JNU Row: Cracks in ABVP? Three Members Quit Over Differences
Follow the latest updates on the clash at JNU on The Quint.
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Kanhaiya Kumar Assaulted at Court Again, 3 ABVP Members Resign
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to meet President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow.
- Three ABVP members quit over difference in ideology.
- JNU students start online campaign against the increasing allegations.
- Panel sent by SC says Kumar was assaulted inside the sessions court.
- JNUSU president Kahaniaya Kumar sent to judicial custody in Tihar jail till 2 March.
- Kumar’s hearing in the Patiala House Court adjourned after the attack.
- Lawyers attacked him and reporters present in the sessions court premises.
- Reporters waiting outside court were also roughed up.
- Supreme Court directed a team of 6 lawyers to go to Patiala House Court.
- SC directs adjournment of hearing in the sedition case against Kumar.
- Case filed by journalists heard in Supreme Court.
- Hearing of journalists’ case disrupted by a lawyer of Indian Bar Association.
SC Tells Bassi to Personally Ensure Kanhaiya’s Safety
The Supreme Court of India has told Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi that it is Bassi’s personal responsibility to ensure the safety of Kanhaiya Kumar.
Kejriwal to Meet President
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with the Delhi cabinet, will meet President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow at 2 pm to discuss the situation in Delhi.
He has reiterated the debate of bringing the Delhi police under the Delhi government’s administration.
In an interview to NDTV, MoS Home Kiren Rijiju agreed that there were gaps, “not failure”, in the maintenance of law and order situation due to police inaction.
The man identified as Advocate Vikram Singh Chauhan had circulated messages over social media instigating people to join him after he had attacked journalists outside the Patiala House Court on Monday.
ABVP Members Stand Up For Kanhaiya
Three members of the student wing of BJP, ABVP, resigned from the student body in protest of JNUSU president’s arrest, JNU incident, and the long standing debate on the death of Rohith Vemula.
The three have been identified as follows, according to a letter that has surfaced on the internet:
- Pradeep, Joint Secretary, ABVP JNU unit
- Rahul Yadav, President SSS
- Ankit Hans, Secretary SSS
Members of the ABVP have been protesting against the “anti-national” slogans raised in the JNU campus on the death anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack convict’s Afzal Guru’s second death anniversary.
ABVP members have been protesting against the supporters of Afzal Guru as well.
The organisation has also come under scanner after few reports that said students sighted in the video raising anti-national slogans were ABVP members.
Hyderabad University In Solidarity With JNU
The Hyderabad Central University Joint Action Committee has joined hands with JNU in protest against the current situation.
They have called for a strike according to a report by CNN-IBN.
Kanhaiya Kumar Taken to Tihar
The JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar has been taken to the Tihar central jail, He was taken out of the Patiala House Court almost four hours after he reached the court and was attacked by the lawyers.
Jaitley For Journalists
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has tweeted against the attack on journalists by the lawyers outside Patiala House Court.
This morning, the Supreme Court heard the case of attack on journalists on 15 February outside the Patiala House Court.
Protest Music From JNU
The protest of JNU students has found a new voice and the sentiments of the students have been turned into a YouTube video if protest song.
A German students named Sylvie has written and published a song called ‘We Are JNU’.
@StandWithJNU
While Kanhaiya Kumar is still inside the Patiala House Court, a new twitter handle has surfaced which claims to be run by the students of JNU trying to clarify their stance on the recent event.
A class on “what the nation really needs to know”, given by professor Gopal Guru of the university, was broadcast live through the handle.
Jadavpur Students on Streets
Students of the Jadavpur university took the streets outside the campus to protest against the “anti-national” fringe elements in JNU.
Threat To Life?
Kanhaiya Kumar filed two pleas in the court today. One of Kumar’s appeal sates that he suspects a threat to his life.
The second appeal is questioning the Delhi police’s claim of having evidence proving his culpability. Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi had claimed that the evidence in possession of Delhi police is enough to prove the sedition charges levied against Kumar.
An appeal that was filed by Kumar was that all electronic evidence against him must be presented to him.
Kanhaiya is “Against Anti-India Slogans”
JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar made a statement to the Delhi police today. Interestingly, in the statement, he says,
Kanhaiya so far stuck to his guns that there was no unconstitutional behavior and that nothing done by the students was wrong. But the statement appears to be a meek surrender to some, if not all, allegations against him.
The dynamics between Kanhaiya Kumar and the Delhi police seem to have undergone a slight change this morning. Earlier today, Delhi police chief BS Bassi had said that if Kumar wishes to apply for bail, the Delhi police will not oppose it.
Bassi had also said that now that Kanhaiya was willingly approaching the police, “the young man should be given a chance”.
The Supreme Court will take up the matter of happenings at the Patiala House Court today on Thursday.
An Insider’s Viewpoint
C Uday Bhaskar lives on the JNU campus. A strategic analyst, C Uday Bhaskar has followed the series of events that have unfolded on the JNU campus since 9 February 2016 when the Afzal Guru event was organised by the students.
‘The Atmosphere of Terror’
The panel of lawyers sent by the Supreme Court to disperse the tense situation in the Patiala House Court has said that Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked by lawyers inside the court as well.
The Indian Express’ Utkarsh Anand has reported that the lawyers also hurled expletives at the panel of senior lawyers, Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan has told Supreme Court.
They were also alleged to be agents of Pakistan by the raging lawyers.
However, Bassi has said that the police shielded Kumar and that he “doesn’t think” Kumar was attacked.
The Supreme Court has asked Bassi to submit a report tomorrow about the law and order situation today in the Patiala House Court. Bassi has said that if the court finds him guilty, he will defend himself.
The Supreme Court asks Delhi police counsel to talk to Bassi and ask him to ensure Kanhaiya Kumar’s security.
No Relief Yet
JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s judicial custody extended till 2 March.
Patiala House Court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned to ensure Kumar’s safety till he is taken back to jail. The jail superintendent has been directed to take necessary steps to prevent any untoward incidents.
Kanhaiya has said that he was attacked inside the court premises but Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi does not “think so”. Bassi thinks the situation was under control.
The court has directed the concerned DCP and jail superintendent to file a compliance report on 18 February.
Supreme Court has rushed a team of six lawyers with police protection to assess the situation at Patiala House Court (PHC). The team includes Kapil Sibal and Rajeev Dhawan.
SC Intervenes
The protesters inside the PHC are demanding against the six member team sent by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has asked the hearing of sedition case against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar to be adjourned till tomorrow as Kumar and journalists were attacked in the Patiala House Court.
The Patiala House Court will be evacuated. Reporters shouting Bharat Mata Ki Jai let inside the court, say reports.
Meanwhile, Justice J Chelameswar of the Supreme Court personally speaks to Delhi CP regarding security in Patiala House Court.
Kanhaiya Beaten Up
JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar has arrived at Patiala House Court and despite police protection, he is beaten up by lawyers.
Kanhaiya in Court
JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar has been brought to Patiala House Court for the hearing. He has been charged with sedition and his police custody ends today.
Lawyers Can’t Take Law Into Their Own Hands: SC
The Supreme Court said that lawyers cannot take the law into their own hands. Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi must take responsibility for the inaction of the police.
“Self-appointed vigilantes” of the Patiala House Court snatched Times Now reporter Meenakshi Bhanja’s personal cellphone and deleted footage of the pandemonium in the premises of the court. No police intervened.
This is despite the fact that Bhanja was officially permitted to be in there by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has said it may appoint a local commissioner to take stock of situation at Patiala House Court complex.
SC to Hear Plea on 22 February
The Supreme Court will hear the plea against those accused in the assault on the media outside Patiala House Court on 22 February.
Additional Security Forces Deployed at Patiala House Court
Additional security forces (anti-riot security personnel, CRPF) have been deployed at the Patiala House Court. Reporters are doubtful whose benefit this is for, given that police have chosen to remain uninvolved all along.
Media Personnel May Not Be Allowed In Court During The Hearing
Times Now reports that despite Supreme Court orders, it is likely that no media personnel will be allowed inside the court during the hearing.
Lawyers Protest Outside Patiala House Court, Rough Up Reporter
Lawyers are protesting, just as JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar is expected to be produced in court. ANI reports that lawyers raising nationalist slogans have roughed up Firstpost reporter Tarique Anwar, who was inside court premises at the time. The lawyers offered the same excuse as last time – they were provoked by protesting JNU students.
The lawyers have launched an attack on the media, saying that anyone reporting on the JNU incident and Kanhaiya Kumar is ‘anti-national.’
Reporters are questioning the kind of security the police are offering, following the first incident of assault on 15 February.
The police have chosen once again not to intervene.
Stones were also thrown at the press.
Three Lawyers Summoned by Delhi Police
Three lawyers who attacked media personnel at Patiala House Court on 15 February have been summoned by the Delhi Police.
VC Jagadeesh Kumar: I Granted the Police Permission to Enter Campus
JNU Vice-Chancellor, Jagadeesh Kumar, has assured the media that there is no police presence on campus. He also added that they had their own recordings of the events on 9 February, which an independent inquiry committee was looking into. He also added that any member of the JNU community was welcome to produce any other evidence.
He clarified that permission has been sought for a cultural event: A country without a post office. However, he said that his sources found out that a simultaneous event protesting the hanging of Afzal Guru was being held and he asked security to shut it down.
Classes are taking place as usual, he said, adding that he granted permission to the police to enter the campus, but did not give them permission to manhandle students.
Outsiders Also Involved: Police Commissioner BS Bassi
Addressing the media, Delhi Police Commissioner, BS Bassi, has confirmed that the event saw participation by outsiders as well as students from the university. He also said that all those “who believe in the integrity of the country” from JNU are co-operating with the police.
No Clean Chit For Kanhaiya Kumar
Delhi Commissioner of Police, BS Bassi, has said that Kanhaiya Kumar will not receive a clean chit because there is evidence of sedition against him.
NSUI Joins Protests, Police Commissioner Bassi Briefs Prime Minister’s Office
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress joins JNU student protests.
In the meanwhile, the Delhi Commissioner of Police, BS Bassi, has briefed the Prime Minister’s Office on the events in JNU.
SC Condemns Violence at Patiala House Court
Supreme Court bench condemns violence at Patiala House Court. The Supreme Court has ruled that the police must get involved if a law and order situation arises.
NALSAR Hyderabad Show Solidarity with JNU Students
Thirteen faculty members and 263 students of law university, NALSAR, Hyderabad, have issued a statement in solidarity with the protesting JNU students.
Solidarity for JNU students poured in from universities across the world. In India, students from 40 central universities, including FTII have shown their solidarity with the protesting students and faculty members of JNU.
SC Directs Delhi Police to Beef Up Security Around Patiala House Court
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi Police to beef up security in and around Patiala House court which will take up case case against JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar today.
The Supreme Court has restricted the number of people inside Patiala House Court to the arguing counsel, two professors and five media people.
The court has also asked the Registrar General of Delhi HC to be present in the Patiala House Court complex when the accused will be produced for the proceedings.
It has also directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure full security to the accused when he is produced in the court.
Lawyer Disrupts Supreme Court Proceedings
A group called the Indian Bar Association has disrupted proceedings in the Supreme Court, shouting slogans like ‘Vande Mataram,’ CNN-IBN reported. The petition filed by the media, demanding that action be taken against the accused in the Patiala House Court assault, was being heard in court. The atmosphere in court is unusually tense. Only 25 journalists are being allowed during the proceedings.
In court, Justice Chelameshwar observed that the presence of journalists inside the court is important because they communicate information to the people.
Delhi Police Conducting Further Raids in JNU?
Further police raids are expected at JNU, even as students and faculty members organise cultural events and protests, demanding the release of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar.
After JNU, Focus Shifts to Kolkata’s Jadavpur University
The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked for a report from the West Bengal government on pro-Afzal Guru protests in Jadavpur University in Kolkata.
Police Raids to Look for Absconding JNU Students
Sources confirm to CNN-IBN that police are conducting raids to look for absconding JNU students, including main suspect Umar Khalid, leader of the DSU. Raids are being conducted in Maharashtra, UP, Bihar and Jammu.
Security Tightened at Patiala House Court
Security has been tightened at Patiala House Court, ahead of Kanhaiya’s hearing today.
CNN-IBN sources have reported that Kanhaiya claimed he didn’t participate in pro-Afzal Guru event.
The Quint has in its possession the detailed report submitted by the Delhi Police to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) incident and JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest.
In the police report, Kanhaiya names DSU members Umar Khalid, Anirbhan Bhattacharya and Rubina Saifee among others, as key organisers.
The Details of the Event, as Recorded in the Police Report
Kanhaiya admitted to criticising the RSS, the Modi government and its policies in his speech, but denied raising anti-India slogans.
The Return of the Emergency?
Kanhaiya Said Nothing Anti- National: Shatrughan Sinha
Kanhaiya Kumar to be Produced in Court Today, Univs Protest in Solidarity with JNU
JNU Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar will be produced in the Patiala House Court on sedition charges today. Today is also his last day in police custody. The Supreme Court will hear a plea seeking action against the accused in the Patiala House Court violence on 15 February.
Kumar’s arrest and the clashes that followed between state forces and the university have spurred students from universities across the country to show their solidarity. Students from Aligarh Muslim University are protesting police action inside the JNU university campus, while students from Kolkata’s Jadavpur University shouted slogans, criticising the nation and organised a protest march in a show of solidarity.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju has trivialised the attack on the media by lawyers at the Patiala House Court. Speaking to CNN-IBN, he asked whether “a murder had been committed” there.
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