The arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) President Kanhaiya Kumar on Friday in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of an event at the institute, against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, snowballed into a major political controversy.
The JNU administration on Friday issued a statement saying the varsity is not a platform for activities that violate the constitution. “While the JNU community upholds the right to free debate on campus, the university strongly condemns its use as a platform for activities that violate the Constitution and the laws of the land. However, there could be aberrations where fringe sections misuse the freedom provided,” said the newly appointed Vice Chancellor Jagdeesh Kumar. “The university takes serious note of the incidents on campus on the evening of February 9. A high-level enquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the matter and take appropriate action as necessary,” he added.
Kumar has been remanded to three days police custody till February 15. A case was registered on Thursday under Sections of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) Police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and the ABVP.
Protests rocked the university for the third day with students demanding institute’s intervention into the manner in which police picked up students for questioning. JNUSU condemned the arrest, saying the students are being “witch-hunted” and police is targeting them mindlessly. “The police is mindlessly patrolling the campus and the students are being witch-hunted and demonized for doing nothing. What is the proof that Kanhaiya was there among those raising anti-India slogans? Has he been spotted in any picture or video? Why are all JNU students being given ‘anti-national’ certificates,” said JNUSU Vice President Shahla Rashid. Over 200 members of the ABVP were detained on Friday for protesting against the students of JNU who raised anti-India slogans. “We have detained members of ABVP who were protesting at the India Gate over the recent JNU controversy. They have been detained for the violation of Section 144,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Jatin Narwal.
The Left criticized the government for arresting the students and compared the developments of the day to “situations during Emergency”. “By targeting general students, they (ABVP) are creating a sense of terror in the campus. Delhi Police should not act in connivance with the ABVP, targeting the entire Left,” CPI National Secretary D Raja said.
Earlier in the day, Home Minister Rajnath Singh warned of ‘strongest possible’ action against those involved in raising anti-India slogans at an event in JNU campus, saying such activities will not be tolerated. He said, “When someone is in the country and raises anti-national statements, raising questions on India’s unity, diversity and sovereignty then they won’t be forgiven.”