AAP leader extends support to JNU students

Aam Aadmi Party leader and tribal activist Soni Sori on Monday visited Jawaharlal Nehru University here to express solidarity with the students agitating for the release of those still in judicial custody in a sedition case.

Sori, who was attacked in Bastanar in Chhattisgarh by unknown assailants on February 20, also addressed the students in front of the varsity administration block and assured of support to the students.

Two JNU students -- Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya -- are currently in 14-day judicial custody.

"The moment (JNU Students Union president) Kanhaiya Kumar came back from prison, I was extremely happy. We all are now waiting for the other two students to come out and be amongst us again," Sori said.

"When I was studying, I was told that children and students are the country's future. Now those very students are branded anti-nationals. How will the country progress like this? It is sad to see the fight you all involved in," she said.

Sori also spoke about her struggle against the Chhattisgarh government for targeting of tribals in the state.

"It is the tribals who are struggling in this fight between the government and Maoists. We are tormented in the name of Maoists. Even we want azadi (freedom) from all of this. Today, I'm happy to be able to keep this issue in front of you since JNU students have always stood for our struggle," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.

Six JNU students, including Khalid and Bhattacharya, were charged with sedition after anti-India slogans were raised at an event held on the campus on February 9 to protest against the execution of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in Tihar jail in 2013.