Thiruvananthapuram: The black flag protests in the state become a political and security issue as one wonders whether the ‘protest’ by the SFI activists against the Kerala Governor went too far. The alleged attack on the Governor, who comes under Z plus category level security, being reported to the President will turn into an administrative issue as far as the state is concerned.

The court questioned the police action in the incident, putting the spotlight on lapses of force. The Governor alleges that the CM conspired to perpetuate violence against him. He also said that the protestors were brought in a police vehicle. 

Although the CM and the Governor are of the same security category, the police were seen taking different approaches towards them. While no one is being allowed in the vicinity of the CM's motorcade, the Governor was attacked in the middle of the road. 

The ruling CPM alleged that the Governor violated protocol by stepping out of the vehicle. On the other hand, the Governor directed the Chief secretary and the DGP to file a case against the protestors under section 124 of the Indian Penal Code which deals with the security of the President and the Governor. 

Meanwhile, the opposition has been highlighting the 'double standards' of the state government in the attacks against the Governor and the Chief Minister, both of whom belong to the Z plus category. 

 The government’s earlier stance was to ignore the protests held by the UDF against the Nava Kerala Yatra and move on. The issue was blown out of proportion when a shoe was thrown at the bus carrying the Chief Minister and other ministers. Also, CPM intervened by directly ‘handling’ the protestors in many cases. The police also allegedly adopted an approach of giving party members free rein in dealing with the protestors. 

The BJP, which has not yet entered this scene of protests, is also reportedly preparing to become active. Since the SFI and the KSU, Youth Congress outfits have announced that they will continue their respective protests, the protest episodes are likely to become the burning topic for the coming days.