“My brother is innocent,” maintained Amit Kumar Singh, younger brother of Praveen Kumar Singh, who was arrested for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans in the boys’ hostel of Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology (SSIT) in Tumakuru.
Praveen's arrest has come as a shock to his family as many of them have either served or continue to serve in the Army. “With most of our family members serving in the armed forces, Praveen could not have raised such slogans,” said Amit, who is studying computer science engineering at Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bengaluru.
Their father has served with the Assam Rifles — India’s oldest paramilitary force — for the past 30 years. He is currently working as a warrant officer with the Assam Rifles in Assam. Their paternal uncle is also attached to the Assam Rifles in Shillong, while their other uncle is an ex-serviceman.
Amit and Praveen both studied in the Army School at Jairampur in Arunachal Pradesh. According to his brother, Praveen wanted to join the National Defence Academy but did not qualify, said Amit Kumar Singh, who is in Tumakuru on behest of his father.
Veeraiah, SSIT principal, told The Hindu, “I have received information that he is not the culprit and that he is in the judicial custody till August 31.”
On the incident of few students raising pro-Pakistan slogans at a private college hostel run by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, DG and IGP Om Prakash said it was “not a serious issue” and added that someone, in an inebriated condition, had raised slogans at a private birthday party.
