The right-wing organisations named in the murders of rationalists and journalists are not fringe elements, but work under the current regime’s protection, said former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on Wednesday.
‘Not fringe elements’
“I refuse to believe that they are fringe elements. The forces that are opposing us are the ones that killed Gauri (Lankesh). They are like the 10 heads of Ravana. One says something, while the other does exactly the opposite. These are organised groups of people and all their activities are under the protection of the present government,” said Mr. Kumar, who was interacting with the media at the Mumbai Press Club.
Mr. Kumar cited the example of Vaibhav Raut, who was recently arrested by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad from Nalasopara for possessing explosives. He recalled that in 2016, Mr. Raut “spoke at the press conference in Mumbai, organised to threaten me when I had a programme in Chembur.”
Ready for elections
Indicating that he is ready to contest elections, the former JNU student said he had not discarded the option yet. “I work in a parliamentary democracy. Elections are an essential part of it; how can I run away from it? But whether I will contest in 2019 or later is not decided. We will work to bring issues that matter to the people to the forefront,” he said.
Mr. Kumar claimed that he, along with Gujarat Member of Legislative Assembly Jignesh Mewani, and Patel community leader Hardik Patel, are working towards bringing issues essential to the youth back on electoral agendas. “The Bharatiya Janata Party’s rule has put the Constitution in danger. Employment is nowhere to be seen, farmers continue to commit suicide, Dalits are being assaulted, minorities are being lynched. We are against this and will continue to raise our voice,” Mr. Kumar said.
On his alleged involvement in the ‘Tukde-tukde gang’ at JNU, Mr. Kumar said that two-and-a-half years after the incident, the Delhi police has still not filed a charge sheet against him and that those who claim that they shouted anti-India slogans should provide evidence.
