It is an irony as loathsome condemnation of the nation is at
its crescendo, political parties and its allied elite paraphernalia is engaged
in ludicrous debate of brushing aside implications of these concocted ideas of
dissent. Does any democratic nation under the banner of freedom of speech allow
anti-nationalist voices to have a free ride? Ridiculously so, there can be no
other outlandish definition of right-wing and left-wing as the one that exists
in India. According to the Indian definition speaking about national interests
and security makes a person right-winger and so by same logic, leftists are the
ones who have no qualms about the security of the country. Notwithstanding, any
responsible citizen would raise cudgels in response to the indignant comments
made in reference their nation. A sense of belongingness towards nation imbued
in every citizen entitles them to speak up when anti-national forces tries to
run amok with frenzied indoctrinated postulates right in the heart of the
country. It is so appalling as how there be standing debates on issues which
are as vital as national security. There be no alternative opinion and empathy
towards ideologues whose affiliations are inimical to nation’s interests.
Truly, the bush fires ignited along caste and religious lines
are slowly rousing unwarranted passions in the society and taking a great toll
on India’s aspirations of making it big. The students union at JNU obtained a
permission from the University authorities to organize a cultural event on Feb
9th to express solidarity to Kashmir movement. With the real agenda
of the cultural gathering held under wraps, students obtained permission to
conduct the event. The permission was withdrawn at the eleventh hour when the
varsity administration received a tip-off from other sources. The event as it
turned out to be was organized to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru, the
mastermind behind the attacks on Indian Parliament in 2001. The protests soon
gathered momentum in the campus and were marred by anti-India slogans. With the
videos of the sloganeering becoming viral across the social media, student
association defended that they were airing their voices of dissent. They
maintained that in a democratic society, people are entitled to have an
alternative opinion. It is unfortunate that intellectuals and saviors of free
speech with rambunctious English rendition castigated the government for
threatening democracy and crushing thinking. PB Mehta in his open-ed was
highly critical of Modi’s government and opined that “universities are spaces
of open debate”. Interestingly, the illustrious history of the university
reveals that the place has been intellectual nourishing den of leftism. A few
instances of its glorious past strikingly reflects its hypocrisy. The place has
several ignominious distinctions. In 2010, JNU students association organized
an event to celebrate massacre of 76 CRPF jawans during the operation Green
Hunt launched to crackdown Maoists in Chattisgarh. For long, elected
representatives of the country were shown black flags and their entry was
prevented into their campuses. The article asserts that “being anti-national is
not crime” and implores that definition of patriotism in the present scenario
has become narrow. Logic fails to comprehend how patriotism can be narrow. It is
a pity that noble traits like patriotism are subjected to bipartisan scrutiny.
It is parody of logical cynicism as how people can defend the outrageous
slogans like- Bharat ki barbadi tak jung
rahegi jung rahegi…
Another article titled-Why our universities are in ferment by
Nivedita Menon in the Hindu expounds about the raising overtures of politics in
the universities. The message portended by author is clearly biased. Her
deplorable animosity towards the right-wing and its allied youth organizations
while abdicating leftist ideologues of all sins is not convincing.
Interestingly if campus is truly democratic why is any alternative ideology,
hunted, chased and least tolerated? While the elite Indians lambasted Modi
government for suppressing freedom of speech, Freedom House- a democracy watch dog organization in its latest
reports disapproved the intolerant propaganda. The organization uses the
standards endorsed by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and civil
liberties of individuals categorized India as a free country on par with other
American and European Countries. Indeed the leftist who sing peons of Mao’s
China and empathize with our western neighbor, to their surprise is labelled
as one of the non-free countries.
While liberals allege massive crackdown on the students, how can
the protestors raising slogans- India, you shall be divided; Afzal, your death will bring a revolution
and Afzal we are ashamed, your murderers
are still alive be construed? Does any saner democracy under the guise of
freedom speech tolerate this? India which is currently battling the onslaught
and return of terror and contending the insidious plans of being encircled by
belligerent neighbors, risk national discontentment from an elite education
institute? With regards to overflowing compassion for the executed terrorist
Afzal Guru, the university should feel ashamed that not only their immature
students are gullible for indoctrination, but are also misinformed. The
terrorists who launched brutal attacks on the Indian consulate Mazar-e-Sharif
in Afghanistan inscribed on the walls of building that “Afzal! Your death is
avenged”. Fourteen people lost their lives in attacks on Indian Parliament. The
attackers from JeM, launched twin attacks simultaneously on Indian airbase at
Pathankot and on Indian Consulate. Even the blood of soldiers who defended
nation’s security within the country and abroad hasn’t dried yet and these
commies defend the actions of JNU students. Further to expressing solidarity to
Kashmir movement, so far 10,000 lives were lost and several thousands of crores
of resources and invaluable human power were expended to defend the Kashmir.
What kind of cynicism can approve India’s educated youth to toe in line with
aspirations of terrorists?
Notwithstanding wide spread public disapproval, political
parties of all hues are queuing up to JNU condemning action against students
who championed these reprehensible acts. Why the bellicose fool-hardy
sickulars, intellectual snobs who launched tirade against Modi are discreetly
silent towards the sedition charges slapped on Kamlesh Tiwari who is still
rotting in jail? Sadly our democracy is too outstretched. It slowly losing its
sheen as the line between patriotism and anti-India sloganeering is getting
blurred. Recent disclosures of Rajendra Kumar, who was implicated in Ishrat
Jahan indicated that 26/11 could have avoided but for the complacency of Indian
politicians. Currently when the World is wrestling hard to annihilate traces of
terrorism how can India afford to ignore the vocal support of youth to
terrorists? Also, with tweets making rounds on social media of LeT (Lashkar-e-
Taiba) supremo, Hafiz Saeed’s support to JNU students and with intelligence
agencies backing the claims, the issue needs a thorough investigation. Moreover
with intellectuals alleging that right-wing students association raised the
anti-India slogans, the entire issue warrants serious investigation.
Indian defence personnel and public hardly recovering from
the tragic death of 10 jawans patrolling serving at Siachen glacier any complacence
towards national interests shouldn't be tolerated. Army officers too are
irked by the irresponsible and immature statements of students who are unable
to empathize the valiant efforts of soldiers guarding our borders. Ex-servicemen
are now threatening to return their degrees if anti-national activities persist
on the campus. Indian government has now decreed that serious action would be
taken against the students which may include slapping sedition charges. In a display
of solidarity 3000 odd students and faculty formed a human chain demanding dropping
of charges against the students. It is illogical to dilute and subvert the
whole issue by simply dismissing the protests as an act of Kashmiri youth
questioning the flawlessness of Supreme Court since the dissent was accompanied
by outrageous sloganeering demeaning India. At a time when local Kashmiri youth
are indoctrinated to wage a jihadi war against Indian Union and Headley
revealing Pakistani terror outfits actively recruiting Indian citizens to carry
out their mission, it would be ridiculous to push entire issue under carpet.
While liberals argue that acts of petulant youth be pardoned, can government
risk overlooking strong voices of dissent gathering empathies and support from
a range of political parties and vested interests?
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