ABVP members protest at Delhi University on Thursday against the police action on non-Kashmiri students of NIT Srinagar. They demanded protection for the students and sought strict action against the Jammu and Kashmir police. (Photo: PTI )
A large number of ABVP members along with the students of the Delhi University staged a protest inside Arts Faculty in North Campus on Thursday in solidarity with the students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar.
Strongly condemning the lathicharge by the police, they demanded protection for the students and sought strict action against the Jammu & Kashmir police.
Delhi ABVP secretary Bharat Khatana and ABVP media convenor Saket Bahuguna led the protest and shouted slogans like “Jahan Hue Balidan Mukherjee, Vo Kashmir Hamara Hai,” “Kashmir Ho Ya Guwahati, Apna Desh Apni Maati,” while holding the national flag.
“There are some people who are trying to politicise the whole issue. This is creating a rift between local and non-local students, but in reality this is actually an issue between nationalist and anti-nationalist students. We want the Jammu & Kashmir government as well as the college administration to provide security to the students and ensure positive environment before conducting any further examination in the issue,” Mr Bahuguna said.
Expressing concern over the security of female students, ABVP member Mahamedha Nagar said, “Female students of NIT Srinagar are being threatened with rape and molestation. They are also warned of facing consequences in their academics if they raise their voice. Through this gathering, I would like to send a message to all of them that not only us but the whole nation is with them so they should not be afraid.”
ABVP secretary Bharat Khatana, who sought strict action against police officials, said, “It is shocking to see how the police entered the campus and lathicharged those students who were shouting, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’ All those J&K police officials who ordered this lathicharge should be immediately suspended.”
Meanwhile, a public meeting with speakers from DU, JNU and other varsities on the issue was convened outside the Arts Faculty.
