Ravi Shankar Prasad: JNU has alternative voice

As the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) row intensifies by the day, the government on Wednesday indicated that the reputed institution represents an “alternative voice” which should also be heard, referring to the intellectuals and academicians, who have been its products.

“JNU is a very premier institution of India, widely respected also. It has produced outstanding civil servants, great academicians and also well-known public figures. Its faculty and students also excel well. We all think there is also a very eloquent, powerful and constructive alternative voice in the JNU. The country is equally eager to hear that voice,” Union communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told mediapersons after the meeting of the Union Cabinet.

He, however, was quick to add that the JNU row was not discussed in the Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

There is a criticism from the right wing that the university has become a hotbed of extreme Left elements articulating “anti-national” sentiments.

Mr Prasad, however, evaded a direct reply on violence targeting journalists and students in the Patiala House court complex on February 16 as well on Wednesday, saying the matter is under investigation and he himself had condemned “what happened to the press people”.

Mediapersons and students were attacked on Tuesday by men in lawyers’ outfit and violence was repeated on Wednesday in defiance of a Supreme Court order to restrict people’s movement in the court to rule out such attacks.

Asked about the JNU issue and the violence in the court, he said, “The entire matter is under investigation. The police commissioner came on television and explained everything about both the cases... what happened to the press people... which I condemned. Both are under investigation, therefore, I need not comment,” he said.