PU’s Kanupriya Faces Abuse Over Art 370 Speech Despite Complaint

On social media platforms, Kanupriya has been called ‘mentally disturbed’, a ‘terrorist’ & other such abuses.

Public criticism against Narendra Modi government’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status has led to Kanupriya, a prominent student leader, receiving death threats – allegedly by youth linked to the BJP and its student’s wing ABVP. The organisation, however, has distanced itself from the alleged offenders.

Speaking at an event organised by Dal Khalsa and other Sikh organisations in Punjab’s Amritsar district, on the eve of India’s Independence Day last week, Panjab University (PU) former president Kanupriya criticised the government’s 5 August move to abrogate Article 370 and called for a referendum for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Kanupriya, who is also a member of the student political outfit Students for Society (SFS), has also filed a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of Police in Chandigarh, which claims that threats like “shoot her” and “shoot at sight” were posted against her on a social media platform.

Despite the complaint, Kanupriya continues to face abuse and hate.

Some of the comments posted on social media platforms like Facebook refer to Kanupriya as “mentally disturbed,” “a snake’s child” and “a Khalistani terrorist.” Threats of physical assault have also been made.

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How It All Began

According to Kanupriya, the first threatening comment was posted by a user named Ashish, who claims to be a registered BJP member.

She also shared screenshots of the said person’s profile on Facebook. The account in question has since been deactivated.

The second such comment was posted by one Danish Sharma, an alleged member of the ABVP. His account is inaccessible as well.

Here’s a snapshot of the comments which were submitted to the police as proof of the death threats.

Kanupriya went on to claim that the ‘shoot on sight’ comment was left by one Krishan Sheoran, an ABVP leader from PU.

“He has been making comments about me to people via social media posts with the sole purpose of provoking them,” she said.

In her complaint to the Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police, dated August 19, a copy of which is attached below, Kanupriya says, “I request you to take legal action against them and kindly protect the life and liberty of the complainant.”

ABVP Denies Involvement

PU ABVP president Kuldeep, meanwhile, told The Quint: “These people have said what they wanted to in their personal capacity. This is their normal aggression to Kanupriya’s calls for a referendum in Kashmir. However, I can categorically state that we do not know these men and they have nothing to do with the PU ABVP. We have not provoked anyone against Kanupriya either. All these are baseless allegations.”

While ABVP denies the allegations and Kanupriya continues to experience abuse online, the police has said that the matter is currently under investigation.

Till the time this story was published, Kanupriya was not intimated of an FIR being filed or anyone being brought in for questioning.