatory moves from the Governor.

There were other unusual actions from the Governor, such as withdrawing approval for the Finance Minister, barring ministers from entering Raj Bhavan, and expressing displeasure over Saji Cherian's reappointment as minister after his controversial anti-constitutional remarks. During Saji Cherian’s swearing-in ceremony, the Governor conveyed his discontent by not exchanging a single word with the Chief Minister.

Arif Mohammed Khan’s tenure ended on September 5. Even as the CPM mocked him as a "caretaker Governor," he never retreated from his stance.