Governor Arif Mohammad Khan 'Must Resign' if He Wants to Take Up Political Work, Says Kerala CPM Chief Amid Row Over CAA-NRC
The remarks by Balakrishnan came hours after the Governor was allegedly heckled on the stage by historian Irfan Habib after he attempted to quote Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to justify the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Thiruvananthapuram, December 29: The Kerala-ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) lashed out at Governor Arif Mohammad Khan over his spat with historian Irfan Habib earlier on Sunday. CPI(M) state unit chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan asked the Governor to submit his resignation and return to full-time politics if his aim is to further the political interests of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Says Eminent Historian Irfan Habib Tried to Disrupt His Speech.
"All citizens have the right to conduct political activities. If Governor (Arif Mohammad Khan) doesn't recognize the limitations of the present position, he should resign and take up full-time political work," said Balakrishnan, the CPI(M) Kerala state secretary.
The remarks by Balakrishnan came hours after the Governor was allegedly heckled on the stage by historian Irfan Habib after he attempted to quote Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to justify the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Habib, alleged Khan, came charging towards him after he began quoting the founding fathers. The historian asked him to "quote Godse" instead of "misquoting" the independence movement leaders who had envisaged an India free of religious bias.
Watch Governor Khan Levelling Serious Allegations Against Irfan Habib
The incident was reported at the Indian History Congress session called in Kannur, where the Governor was invited as the chief guest. Before Khan rose to spoke, other dignitaries at the event lashed out at the Centre-ruling BJP fro bringing the CAA ahead of the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Apart from being allegedly heckled inside the venue, several students raised placards and slogans against the Governor for supporting the Centre's CAA-NRC project. Chants of "Kerala Governor shame shame" were also raised inside the venue by some of the student delegates. Four among them were detained by the police for heckling the Governor but shortly released.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2019 08:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).