Thiruvananthapuram: SFI state secretary P.M. Arsho criticized Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan for lashing out against its activists who staged a protest with black flags in Kollam on Saturday. 

The remark from the SFI leader came barely hours after high drama played out in the Kollam when Khan, facing SFI's black flag protest, got out of his car, took on the agitating left student wing members, sat on the roadside and criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Following the incident, the police booked 17 activists involved in the incident. 

Speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Arsho alleged that Khan was misusing his power and threatening the state police. He went on to say that Khan is a person who despises democratic modes of protest. 

Arsho announced that SFI would continue its protest and criticized the move by the state police to impose IPC Section 124 -Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power, against SFI activists. 

"He broke protocol by exiting his vehicle. The Governor is lying about being attacked (by protesters). Not one student has approached the Governor's vehicle. He (Khan) is attempting to portray a nonviolent protest as violent," Arsho stated.