Kerala Governor Upset After State Moves Top Court Against CAA, Demands Report

Upset after state government moved to the Supreme Court against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday said that he would not remain a "mute spectator" and would ensure the law of the land is upheld.

"The Constitution has to be upheld and this is not a personal fight," khan, who arrived from Bengaluru, told reporters here on Sunday evening. "I will not sit like a mute spectator... will ensure that the rules and law are upheld", he added.

The Governor took strong exception to the state government's decision to challenge the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) "without consulting" him and sought a report from the Chief Secretary.

On Tuesday, Kerala became first Indian state to challenge the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act in the Supreme Court. In it's plea, the Kerala government said that the Citizenship Act is in violation of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India as well as against the basic principle of secularism. The petition was filed under Article 131.

Also Read | Citizenship Act Will Have To Be Implemented In States: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan

Following the move, the turf war between the Kerala Governor and state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came out in open. Khan publicly expressed his displeasure over the state government's plea against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

"I have no issue with them going to Supreme Court but they should have informed me first. I being constitutional head come to know about it through newspapers. Clearly, I am not just a rubber stamp," Khan was quoted as saying.

Fuming over the state government's decision, Khan added, "This is breach of protocol and breach of courtesy. I will look into it whether the state government can go to the Supreme Court without the approval of the Governor. If not the approval, they could have just informed me."