Shatrughan Singh, a BJP MP from Patna, has come out in support of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar
BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, who has been an avowed critic of his party, came out in support of Kanhaiya Kumar, the JNU students union president who was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising anti-national slogans.
“Have heard transcript of speech of Kanhaiya, our Bihar boy president of JNUSU. He has said nothing anti national or against constitution,” wrote Sinha on Twitter, the platform where he frequently launches attacks against his party.
“Hope wish and pray that he’s release soon, sooner the better (sic),” he added.
Have heard transcript of speech of Kanhaiya, our Bihar boy president of JNUSU. He has said nothing anti national or against constitution.
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) February 17, 2016
Hope wish and pray that he’s release soon, sooner the better…
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) February 17, 2016
The BJP-led government at the Centre has come in for strong criticism for ordering the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar on serious sedition charges, a move that activists and students have lambasted. Kumar was arrested by the Delhi police from the university, days after an event was allegedly held by students to discuss the hanging of Afzal Guru, the terrorist convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack case. Police said anti-national slogans and those in favour of Afzal Guru were raised at the event. Home Minister Rajnath Singh went one step further saying the student protest had the backing of Hafiz Saeed, the Lahore-based chief of the dreaded Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Also read: Meet the family of Kanhaiya Kumar
Amidst this controversy, BJP leaders have called for the shutdown of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which they claimed had become the hub of anti-national activities.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brrLMVWKXiY%5D
But countering such claims, Shatrughan Sinha wrote, “JNU is going through a crisis for reasons best known to politicians. It is an institution of international repute, enviable record & history.”
“It is a seat of learning for some of India’s brightest young minds & also some very respectable teachers. Save it from further embarrassment,” he added in another tweet.
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