The uneasy calm and silence that shrouded the campus ever since the JNU row started was broken by the exuberance of the students who unanimously lent their voice to the clarion calls being raised inside the campus on Kanhaiya’s release. Songs and poetry flooded the lanes of the prestigious campus as students waved placards in support of their president.
“Kanhaiya ki bail sachai ki jeet hai lekin utpidan ke khilaf hamri jung jari rahegi” (The release of Kanhaiya is a victory of truth but our fight against oppression will continue), said cheerful students.
While reacting on the release of Kumar, JNUSU vice-president Shehla Rashid Shora said: “The JNUSU welcomes the conditional bail granted to comrade Kumar. We have carried out this “victory march” tonight to celebrate the bail of Kumar. The victory march started from the Sabarmati Dhaba and after a few kilometres ended at the administration block.
The JNU students and teachers while participating in the march shouted slogans such as “Lal salam, Kanhaiya ko lal salam” (Red salute to Kanhaiya), “Kadam kadam par lada hai hum, kadam kadam par ladenge hum” (We have fought in every step and will continue doing so).
The JNU teachers’ association also welcomed the release of Kumar. “We welcome the release of Kumar and this was expected from the judiciary. The JNU community is happy after hearing the news of his release,” JNUTA said.
Earlier in the day, dubbing the BJP-led NDA government as “anti-Dalit” and “anti-students”, the students and the faculty members of JNU on Wednesday took out a march to Parliament, demanding ouster of Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Smriti Irani for her alleged distortion of facts on Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula suicide issue, defaming JNU and allegedly suppressing its students in false cases.
Timeline
? Feb 9: Protest march held in JNU campus to commemorate the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
? Feb 10: JNU administration orders a “disciplinary” inquiry into the event.
? Feb 12: JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar arrested, sparking massive outrage among students.
? Feb 15: Police claims Kanhaiya had raised anti-national slogans during controversial event in JNU.
? Feb 15: Violence in Patiala House Courts with lawyers attacking journalists, JNU students and teachers.
? Feb 17: Another scuffle in Patiala House Courts as men dressed in lawyers’ robes allegedly beat up scribes and students.
? Feb 17: Kanhaiya remanded in judicial custody till March 2 by Delhi court.
? Feb 18: 6-member panel submits report on Patiala House violence to SC.
? Feb 19: Kanhaiya moves HC for bail.
? Feb 23: JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya move HC seeking police protection prior to surrender.
? Feb 24: Umar and Anirban arrested.
? March 2: High Court grants six months’ interim bail to Kanhaiya.