Prior to the left parties’ discussion with Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the JNU row, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP government, accusing it of “bullying” the prestigious institution which is known as breeding ground for Indian left leaning politics.
“The right to dissent and debate is an essential ingredient of democracy,” said Mr. Gandhi via Twitter.
While Anti-India sentiment is unquestionably unacceptable, the right to dissent & debate is an essential ingredient of democracy (1/2)
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) >February 12, 2016
Mr. Gandhi was cautious with his reaction on JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest since it came in the light of recent pro-Pakistan sloganeering on campus, which the BJP government construed as seditious.
“Modi Govt. and ABVP bullying an institution like JNU simply because it won’t toe their line is completely condemnable,” said Mr. Gandhi.
Modi Govt & ABVP bullying an institution like JNU simply because it won't toe their line is completely condemnable (2/2)
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG)>February 12, 2016
Mr. Gandhi recently returned from Kerala where Congress has to wrestle with the left parties in the upcoming elections. Contrary to that, his party is also debating whether to forge an alliance with the CPI (M) in West Bengal.
Mr. Kumar was arrested on Friday and sent to three-day police custody. Police filed a sedition case against him on complaints from BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP members.
Mr. Kumar has, however, distanced himself from the event that led to his arrest, saying he was being framed by ABVP.