Former Kerala governor says permission of Arif Mohammed not needed when state moves Supreme Court

Former Kerala Governor P Sathasivam has reacted to the ongoing cold war in the state regarding the newly amended citizenship law.  Sathasivam said Kerala chief minister may inform the Governor about the issue as a courtesy, but it is not a duty to report.

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Governor P Sathasivam has reacted to the cold war between Kerala government and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan over Citizenship Amendment Act. He told media that the permission of a Governor is not needed when the state is approaching the Supreme Court.

He added that the chief minister may inform the Governor about the issue as a courtesy, but it is not a duty to report. Sathasivam also said that state government must inform important matters to the law minister or the chief secretary of the state.

The former Governor also said that the head of the state is the Governor and he would be informed on all matters by the law minister or the chief secretary of the state. "When I was the Governor, the law minister or the chief secretary of the state would give me all information about the state."

Earlier, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan slammed the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government, as they moved the Supreme Court against the newly amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on January 14. Reacting to this, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "It would be good if those speaking now spend time reading up on the Constitution. Everything is written in it. This is a country where democracy prevails and not the yesteryear's 'resident' who reigned supreme over local kingdoms. No resident is above the Assembly."

Kerala is the first state to approach the apex court against the CAA.

The Kerala government said the CAA violates Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India. The Act also violates the basic principle of secularism.