JNU row: MP Congress to hold 'Freedom from Sanghvad' day on February 22

On Wednesday, the state's BJP unit had announced it would observe 'Dhikkar Diwas' on February 21

As Madhya Pradesh BJP gears up to hold a state-wide protest tomorrow to condemn the shouting of "anti-national" slogans at JNU, the state Congress today said it would observe 'Freedom from Sanghvad Day' on Monday.

State Congress President Arun Yadav told reporters here the party would hold 'Sanghvad se Mukti Diwas' (Freedom from Sanghvad Day) on February 22.

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On Wednesday, the state BJP had announced it would observe 'Dhikkar Diwas' (Condemnation Day) on February 21 against the shouting of "anti-national" slogans at JNU.

Yadav, who staged an an-hour long dharna at his party office here, alleged the students who raised the anti-national slogans were ABVP members and should be arrested.

"Sangh Parivar was involved in anti-national sloganeering on the JNU campus and not (JNUSU president) Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested," he said.

Yadav and state Congress spokesperson K K Mishra also countered BJP's criticism of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi for "supporting anti-nationals" over the issue.

They said their leader Gandhi is a patriot and his family members, including father Rajiv Gandhi, attained martyrdom. He is being "hounded" by Sangh Parivar, they said.

"The Sangh Parivar double speaks on nationalism. Its political outfit, BJP, is hobnobbing for power with PDP and Akali Dal, which are known for their anti-national stand," Mishra alleged.

State BJP chief Nandkumar Singh Chauhan, in a press conference shortly before the Congress leaders, said his party has made all preparations to hold 'Dhikkar Diwas' tomorrow.

"We strongly condemn the act of some people, who had raised anti-national slogans at JNU campus and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, who supported these people in the name of freedom of expression," Chauhan said.