A Governor With a Difference.
A Governor With a Difference.
B. Birthday Greetings to Arif Muhammed Khan ji.
Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif MuhammedKhan has made himself an endearing person to thePeople of Kerala within a short span of time of his assuming the gubernatorial office in the most literal state in the Country.Even the very appointmentof Arif khan ji as the Governor here was a pleasant surprise as he was not a hardcore presence in the Ruling Parivar but was more a well known liberal, secular and progressive Muslim nationalist leader from his very younger days of public life.. Governor Khan was perhaps one of the youngest legislators in UP as he became an M.L.A. for the first time while j he was just 26. His initial innings in politics was in the BKD and the Congress teams but left it on differences with Rajiv Gandhi on the issue of Sairabanu case as he believed the Bill the Govt brought in Parliament was on all counts anti secular. He resigned from the cabinet.Janata Dal happened to be his next natural choice and was one of the very top leaders next only to V. P.. Singh.
He left V.P.Singh too later on conscientious differences.For a short span he aligned with the BSPbut that too did not digest with him for long as he developed ideologically strained equations with the BSP supremo Mayavathi. All through his public career Governor Khan had always kept liberal and secular views close and dear to his heart while keeping himself all these years essentially an ardentGandhist more than anything else. While politically leaning towards the BJP in later years, given the hard political realities in UP, the ruling dispensation in the Delhi Raiseena Hills — the South Block and theNorth Block ( PMO & MHA) — also found him an aptand appropriate choice to be sent to Kerala. And in no time he made himself one of the most popular Governors we ever had, leaving aside V. V. Giri, P. Ramachandran and Sikkander Bhakth. They too could easily, effortlessly and insightfully understand the essential mindset of the people of Kerala and allthe three won the hearts of them with their frank andforthright non- protocol style of transparency. Yetthey were all firm whenever they had to be so and never ever budged when they had to be strict. And the people too liked and loved their style of pullingthe state government back when they found the CMs or the Ministers ever overstepping the Lekshmanrekha.But their grace and greatness was they never tried to cross the borders of proprietyprescribed by the Constitution for their very sacredoffice even while having differences on issues withthose in power in the state.
Governor Arifkhanji has also proved on more than one occasion his political prudence and acumen in avoiding possibly sensitive situations which otherwise might have perhaps led to embarrassingrope walking for both sides later. How nicely Khanjihad shown the courtesy of reading those portionsof the Governor’s Address about which he had hisown justifiable personal reasons for reservations, once the Chief Minister of ” his own ” government conveyed to him in writing his wish that the Hon’ble Governor read that portion too. And the Governoryielded very gracefully to the C.M’s wish , causing apparent disappointment to the opposition. It was certainly a proof of the seasoned statesmanship quality of the Governor acquired through his practicalexperience as Minister in U.P and later in the Centre, as also because of his proven skill as a brilliant Parliamentarian for many years.As the Chancellor of the Universities, Arif Khanji had shown his tough face on the one hand when he saw attempts from the Minister or the govt to downgrade the State Universities to the level of mere govt departments, and his commendable maturity and prudence not to precipitate any controversy that might affect thecredibility of the Universities.
Arif Muhamed Khan’s name was nationally knownduring the days of the Jan Morcha led by V.P. Singhand later while in the government led by VPS .Arun Nehru, Arif Khan and Arun Singh were considered the trio in V.P’s political parivar. They were then deemed theconscience keepers of V.P. Singh when he took over as the Prime Minister consequent to the Bofors scandal and the Janmorcha’s electoral victory. Butunfortunately the Janatha dal govt also did n’t last.The Janamorcha also underwent the metamorphosisof split which has become an inevitable part of India’s political process till date. I believe Shri Arif Mohamed Khan’s elevation as the Governor of Kerala cannot be considered a casual event. It might have been done after prolonged homework in the South Block ( HomeMinistry), given not only Kerala’s political mindset but also the inherent political complexities here.
As it is, Arif Khanji has been sent to Kerala to stay. And he seems to have made himself here truly comfortable too.The people also seems very comfortable with their Governor. I have had two occasions to meet him. One soon after his assuming of office when he came to attend a meeting organised by the Sarvodaya Mandal at Kottayam “Chaithanya” in connection with the 150thBirthday Celebrations of Gandhiji and Kasthurbai. He made a brilliant talk on the Mahatma and his everrelevant philosophy of non-violence and religiousamity. Governor walked down to the floor to greet individually every delegate. While leaving the hall, walking down the steps, I asked him whether he would mind having a cup of tea provided the rulesof protocol permits. With a smile he quipped thattea has no protocol.We had to walk a 100 metresand more to the main building for tea which hehappily walked up. The sisters who served the teaasked me whether they can have a selfie with the Governor.
Even before my asking him, he understood what they wished to have and happily agreed. He spent more than 15 minutes there with the sisterswho made tea for him and then took leave with a pleasant namasthe. No doubt, on all counts a people’s Governor!!
The next event was in the P.O.C in Kochi a few months later. It was an All Religious Meet, organised by the Acharya Guru Swamy Sachidananda Bharathi of the Dharma Bharathi Ashram,Kochi. Representatives from almost all religious shades came for the Event. .Governor Arif Mohammad Khan was the Chief Guest and beautifully spoke on the theme of Faith Fellowship of which he happens to be a champion. He wishes the youth to more actively rally round the cause faith harmony.There he recognised me at once while meeting the delegates, going round the Hall. I did notice that theGovernor was trying to mingle with as many people as possible wherever he goes.After his tenure, if heever prefers to contest an election from Kerala ,there may certainly be a fair chance of winning the seat,if he can retain his present style of winning the hearts of the people. Certainly they seem like him as he is —- honest, forthright, open, blunt, courteous and transparent, besides being a confirmed nationalist, and one genuinely secular, politically progressive and truly liberal. And moreover he is young enough to be considered for higher constitutional assignments in the days ahead, God willing!!!
Many many happy returns of the day Arif Khanji.
Ayushman Bhava.
CYRIAC THOMAS.