Kanhaiya Kumar: I'm no celebrity, travelling by air due to fringe elements

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar, whose arrest on charges of sedition catapulted him to the centre stage of student's politics and ignited a nationwide debate on nationalism and free speech, is all set to come out with a book on his eventful journey from a nondescript Bihar village.

Titled 'Bihar to Tihar', the book will tell the story of his journey from his school, his deepening involvement in student politics and his controversial arrest.

The book will be published by Juggernaut publication.

India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai on his show News Today asked a few poignant questions to the student leader on his author debut.

Asked if he has turned into a celebrity from being a student leader, Kanhaiya said, "my basic job is to study and write books. I don't think this has anything to do with me creating a celebrity image for myself."

"I am a student... Studying and teaching is a part of my life," he added.

Kanhaiya, who is currently pursuing a PhD in African studies at the School of International Studies, said that it's not only 'Bihar to Tihar', but he has also been trying to get his thesis published.

Countering allegations from his opponents, who say his focus now lies in publicity and not student's issues, Kanhaiya said that he is just another student and he had travelled across the country earlier as well. He said it is not the first time that he has been travelling to places.

"This is not the first time that I have travelled to another university. I have visited universities in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Patna and other places to address student's issues," Kanhaiya said.

"Coming to air travel, the organisers pay for my travel. Students usually contribute in masses to organise such functions. I can't travel by train due to fringe elements. Therefore, organisers have no way other than book air tickets for me," he added.

Kanhaiya was arrested in February on charges of sedition in connection with a controversial event at the JNU campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. His arrest had triggered widespread outrage and protests. He was released on bail on March 3.

He is from village Bihat near Barauni in Begusarai district of Bihar. He moved to JNU after completing his post graduation from the Nalanda Open University in Patna.

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