JNU anti-India slogans: Bassi briefs Rajnath, Kejriwal orders probe

New Delhi

Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed him about the investigation into the sedition case registered in connection with an event at JNU campus against hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

JNU students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested yesterday in connection with the case.

The Commissioner went to Rajnath Singh’s residence around 11.45 AM to brief the latter about the JNU matter, official sources said.

Later in the day, Bassi tweeted, “As regards DP (Delhi Police), kindly have no doubts. DP is committed to the RULE OF LAW. We act without any extraneous influence.”

“Allegations of Police personnel entering girls’ hostels of JNU are totally incorrect, malicious and mischievous,” he said in another tweet.

Leaders of Left parties and JD(U) also met Rajnath Singh today, demanding the release of Kanhaiya Kumar.

“We met the Home Minister and apprised him about the tense atmosphere in JNU at present. Delhi Police has released a list of 20 students in connection with the event, which also includes D Raja’s daughter, but we are asking are they seen in the video shouting slogans?,” CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters after the meeting.

Yesterday, Rajnath Singh had warned of “strongest possible” action against those involved in raising anti-India slogans at the event in JNU campus, saying such activities will not be tolerated.

“If anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on country’s unity and integrity, they will not be spared. Stringent action will be taken against them,” he had said.

Kejriwal orders magisterial probe

New Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged shouting of anti-India slogans by a group of students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University here, leading to the arrest of students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar.

The move comes after a delegation comprising CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D Raja, JD(U) MP K C Tyagi and other leaders met Kejriwal, demanding a magisterial probe to establish the “authenticity” of evidence produced against Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charge in connection with an event organised on the campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru.

Kumar, JNUSU President, was arrested yesterday, a move that invited criticism from the opposition parties.

“There are claims that JNU student leaders shouted anti-India slogans and counter claims that ABVP activists did it. To find truth, Delhi govt is directing DM to conduct an enquiry (sic),” the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was using the Delhi Police to “terrorise” everyone.

“Modi ji wants to terrorise everyone by using police,” Kejriwal said.

In a tweet, he said, “No anti-national activity should be tolerated under any circumstances. Those who did it must be identified and punished” (sic).

The AAP also alleged that RSS’s student wing ABVP was involved in the “conspiracy”.

“AAP condemns the way Delhi Police is using dictatorial measures to harass students and professors of the JNU. During the entire episode some facts have come to the light that ABVP is behind this conspiracy,” the party said.

Following the arrest of Kumar, a delegation comprising Yechury, Raja and Tyagi termed the on-going developments at the JNU as a “political conspiracy” by Centre to “terrorise” the students, “reminding of days of Emergency”.

“The evidence based on which this conspiracy has been hatched is wrong. There is need to have an independent probe to check authenticity of the evidences.

“We came here to meet Kejriwal seeking independent magisterial enquiry. He has assured us to look into the matter positively,” Yechury said here after the meeting, which took place after the delegation first met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that New Delhi District Magistrate has been asked to probe the JNU incident and submit his report within 15 days.

PTI