Condemn anti-Constitutional activities on University soil: JNU

Strongly condemning the use of the varsity soil as a platform for activities that violate the Constitution, the Jawaharlal University, which is embroiled in the row over the event there against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, said on Friday that a high-level enquiry committee has been constituted and appropriate action will be taken.

"Along with the Deans Committee, the University takes serious note of the incidents on campus on the evening of February 9th. A high-level enquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the matter and take appropriate action as necessary. While the JNU community upholds the right to free debate on campus, the University strongly condemns the use of the University as a platform for activities that violate the Constitution and the laws of the land," JNU Public Relations Officer Poonam S. Kudaisya said in a statement.

Stating that there could be aberrations where fringe sections misuse the freedom provided, she added that the University would also take steps to protect the academic atmosphere and the environment for vibrant discussion that 'JNU has always provided and stands for'.

"All sections of the JNU community including representatives of the students, teachers and karmacharis have assured that they uphold the values and ethos of this University. It is an appeal to all sections to go beyond this incident and return the campus to normalcy," the statement added.

Earlier today, JNU student union president Kanhaiyya Kumar was arrested and the JNUSU has slammed the police accusing them of being in league with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for going on a 'witch-hunt'.

"JNUSU President, Comrade Kanhaiyya has been arrested. Police are doing rounds of the campus and mindlessly witch-hunting activists. RSS is running campaigns to shut down JNU. Media has successfully demonized and witch-hunted us, despite the fact that no JNU student ever raised any unprincipled slogan. In fact, we stopped these slogans that called for India's division and destruction. You know why? Because we don't believe in politics of division and destruction. We believe in uniting people," the statement by the JNUSU Vice President Shahla Rashid said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has taken a firm stand on the matter, condemning the incident saying that firm action will be taken and 'anti-national' activities will not be tolerated or spared.

"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. What happened in JNU was unfortunate and for that, I have already given the necessary instructions to the Delhi Police Commissioner," Home Minister Rajnath told ANI.

Echoing similar sentiments, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani said the nation will never tolerate "insult" to mother India.

Marking the death anniversary of Guru, a group of students on Tuesday held an event on the campus and shouted slogans against government for hanging him, despite varsity administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by ABVP members, who termed the activity as "anti-national".