How Politics affect the universities : JNU Case

What led to the fiasco?

Students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University organized an event on Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru who was hanged in 2013. This was to be done the day after Guru’s third death anniversary. The event organizers had pasted posters across the campus inviting students to gather for a protest march against “judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat” and in solidarity with the “struggle” of Kashmiri migrants at the Sabarmati dhaba in the campus.

The programme called “A country without a post office — against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt”, was supposed to showcase the protest through poetry, art and music.

This set off the row, with the Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging a protest to demand expulsion of the organizers.

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The university administration ordered a “disciplinary” enquiry and said the event organizers “went ahead without permission.”

ABVP members alleged that the protest march consisted of students shouting ‘anti-India’ slogans. A purported video from the event shows students shouting anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans. Students in the video are heard saying slogans like: “Kashmir ki azadi tak bharat ki azadi tak, janh rahegi jari”.

As per students: The programme was a cultural evening organized to question the working of the Supreme Court. It was also meant to bring the grievances of the Kashmiri citizens to light. The struggles of ‘self-determination’ must be openly spoken about. Considering this is a democratic republic, why should dissent be suppressed?”

A case of sedition against several unknown students was lodged at Vasant Kunj (North) police station. It was registered under IPC Sections 124A (sedition), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons with a common intention).

Arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar: JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on sedition charges after allegations of ‘anti-national’ sloganeering against him surfaced. He was ordered to three days of police custody.

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Why did the police take action?

The police struck after videos of the alleged protest went viral. Home Minister Rajnath Singh talked to Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and released a statement: “If anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on the country’s unity and integrity, they will not be spared.”

Students of JNU gave a shutdown call; saying that they will not allow classes to be held on the campus till students’ union President Kanhaiya Kumar is released. JNU teachers too joined the students in boycotting classes and said they would take classes on “nationalism” in the varsity lawns.

Fake’ Twitter handle

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh alleged that JNU students had the backing of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed. But, his statement was based “fake tweet” from an unverified Twitter account. The account has posted funny messages in the past, with many on the social media considering it as a parody account. The account @HafeezSaeedJUD is no longer in use.

When contacted, a senior officer who handles the Delhi Police Twitter account said, “What proof is there that it was a parody account? Our domain is not to check parody accounts but to red-flag any incendiary content on social media. The law is very clear on this, Internet is just a medium of communication. Idea was to caution young people and students to not get carried away by such messages.”

Congress and other Party’s role

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP government, accusing it of “bullying” the prestigious institution. Soon after visiting the JNU campus Mr. Gandhi called an emergency meeting at his residence where he discussed ways to “tie up” every compelling issue the students are facing in India today and place them in its anti-BJP narrative.

Importance of university: Universities are institutions intended to be durable and enduring. When wisely designed, governed and financed, they are unique entities in our global society. Universities are neutral conveners, assemblers of talent, and unmatched idea factories where the passion, creativity, and idealism of great minds, young and old alike, can be applied to problem-solving and advancing our societal and economic well-being.

  
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Politics strongly affects the functioning of university in an adverse manner. Freedom of expression should be exercised with great consciousness. The integrity of university should be the top most priority of anyone associated with it. To allow political disagreements and dissents of all kinds is the legitimate role of the universities and colleges across the countries, as long as they do not resort to violence.

All institutions, not only the judiciary and bureaucracy, but also the university need to be treated with a sense of purpose and autonomy. Public universities like JNU have played a significant role in the process of nation building through its admission policy of giving opportunities to those from historically deprived regions and community and friendly environment. Institutions need to be celebrated for their positive role in instilling among its student a sense of commitment of the poor and the marginalized.

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About the Author: Ramandeep Singh gill from Delhi completed BSC in Hospitality and Hotel administration from IHM, PUSA. He loves to be surrounded by nature. Playing badminton is a stress buster for him. Great pet lover and interested in reading newspaper. Running and cycling always makes him feel energetic. Currently working as administration assistant cum IELTS Lecturer, he is a die heart defense aspirant.