The Kanhaiya question

"Is Kanhaiya Kumar a big threat to you?" It is a question frequently asked of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders these days. The responses vary depending on whether it is asked at a press conference or during off-the-record conversations. On Tuesday, reporters asked the same to Union minister Prakash Javadekar. "No" came the reply. Javadekar was addressing a press conference to criticise the "bankruptcy" of some Congress and Left leaders for likening the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president (pictured) to Bhagat Singh. Media persons wondered why the BJP was spending so much time on Kumar. Another leader accused the media of creating needless hype around Kumar, but couldn't explain the frequent statements and press conferences by BJP leaders to discredit him. It had seemed Kumar had Left leaders confused, but now even others like BJP leaders are a worried lot with his plans to visit universities and colleges across India.