JNU Live: JNU Prepares for Another Solidarity March
The Quint brings you the latest updates from the protests at JNU, Kanhaiya’s arrest and its aftermath.
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- NHRC report says Delhi police psychologically tortured by police.
- Former Delhi University Professor SAR Geelani’s bail plea dismissed in Patiala House Court.
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar moves Delhi High Court for bail.
- Kanhaiya’s effigy burnt by lawyers marching from Patiala House Court to India Gate.
- Lawyers march in protest against JNU supporters.
- Delhi Police will not oppose Kanhaiya Kumar’s bail plea.
- Supreme Court has refused to hear Kanhaiya’s bail plea.
- Kanhaiya Kumar complained of chest pain before appearing in Supreme Court.
- Delhi Police chief BS Bassi has been dropped from list of probables for information commissioner amid recent events at JNU.
JNUSU Vice President Calls For Another Solidarity March
Vice president of the JNU students’ union has called for another solidarity march on Saturday, 20 February as the union’s president Kanhaiya Kumar remains in Tihar jail.
Buses will be organised from inside the campus to transport the students. The last solidarity march held on Thursday, 18 February saw a massive response as thousands of people had gathered.
Union Minister Blames Media For Making Kanhaiya “Hero”
Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad has blamed the media for making a “hero” out of JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar.
He also added that the pro-Afzal Guru slogans are insulting to the judiciary as he was a key conspirator in 2001 Parliament attack.
He also stated that the media has only made a “hero” out of a person who was present when pro-Afzal Guru slogans were raised, effectively bringing “the entire judicial system to disrepute”.
NHRC Report Contradicts Police
A report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that the attack on JNU students’ union president in Patiala House Court was pre-planned.
The report also adds that the appeal written in Hindi which was circulated by the Delhi police, was not written by Kanhaiya Kumar.
Kanhaiya’s parents in Begusarai have, however, refused the protection offered to them by the Bihar government.
Play-Writer Girish Karnad Stands With JNU
Playwright Girish Karnad joined the members of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) protesting against the arrest of JNU students’ union leader Kanhaiya Kumar in Bengaluru on Friday.
Karnad was also in the forefront of the protest by the students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) when BJP member and TV actor Gajendra Chouhan was appointed as the chairman of the premier institute.
BJP Set’s Target on Jadavpur
BJP has filed a PIL in the Calcutta High Court demanding an National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe on the issue of anti-national slogans in Jadavpur University, Kolkatta.
Students at the Jadavpur university have joined hands with the JNU protesters.
Left Leaders Meet President
Left parties, RJD, JDU, and NCP met President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the issue of tension in JNU and presented him with a memorandum.
Read the memorandum presented to President Pranab Mukherjee here.
Before meeting the President, Yechury had also made Facebook post regarding the topic of discussion – the BJP government’s crackdown on JNU.
A petition filed in the Delhi High Court is demanding a fair trial for JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The statement made by Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi will hamper the trial, the petition says.
Bassi’s Statement May Hamper Fair Trial
Bassi had said on Wednesday, 17 February that if Kanhaiya Kumar applies for a bail, the Delhi police will not oppose it.
Bassi had made the statement after Kanhaiya madea written appeal to Delhi police had condemned the anti-national slogans raised on 9 February 2016.
Kanhaiaya Kumar, who has been sent to Tihar jail till 2 March, has field for a bail in the Delhi High Court after the Supreme Court refused to hear his bail plea.
The petition seeking fair trial for Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to be heard in the coming week.
Kanhaiya’s Plea Will Not Be Heard Today
JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar’s bail plea will not be heard in the Delhi High Court today.
The Registrar General has said that the additional application in the matter is yet to be filed.
Ex-DU Professor’s Bail Plea Dismissed
Bail plea filed by former professor of Delhi university SAR Geelani has been dismissed by the Patiala House Court in Delhi.
SAR Geelani has been charged with sedition for organising an event on the second death anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on 9 February 2016 at the Press Club of India.
He was sent to 14 days of judicial custody on Thursday.
Injury Marks on Kanhaiya’s Body
A medical report published today is in contradiction with BS Bassi, Delhi Police Commissioner’s claims about the attack on Kanhaiya Kumar on Wednesday, 17 February 2016 at the Patiala House Court.
The medical report shows multiple injury marks on JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar’s body. He was attacked by a group of lawyers on Wednesday when he was brought to the Patiala House Court.
A case of sedition, registered against Kanhaiya Kumar, was scheduled to be heard in the court.
This information contradicts the version of the Delhi Police which still maintains that the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU) was not assaulted.
Bassi, who was thrown out of the list of probables for Commissioner of Central Information Commission (CIC), will be retiring from the post of Delhi Police Commissioner.
Lawyers Burn Kanhaiya’s Effigy
The lawyers marching from Patiala House Court to India Gate burn an effigy of JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar, according to Hindustan Times.
The lawyers are protesting against the JNU supporters and the media.
Lawyers from Jammu have also joined the protest against JNU, condemning “anti-national” activities.
Kanhaiya Moves Delhi HC For Bail
JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar has moved the Delhi High Court for bail after the Supreme Court refused to hear his bail plea this morning.
The apex court had said that the appropriate court should be approached in the case while refusing to hear his bail plea.
Advocate Vrinda Grover and Advocate Sushil Bajaj escorted by police as they approached the court of Registrar Lopen Bomniyal.
Lawyers March to India Gate
A group of lawyers have started a march from Patiala House Court to India Gate in Delhi in protest against the JNU supporters and media.
The lawyers are holding the Indian flag while marching from the sessions court.
JNU Protest Reaches Kashmir
Protesters in Kashmir held posters reading “Thank JNU” along with ISIS flags. Clashes broke out between police and these protesters.
Umar Khalid’s Father: Spare My Son a Media Trial
Umar Khalid is one of ten JNU students accused of shouting “anti-national” slogans on the campus said it is for the judiciary to decide whether he was involved in the case.
His father demanded that his son should be spared a “media trial”. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas said his son was fighting for the cause of tribals and poor farmers and that he has always stood with them.
Police is looking for Khalid, who is accused of shouting anti-India slogans during an event on February 9 at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
Bail Plea Unlikely to be Heard in Court Today
Kanhaiya’s lawyer, Vrinda Grover is not hopeful about the bail plea being heard in the High Court today, even if it mentioned.
All-India Protest Over Events at JNU: Left Parties
Left parties call for all India protest from 23 February to 25 February against Central Govt over the events at JNU.
Bassi Dropped from List of Probables for Information Commissioner
Delhi Police chief BS Bassi has been dropped from list of probables for information commissioner amid recent events at JNU, say reports.
Bassi is “not worried,” reports said.
Speaking to the media, Bassi said that as far as Kanhaiya Kumar is concerned, the Delhi Police is committed to providing security for Kanhaiya Kumar. He added that as Kanhaiya is involved in a controversial case, the police may have to provide him additional security if he gets bail.
Kanhaiya Kumar’s Lawyer to Move High Court Today
Kanhaiya Kumar’s lawyers have confirmed that they will move Delhi High Court today, after the Supreme Court refused to hear his bail plea application. His counsel has asked the High Court for an urgent hearing, as early as 2pm this afternoon.
The apex court has asked the Delhi High Court to expeditiously hear Kanhaiya Kumar’s bail plea.
JNU students have said that they will continue to protest until Kumar is released.
SC Refuses to Hear Bail Plea
The Supreme Court has refused to hear Kanhaiya’s bail plea. It added that the plea wouldn’t be heard in Patiala House Court either, but at the Delhi High Court. If adequate protection is provided to Kanhaiya and his lawyers, there should not be a problem, the apex court added.
The apex court said if it were to hear Kumar’s bail application, it would have sent out the wrong message, namely that the Supreme Court is the only capable court in the country.
Once Kanhaiya Kumar moves his bail plea application to the Delhi High Court, only then can the date be set. The Supreme Court has asked Delhi Police to ensure his safety.
SC Asks Why Kanhaiya Didn’t Approach High Court First
The Supreme Court has asked Kanhaiya Kumar why he didn’t approach the Delhi High Court first, reports say.
Once enough security is provided to accused and his lawyer, there should be no problem appearing at Patiala House Court, the court added.
Delhi Police Submits Report on Patiala House Court Violence
The Delhi Police has also submitted their report on Patiala House Court violence to the Supreme Court.
Bail Plea Hearing Begins in SC
Kanhaiya Kumar’s bail plea begins for the day in the Supreme Court.
The Delhi Police has not sought an extension of Kanhaiya Kumar’s police remand, says his lawyer.
Kanhaiya Complains of Chest Pain, Ahead of Bail Hearing
Times Now reports that Kanhaiya Kumar, scheduled to appear at the Supreme Court for a bail plea hearing, complained of chest pain and that a Medico Legal Cases (MLC) report has confirmed it.
SC to Hear Kanhaiya’s Bail Plea
- The Supreme Court will hear Kanhaiya Kumar’s bail application today.
- Former Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee has agreed to argue on his behalf.
- Also representing him is Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran and Vrinda Grover.
- The video which implicated Kanhaiya and was aired on TV, may be doctored. The video went viral, and it was based on this that Kanhaiya was charged with sedition.
- Kanhaiya Kumar’s parents have refused security provided to them on Bihar CM’s orders.
Kejriwal Lambasts the Centre
Kanhaiya Moves SC for Bail, OP Sharma Arrested, Gets Bail After 8 Hours
Kanhaiya Kumar, the arrested JNU Students’ Union President moved Supreme Court for bail on Thursday. The matter will be heard in court today. Former Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee has agreed to argue on his behalf.
BJP MLA OP Sharma was arrested on Thursday for assaulting a CPI leader and political activist on camera. However, he received bail after eight hours of questioning.
Read: BJP MLA Who Beat Up Kanhaiya’s Supporter Treated Like VIP by Cops
Ex-DU professor SAR Geelani has been sent to 14 days judicial custody in Tihar jail under sedition charges. He named four students who were allegedly shouting ‘anti-national’ slogans, and admitted to organising similar events in the last five years.
The Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda said earlier that the sedition law must be revisited.
Also Read
Vikram Singh Chauhan, the Lawyer Who Led the Patiala House Attack
1934 to 2016: How Courts in India Looked at Charges of Sedition
Before Kanhaiya Came ‘Chandu’: A JNU President Killed 19 Years Ago
Students from Universities Across the World Stand With JNU
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