Left questions arrest of JNUSU president

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Feb 12 2016 | 4:02 PM IST
Left parties today questioned the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and asked Delhi Police to not act in "connivance" with ABVP to target "entire Left" even as they likened the ongoing developments in the varsity campus to "situations during Emergency".
The Communist parties also condemned raising of anti-India slogans by "certain" elements and asked police to take action against those concerned in accordance with law, but not target members of students' wings of the Left front.
"As a political party, we condemn any anti-India slogan. If law enforcing authorities want to act against those elements, let them do it in accordance with law. But in the name of taking action against such elements, they should not target entire Left students' bodies," CPI national secretary D Raja said.
"By targeting general students, they (ABVP) are creating a sense of terror in the campus. Delhi Police should not act in connivance with ABVP, targeting the entire Left," he said.
He said Kumar, besides being JNUSU president, is a member of All India Students' Federation (AISF) - students' wing of CPI - which, he added, has a "glorious" history and had played key role in freedom movement.
"Where was the ABVP then (during freedom movement)? Kanhaiya is a JNUSU president, but he is also AISF leader. They (police) should know which organisation they are dealing with," he said.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also expressed concerns over the developments and said the actions against students resembled to "situations during Emergency".
"What is happening in JNU? Police on campus, arrests and picking up students from hostels. This had last happened during Emergency," he tweeted.
Kanhaiya was arrested today in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of an event at the prestigious institute against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 12 2016 | 4:02 PM IST

Next Story