Seminar in Nagpur was deferred under pressure, Yechury alleges

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today alleged that a seminar at the Nagpur University where he was to be the chief guest was postponed under political pressure.
The Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University two days ago indefinitely postponed a seminar on 'Erosion of Indian Democracy: Challenges and Solutions' on March 18 and 19, organised by the Post-graduate Department of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Thought of the varsity.
Speaking to reporters here, Yechury said, "There was definitely some political pressure. The Vice Chancellor should clarify whose pressure it was.
"If there was any possibility of law and order situation arising because of my visit, the VC should also state if there was any report on the same from the Intelligence Bureau," he said.

The VC had cited apprehension of law and order situation as the reason for postponement.
To a question, Yechury said the leftist-democratic parties in the country should form a mega-alliance for 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier, delivering a lecture at Dr Ambedkar College here, Yechury said the democracy in India cannot be saved without protecting the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.
These principles were under attack in the country "in the name of nationalism", he said, adding that protecting them was the real nationalism.
"We salute the soldiers guarding our borders. Similarly , the youth in our country and universities who are struggling and fighting for making a new and better India are also the soldiers of this nation," said the CPI(M) leader.