Several members representing the Left parties in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday raised the issue of rustication of three Jawaharlal Nehru University students and slapping of fine on students union leader
Several members representing the Left parties in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday raised the issue of rustication of three Jawaharlal Nehru University students and slapping of fine on students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. These MPs termed the action by the university “vindictive” and “vengeful”.
The issue was raised soon after the House started its days proceedings. Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said he had given notice under Rule 267 seeking suspension of business to raise the “serious issue” of “arrogant” and “anti-democratic” actions by JNU authorities.
Mr Sen termed the rustication of Umar Khalid for one semester, Anirban Bhattacharya till July 15 and Kashmir student Mujeeb Gattoo for two semesters as well as the '10,000 fine on Kanhaiya Kumar “vindictive and vengeful” action taken in an “unjust manner”.
“This is part of the government’s project to tamper with the rights of citizens. In the name of Constitution, they are tampering with the Constitution itself,” Mr Sen said.
Lending support to the cause, D. Raja (CPI) said Parliament cannot remain a mute spectator to the university rusticating students in a vindictive manner on the basis of “doctored and false” videos.
Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien expunged certain remarks of Mr Raja against the university, saying since its representatives cannot defend themselves, such harsh words should not be used.
The Congress too supported the Left leaders as Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “We totally support whatever our colleagues have said.”
Deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma too came out in support of the affected students and said: “We are worried how the atmosphere in one after the other university is being vitiated.”
