Ho-hum on Twitter over Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya 'surrender’
Alleged “anti-nationals” accused of sedition and avowed communist atheists, JNU scholars Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya “surrendered” last night to Delhi Police after Delhi High Court refused to stay their arrest on Tuesday evening.
Along with their legal representatives and a few JNU professors, Khalid and Bhattacharya were taken to a South Delhi police station, where they were kept overnight, to be produced in court today for the hearing of their bail application, along with JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s.
Charged for allegedly raising “anti-India” slogans at a gathering to protest Afzal Guru’s hanging on February 9 at the JNU campus, Khalid and Bhattacharya, along with three other accused, have been made into India’s “most wanted”, with the Central government, ministry of home affairs as well as Delhi Police firmly standing ground over the young men’s assumed criminality.
Indian national media is split in the middle with a number of TV channels spewing hypernationalistic venom against Khalid et al, despite India Today TV’s scathing exposé showing the videos circulated to pin Khalid, Kanhaiya and others were in fact doctored.
Shehla Rashid Shora, JNUSU vice-president tweeted last night:
Friends, this is to inform you that Comrade Umar and Comrade Anirban have surrendered themselves to the police.... https://t.co/auvOQEzpIC
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) February 23, 2016
Surrender was considered the best option for Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya keeping their physical and legal safety in mind. Since Sunday night, when Khalid et al resurfaced, and gave a rousing speech saying “My name is Umar Khalid and I am nota terrorist”, JNU students and teachers have kept a strict vigil on the campus, and have ensured that Delhi Police cops don’t enter the hallowed premises again. In fact, even media has not been allowed at all times, particularly some of the virulent TV channels.
JNU students and teachers have been organised marches and protests everyday, with a big one planned at Jantar Mantar today.
Twitter has been abuzz with reactions ranging from grief, shock, disbelief to frankly abhorrent and vindictive expressions at the “anti-nationals”.
BJP Law :Pick a student Brand him anti nationalSpread fake videos Beat him in courtprove not guilty #KhalidSurrenders
— மு.அன்பழகன் (@anbu2089) February 24, 2016
Guess strategy is clear now: BJP wants to bully India's liberals into silence or submission before it goes after Muslims #KhalidSurrenders
— Nadim Asrar (@_sufiyana_) February 24, 2016
Rule of law must apply to JNU and Patiala House: students must surrender, lawyers must be arrested.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 23, 2016
Absolutely fake charges based on fake & doctored evidence. #KhalidSurrenders https://t.co/kXS10ZcHzA
— Shariqul Bari (@ShariqulBari) February 23, 2016
Absolutely fake charges based on fake & doctored evidence. #KhalidSurrenders https://t.co/kXS10ZcHzA
— Shariqul Bari (@ShariqulBari) February 23, 2016
LOL, Congratulations Govt & Police for giving Umar, Anirban & Co precisely what they wanted: a high-profile ride into politics.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 23, 2016
Oxford University stands with JNU pic.twitter.com/JMtwTS2QAG
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) February 23, 2016
Students, campus life, youthful recklessness & a blundering govt bellowing sedition. Would be a JOKE if young lives hadn't been ruined.
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) February 23, 2016
This is wicked even by the high standards of @rprasad66 one of our sharpest cartoonists in a long time pic.twitter.com/Bd3ckAX5mv
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 23, 2016
Whistling, the torturer lays out his tools; singing, the students march, and a state goes to war against a country it swore to protect.
— Omair Ahmad (@OmairTAhmad) February 23, 2016
Btw, even if Khalid gets off from sedition, from the female reaction at JNU when he resurfaced, Love Jihad is always there.
— Shoaib Daniyal (@ShoaibDaniyal) February 23, 2016
Criticizing Afzal Guru's hanging Seditious, Hailing Godse, hanged by Saudi Sharia Court, as a martyr is patriotic. #KhalidSurrenders
— Samar (@Samar_Anarya) February 24, 2016
Meanwhile:
We in @mail_today broke #JNU Afzal show story, set the agenda. Today's front page brags a bit :-) #KhalidSurrenders pic.twitter.com/ZI3bwtI7lX
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) February 24, 2016