JNU row: Expose those who want Bharat ki barbadi

The prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is in the headlines these days. Not because of cutting-edge research or any academic achievement, but because at the university some people were caught on camera chanting:

Bharat ki barbadi tak jung rahegi...

Kashmir ki azadi tak jung rahegi...

Afzal ke armano ko manzil tak le jayenge...

Bandook ke bal par.. azadi..

Afzal hum sharminda hain, tere qatil zinda hain...

And so on.

Kanhaiya Kumar, the president of JNU Students Union was taken into custody and has been charged with sedition. A court will decide whether the police have evidence to prove this charge, but the images from JNU have raised some disturbing questions.

One of the organisers of the "cultural event" at JNU on February 9 was Umar Khalid, a research scholar. He is learnt to be a part of the Democratic Students Union and has been quoted as saying: "I am against the occupation of Kashmir by the Indian state. I want to make it apparent I am not from Kashmir but believe what is happening in Kashmir is Indian occupation of Kashmir." So who are these people who are ranting about "bharat ki barbadi" (destruction of India) sitting in the heart of the national capital. And who are the people encouraging young scholars to focus more on "Afzal ke arman" (wishes of Afzal Guru..to attack temple of democracy) than their own "parents ke arman" (wishes of their parents) of good education.

Two issues here. Kanhaiya Kumar says his fight is against poverty, price rise and unemployment. Another protesting scholar spoke of struggle against rising sexual crimes against women and lower castes. The fight is against communal forces and riots. That is very noble and more power to the scholars.

My question is how is this achieved by chanting Bharat ki barbadi tak jung rahegi? Also does ranting "bharat ki barbadi tak jung rahegi" come in the category of freedom of speech and expression? When we pay taxes and those taxes also subsidise education including of those who shout Afzal ke armano ko manzil tak le jayenge – do I, as a tax-paying citizen, have a right to ask questions?

That said, the assault on Kanhaiya Kumar, his supporters and journalists in the Patiala House courts is disgusting.

The police should identify all those involved in it and take the strictest possible action against them. The police should also explain how could this happen twice. This gives those defending the likes of Umar Khalid a chance to deflect the issue from anti-India slogans at JNU to the unpardonable actions at the Patiala House court. Lawyers of all the people should know they should file a petition in court against the anti-national rants at JNU or at Jadavpur university or as intelligence reports indicate trouble being fomented in 18 other universities.

Did the police act in haste? Delhi Police putting out the so-called Hafiz Mohammed Saeed tweet, duly reported by yours truly both on Twitter and anchored on air – does raise questions. On what basis did the Delhi Police say forces hostile to India – including the likes of Hafiz Saeed could try and take advantage of the trouble on the campus? It is a fact that the Jamat-ud-Dawa has been carrying out a series of social media initiatives across Pakistan.

But is there anything to indicate they are trying to fish in troubled waters in India? Both the Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi and the union home minister Rajnath Singh seem to think so. While we must all condemn the attack on journalists and on Kanhaiya Kumar and his supporters, we must also equally seek action against those who rant against India (Bharat ki barbadi tak jung rahegi) at JNU and other universities. BJP MLA OP Sharma’s attack on a CPI student leader is unacceptable and legal action should be taken against the MLA. It is also just what the doctor ordered for those who want to deflect attention from anti-India chants at the university.

Sedition or not courts will decide – but so-called scholars who want Bharat-ki-barbadi in my opinion do not deserve tax payers-funded scholarships, university grants, hostels and government jobs. My taxes are for India’s growth not for Bharat-ki-barbadi. I also have a bone to pick with those who are desperately trying to turn nationalism into a cuss word. It is a spirit that must be inculcated in every Indian. A feeling of pride for India is a very good thing and must be encouraged.

The people who beat up journalists, Kanhaiya Kumar and his supporters are playing right into the hands of those who want to rant `Bharat ki barbadi tak jung rahegi’ in the garb of free speech and free thought.

Goonda-ism is not nationalism. Expose these goondas. Jail them. But also jail those who ask for Bharat-ki-barbadi. A spark neglected burns the house. Unless the mess at JNU is not sorted out effectively, the fire could well spread to other universities and damage the nation.

Expose those who indulge in dirty politics on the issue – nationalism is not a cuss word. It should never be allowed to become one.