Live: Delhi Police officers were trying to protect JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, says Bassi

Delhi law and order situation fast deteriorating: Kejriwal

Delhi law and order situation fast deteriorating. Have sought time from Hon'ble President to discuss the situation

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 17, 2016

Del Pol openly flouting SC orders. Bassi acting so brazenly. What is source of his confidence? What instructions does he hv from his bosses?

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 17, 2016

Trigger for Patiala House violence is JNU incident: Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar reportedly said that the trigger for the Patiala House violence is the JNU incident.

“Some anti-national forces are affecting students,” NDTV quoted Javadekar as saying. “What happened in JNU and Jadavpur is unacceptable,” he further said.

According to ABP News, Kanhaiya Kumar told the court that he was saved by the Delhi Police.

#KanhaiyaKumar tells court that he was saved by .@DelhiPolice police officers from being attacked by lawyers #JNUrow

— ABP News (@ABPNews) February 17, 2016

Mob at Patiala House court complex allegedly called panel appointed by SC ‘agents of Pakistan’

Rajeev Dhavan told SC that the "situation in PH Court is horrifying, mob tried to manhandle the Panel that SC appointed"

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Mob screamed at & abused the Panel that SC appointed, called them "agents of Pakistan".

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Bassi releases image of Kanhaiya Kumar’s written statement

An appeal issued by Kanhaiya pic.twitter.com/mzbSMQgkN4

— BS Bassi (@BhimBassi) February 17, 2016

Kanhaiya Kumar injured, says report

A medical report has said that Kanhaiya Kumar was injured on his back and legs due to the violence at the Patiala House court complex.

Supreme Court to take up the issue of Patiala court violence on Thursday.

According to PTI, the apex court has decided to take up the Patiala court violence issue on Thursday. Lawyers’ panel also told the Supreme Court that there is a serious threat to the safety and security of the accused who was beaten outside and was even pushed by unknown persons in courtroom.

SC has also asked the senior lawyers’ panel and Delhi High Court Registrar General to file their report on Thursday over the incidents in Patiala House court.

Bassi acting on directions of Home Minister, should be removed: Brinda Karat

CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat lashed out at Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and said that he has no right to continue as the police commissioner now. “These people have to be prosecuted and put in jail…It is the Delhi Police which is directing all this,” she told reporters.

“He (Bassi) has to be removed. He is acting on the directions of the Home Minister. The Police Commisioner, who has allowed this not once but twice, should not be allowed to continue in office,” Karat said.

“Can such a man continue in the post of police commissioner?” she further said.

An advocate from Delhi has written a letter to the Bar Council through Firstpost . “I therefore, most humbly, call upon the Bar Council of Delhi to initiate a suo-moto enquiry and especially to look in to whether these persons were in fact enrolled as advocates with the Bar. We are all, as advocates, comrades in arms. We cannot allow such a disservice to our profession go unnoticed, much less un-enquired,” he said in his letter.

Jail authorities and the Delhi Police have been told to step up security measures inside the jail in which Kanhaiya Kumar has been sent to, sources told Firstpost.

The court also directed authorities to provide any documents required for Kanhaiya Kumar’s defence.

I don’t support the 9 Feb incident inside JNU campus: Kanhaiya Kumar

JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar issued a statement while in police custody and clarified that he did not support the 9 February incident inside the JNU campus.

“I am an Indian and I don’t support anti-national activities,” CNN-IBN quoted Kumar as saying in his statement. “I appeal to police and students who are there in the university to not disturb the peace in the country.”

“I believe in India’s Constitution…I don’t support the 9 February incident inside the JNU campus. I condemn it,” the statement further said.

Delhi Police was trying to protect Kanhaiya Kumar: BS Bassi

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi, in defence of the Delhi Police, said that the Delhi Police was actually trying to protect Kanhaiya Kumar as he entered the court premises and that all the people responsible for the assault had been summoned by the police.

“He (Kanhaiya Kumar) was escorted by the required number of police officers. He was taken care of. In the process, our police officers were also subjected to a lot of heckling and jostling,” Bassi told reporters.

“One had no option but to go through the crowd. There was a lot of jostling. My officers have informed that despite a very excited crowd, my officers were able to go through the crowd,” he further said.

“I’m told Kanhaiya lost one of his slippers,” Bassi said. When questioned about the police action taken during the violence, he said, “Some of our police officers were covering him from behind and front. One of our officers put his hand on his head so nothing hit him.”

“Our tactic was that we should not use force because use of force in a court complex can be counter-productive,” he further said.

Bassi also clarified that he has not received any summons from the Supreme Court.

On being asked whether any action had been taken against the lawyer who attacked journalists and activists, Bassi said, “I have already summoned three persons in this case. Three lawyers, including Mr Chauhan, have been summoned.” He also said that BJP MLA OP Sharma had also been summoned.

A defensive Bassi then said that he had to follow law and order while dealing with such a situation. “I have to go as per the law and procedure,” he said. “I can understand the pain and anguish on the part of an ordinary citizen. But I have to do things are per law and order.”

The Delhi Police Commissioner also said that he will be sending a report on the incident to MHA.

Lawyer who attacked Firstpost journalist Tarique Anwar has some powerful friends

Vikram Singh Chauhan, the lawyer who shamelessly assaulted journalists and activists at the Patiala House court premises, has some very powerful friends. It’s no wonder, then, that he brazenly carried on with the attack.

Read more here .

Kanhaiya Kumar sent to judicial custody

According to reports, the JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar has been sent to judicial custody till 2 March.

Shoe hurled at Kapil Sibal

According to The Hindu, a shoe was hurled at Kanhaiya Kumar’s lawyer Kapil Sibal at the Patiala House court.

SC-appointed panel also attacked

The Supreme Court-appointed panel which visited the Patiala House Court complex was also attacked by the lawyers there.

We wonder if the attackers have decided that they will start attacking anyone who steps inside the court.

Here are the names of the lawyers who have been sent to Patiala House court by the Supreme Court:

SC sends Kapil Sibal, Dushyant Dave, Rajeev Dhawan, Harin Rawal, Ajit Sinha, ADN Rao to #PatialaHOUSE @the_hindu

— Krishnadas Rajagopal (@kdrajagopal) February 17, 2016

Another incident stone-pelting at Patiala court

Some witnesses have said that the police did try to stop the violence, but failed to do so. CPI member Dhirendra Sharma said, “I was standing near gate 5 of the court complex. Suddenly, as Kanhaiya Kumar was being produced in court, they beat him up. The police tried to intervene, but could not stop the violence.

Firstpost’s Sameer Yasir said that the agitators wer shouting slogans on the second floor of the campus, even as there was a huge rush of mediapersons outside the building. There has been yet another incident of violence, with people throwing stones at journalists as they approached the gate to the court.

Here are the names of the lawyers who have been sent to Patiala House court by the Supreme Court:

SC sends Kapil Sibal, Dushyant Dave, Rajeev Dhawan, Harin Rawal, Ajit Sinha, ADN Rao to #PatialaHOUSE @the_hindu

— Krishnadas Rajagopal (@kdrajagopal) February 17, 2016

SC steps in, sends delegation to assess situation

SC takes cognisance of the unruly scenes outside court and has sent a delegation to assess the situation outside the Patiala House Court complex. SC has decided to sitbeyond 4 pm till it gets a report from the delegation. 

SC was informed by senior advocate Indira Jaising that Kanhaiya Kumar has been attacked in court premises.

Kanhaiya Kumar was reportedly beaten up outside the court premise. 

Kanhaiya Kumar beaten in court, punched, kicked around. This is while police all around him. What the hell is going on? Is this a democracy

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 17, 2016

Kanhaiya Kumar heckled at court

SC rushes a team of lawyers with police protection to assess the ground situation at Patiala House court after TV channels reported that Kanhaiya Kumar was heckled outside the court premise. 

#JNU row case: Kanhaiya reached Patiala House Court, beaten up by lawyers.

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Visuals from when police struggled to get Kanhaiya inside Patiala House Court before he was roughed up. pic.twitter.com/GbdCLp6S6T

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

The police were mute spectators when journalists were first attacked on Monday, and they were mute spectators on Wednesday as well, said Firstpost’s Tarique Anwar

In dramatic visuals, two groups of lawyers were seen in an ugly confrontation outside the Patiala House court ahead of the production of Kanhaiya Kumar in court.

The police were in fact present at the court complex even as a group of lawyers was taking the law into their own hands. However, as journalists were attacked and Kanhaiya Kumar suffered an assault, they appeared to be missing from action.

In a shocking display of brute force, lawyers were seen thrashing Firstpost reporter Tarique Anwar outside the court.

Now, stones pelted on journalists

There seems to be no end to the ongoing violence at the Patiala court. NDTV has reported that stones were pelted at journalists outside the court complex. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked the counsel for the Delhi government to tell the city’s police commissioner to take action against those indulging in violence irrespective of their profession. If only the agitating lawyers paid heed to the apex court’s strong words.

With friends like these, who needs the police? Meet Vikram Singh Chauhan

In a white shirt and black trousers and with vermillion on his forehead, Delhi High Court lawyer Vikram Singh Chauhan sits with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in his Facebook cover photo. 

In his profile photo, the lawyer is standing with BJP veteran LK Advani. That’s not it. Starting from Shankarsinh Vaghela to Vijayvargiya and BJP’s Nirmala Sitharaman, Vikram has the knack for finding himself in the right place with the right company (pun unintended). 

The more things change, the more they stay the same

It is important to note that lawyer Vikram Chauhan, who was the first person to hit the CPI(M) activist on Monday, was again the person who started assaulting Tarique Anwar on Wednesday outside the Patiala House Court complex. 

This is pure fascism: Lawyer Prashant Bhushan to NDTV on scuffle between lawyers ahead of JNU hearing in Delhi court pic.twitter.com/PpYgSfuNj3

— NDTV (@ndtv) February 17, 2016

If the rumours are true, here is BS Bassi’s template for success – with apologies to Rudyard Kipling

If you can sit with your arms crossed, while violence ensues in court

If you can order your subordinates to do the same, while law and order takes a hike

If you make sure your responsibility is only to your political masters and not those you are appointed to protect

And when asked, stay belligerent… always stay belligerent;

Then you too, my son, can one day become Chief Information Commissioner.

#LawlessLawyers?

#LawlessLawyers thrash @firstpost reporter @tariqueejaz at Patiala House court
Where were you cops Mr @BhimBassi?https://t.co/YsxkqZV1Ew

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 17, 2016

.@firstpost reporter thrashed by lawyers at Delhi court
Where is Delhi Police?
Why no crackdown for #LawlessLawyers?https://t.co/JMpvikpY7J

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 17, 2016

Is BS Bassi in for a reward?

CNN-IBN quoted sources as saying that BS Bassi could be next Chief Information Commissioner. Bassi’s tenure as the police commissoner of Delhi finishes on 29 February. 

Selection panel to chose the new Chief Information Commissioner on 19 February.

Hearing deferred till 22 Feb

After the scuffle outside the Patiala House Court complex, Supreme Court has deferred hearing the sedition case of Kanhaiya Kumar on 22 February.

Watch: Firstpost reporter Tarique Anwar assaulted while Delhi police just watched

FP reporter Tarique Anwar assaulted by lawyers while Delhi Police looks on

Mr BS Bassi, please read this carefully.

Firstpost reporter Tarique Anwar was assaulted and beaten up by lawyers who are protesting anti-national comments by Kanhaiya Kumar outside the Patiala House Court complex in New Delhi. 

“There were two groups of lawyers. One was shouting slogans like Gaddaron ko bahar karo, and there was another group who supported the JNU student and were yelling ‘Kanhaiya tum sangharsh karo hum tumhare saath hain.’ I went inside and stood next to the police. I took out my phone to send an update to the office and saw the scuffle between the two groups. I took a photo when the group of lawyers protesting against Kanhaiya took my phone, deleted the photo and took me inside and assaulted me. All this happened in front of the Delhi police.” 

According to Anwar, Delhi police officers who were standing inside the court premises didn’t even blink, instead they stood and watched and told Anwar, “Aap yahan rukiye.”

According to Anwar, the Delhi police official was of ACP rank and Tarique escaped only when other journalists raised an alarm and asked the police to let him go.

Court gate closed after clashes

Speaking to mediapersons outside the court complex, a protesting lawyer said, “Jo Pakistan zindabad keh rahe hain, aap unhe hero bana rahe hain.” Later, the court gate was closed after clashes took place between two groups of lawyers.

Fresh protests reported at court

Lawyers including Vikram Chauhan raised slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ outside Patiala House Court complex in New Delhi. The protests were reported after SC restricted entry  in Kanhaiya Kumar’s hearing. 

Team of judges headed by District Judge Patiala House court reviewed the security inside court room and court premises.

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

People who said "Pakistan Zindabad" have been made heroes & we are being called "gundas": Vikram Chauhan pic.twitter.com/lwjcSzuCT2

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

SC asks cops to ensure proper security at Patiala House court

The apex court ordered that there will be restricted entry of people which will include the lawyers for the accused and prosecution, in the court room during the proceedings relating to the remand of Kanhaiya whose extended police custody of two days is expiring today.

Besides the presence of lawyers of both sides, the bench comprising Justices J Chelameswar and A M Sapre said that the two family members of the accused, if present, will be allowed in the court room, otherwise one faculty member of JNU and a student would be allowed on behalf of the accused.

The bench also restricted the entry of mediapersons inside the court room during the proceeding by limiting it to five journalists.

It said that 25 journalists would be allowed to enter the compound and all the entries would be allowed only after proper identification and verification.

The apex court asked the Delhi High Court Registrar General to be present in the Patiala House court complex for verification of people or group of people who have been allowed access to the court room and its compound.

It, however, said that the directions given by it were limited to only today.

The bench was informed that administrative committee of the Delhi High Court will meet at 2 PM today to analyse and peruse the report of the District Judge who was asked to prepare the account of the incident that had taken place on February 15 at the Patiala House court where the lawyers had thrashed students, teachers and journalists who were presnt in connection with the Kanhaiya Kumar case. 

PTI

Jadavpur University VC issues statement

Jadavpur University VC Suranjan Das said that the rally in the campus was not officially convened by the students’ union. 

“Some fringe elements raised slogans, we condemn it. Entire university can’t be defamed. The entire Jadavpur University student body can not be condemned,” said Das.

Students' union have categorically stated they hv disassociated from particular fringe elements who raised slogans: Jadavpur University VC

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Rally started from Jadavpur and then roamed around other streets. I don't want to comment on all that, says Jadavpur University VC

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Rally started from Jadavpur and then roamed around other streets. I don't want to comment on all that, says Jadavpur University VC

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

I will never govern the University with Police's help, it is an autonomous body, says Jadavpur University VC Suranjan Das.

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Lawyers protest outside Patiala House Court, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/U9z9hOQE7d

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Lawyers protest outside Patiala House court, Delhi pic.twitter.com/BdZ2lQHFCk

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

JNU VC speaks to the media

There was no police presence in campus, JNU vice-chancellor says while briefing media. “We strongly condemn the attack on faculty and students that happened in Patial House Court on Monday.” 

It was alleged that Jagadesh Kumar had given unfettered access to the police inside the campus. But the vice-chancellor on Wednesday confirmed that the allegations were untrue and have no basis.

SC directs Delhi HC Registrar-General to be present in Patiala House Court

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, in an unprecedented direction, has also asked the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court to be present in court when Kanhaiya Kumar is produced, PTI reported.. The order gives an indicator of the fact that the top court has taken serious note of the violence in the Patiala House court on Monday.

We are the ones carrying out the investigation and people are the ones coming up with conjectures: BS Bassi (Delhi CP) on JNU Row

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

We have adequate evidence against Kanhaiyya (JNUSU Pres) on basis of which he has been arrested: BS Bassi, Police Commissioner

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

As per our investigation some outsiders were also involved apart from JNU students. We are investigating this aspect: BS Bassi #JNURow

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

We have evidence, we will sift evidence, and take step according to law. We are unbiased, not prejudiced: BL Bassi pic.twitter.com/W2f9sPyyQj

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

No clean chit to Kanhaiya, says Bassi

Delhi Police Commissioner briefed the PMO on Wednesday and told mediapersons that Kanhaiya was arrested on the basis of evidence collected against him. “We are the ones carrying out the investigation and people are the ones coming up with conjectures. Kabhi Pradeep ki kavita yaad ati hai, dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayee bhagwan, kitna badal gaya insan,”

“We have been impartial throughout the investigation into the JNU case,” Bassi told mediapersons. Bassi added that the police is probing all aspects of the case and others connected to the case will be apprehended soon.

Kanhaiya hearing today, SC orders these precautions

Only five reporters will be allowed into the courtroom today when Kanhaiya Kumar is brought to Delhi court. Supporters of Kanhaiya have to pick two representatives to attend the hearing, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.

The rules were issued as judges took up the case of Monday’s shocking and so far unpunished attacks on journalists and JNU students and faculty by a group of lawyers and a BJP legislator, OP Sharma.

Despite the violence being caught on camera, the Delhi Police has not arrested anyone yet, and its two cases are registered against “unknown persons” even though some of the attackers, including Sharma, cannot just be clearly seen in photos and videos, but have admitted to participating in the beatings.

I criticised PM Modi and RSS: Kanhaiya

According to the interrogation report of Kanhaiya Kumar, the students’ union leader has denied raising anti-India slogans at the pro-Afzal event that was organised on the JNU campus on 9 February. However, Kumar admitted criticising RSS and PM Modi.

After Jadavpur University rally, MHA asks Bengal govt for report

After students in Kolkata raised slogans in support of terrorist Afzal Guru, the Home Ministry has asked the West Bengal government for a report.

On Tuesday evening, at a rally at Jadavpur University, cheers were raised eulogising Afzal Guru, hanged in 2013 for masterminding the attack on Parliament in 2001.  Slogans supporting independence for Kashmir from India were also heard, though the focal point of the rally was to express solidarity with Delhi’s JNU and Kanhaiya.  

“Please let me tell you in what context I have said that. We all love our country. ‘Azadi’ for us signifies freedom from atrocities, atrocities of the Modi government, and freedom from intolerance,” student leader named Nirjhar Mukhopadhay, who was one of the main organisers of the event, told NDTV.

‘We said sorry for shouting slogans, but why should we be embarrassed?’

Nhi, sharminda nhi hun: Lawyer Rajeev who raised slogans of 'Vande Mataram' during hearing in SC pic.twitter.com/dqW9gtgj33

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Rajeev Tadac and his colleague say Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai outside the court. Had apologised in court pic.twitter.com/BCzhB0CFG7

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

PHC scuffle: Lawyer Rajeev Tadac shouts 'Vande Mataram' during hearing in SC to which Judges responded, 'Is this what happens in top court'?

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Patiala House Court scuffle: Lawyer Rajeev Tadac sought forgiveness, in response to which court agreed to pardon him.

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

‘SC is critical of groups who posture and put courts under pressure’

Supreme Court on Monday ordered restricted entry into the court room at Patiala House where JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar is to be produced today. “No other advocates other than that of accused and prosecution will be present during proceedings in courtroom. Number of journalists in the courtroom should be restricted to only five,” the apex court said.

Students in Brahmputra hostel fiercely debate the arrest of Kanhaiya

The video, according to many students, in which Kanhaiya nowhere talks anything ‘anti-national’ is of 11 February. Amit Maurya, who is an active member of AISF, feels that Kanhaiya has been wrongly targetted.

Sourabh Sharma, joint secretary Delhi state AISF, says that the JNU administration had on Tuesday clearly said that they are not relying on videos released by the media they would rather go by the videos videos shot by JNU security.

Firstpost reporter from Delhi Shishir Tripathi is with JNU students

A group of hackers on Tuesday hacked the website of JNU’s central library. When a user tried to log in to lib.jnu.ac.in, what they saw was the Indian flag with the song “Aye mere watan ke logon” playing in the background.

The website claimed to be hacked by a group called “Bl@Ck Dr@GoN” who left a message on the page, “As You Said Kashmir ki Aazadi Tak Jang Rahegi-Jang Rahegi.” (You are thinking that you will get Kashmir just by barking in the campus of JNU.)“The hacking of the website was noticed after office hours.

Delhi police conducts raids in UP, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir

Delhi Police teams are conducting raids in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir. They are on the lookout for Umar Khalid, Anirbhan Bhattacharya, Riazul Haq and Rubina Saifee-all of whom are DSU members who allegedly organised the event on the eve of February 9, where anti-India slogans were raised.

Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday said, “It(JNU) is a seat of learning for some of India’s brightest young minds & also some very respectable teachers. Save it from further embarrassment.”

Sinha also said that any accusations in the JNU controversy needed to be substantiated with hard facts. “If students, teachers or politicians make accusations, they need to be prepared to substantiate them with hard facts that they can stand by,” he said in another tweet.

“JNU is going through a crisis for reasons best known to politicians. It is an institution of international repute, enviable record &history,” he added.

Former Delhi University professor SAR Geelani being produced at Patiala House Courts in New Delhi on Tuesday. Geelani has been arrested on sedition and other charges for allegedly organising an event in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. 

Vande Mataram, shout lawyers during Kanhaiya Kuma’s case hearing

CNN-IBN says that new courtroom drama was reported at the fresh hearing of Kanhaiya Kumar’s sedition case today. Lawyers disrupted proceedings at the apex court and raised slogans. Advocates shout ‘Vande Mataram’ as the court began hearing the plea against the scuffle that took place in Patiala House Court complex on Monday 

The Supreme Court bench condemned the attack on students and mediapersons, IBN reports. Supreme Court also restricted the number of people who can enter Patiala House courtroom during Kanhaiya Kumar’s hearing to 20.

Patiala House Court scuffle: SC says only lawyer concerned with the JNUSU President case will be present in the court room for hearing today

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

We support article 370. We support autonomy for Kashmir within framework of Indian Constitution: Brinda Karat,CPI(M) pic.twitter.com/u87049IG2X

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

Shotgun supports Kanhaiya

BJP’s Shatrughan Sinha, who has been famous for his dissenting voice in the party, came out in support of JNU students and Kanhaiya Kumar. 

“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.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also supported the agitating students and said that “we support autonomy for Kashmir within framework of Indian Constitution.” She was quoted by ANI after reports of Jadavpur University students agitating against government and their crackdown on JNU surfaced.

http://www.firstpost.com/india/live-jnurow-spreads-to-jadavpur-university-and-amu-seditiondebate-is-not-going-away-any-time-soon-2629694.html

Ministry of Home Affairs seeks report from West Bengal Govt over Jadavpur University incident.

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016

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

Chomsky, Pamuk support Kanhaiya Kumar and JNU students

Over 400 academicians from international universities, including Columbia, Yale, Harvard and Cambridge, have come out in support of JNU students. The list of academicians include Noam Chomsky and Orhan Pamuk, whp have recorded their condemnation of the arrest of a JNU student in a strongly-worded statement that says it is “evidence of the present government’s deeply authoritarian nature, intolerant of any dissent”.

A joint statement signed by 455 academicians from global universities, said, “JNU stands for a vital imagination of the space of the university — an imagination that embraces critical thinking, democratic dissent, student activism, and the plurality of political beliefs. It is this critical imagination that the current establishment seeks to destroy. And we know that this is not a problem for India alone”.

The statement says: “We have learnt of the shameful act of the Indian government which, invoking sedition laws formulated by India’s colonial rulers, ordered the police to enter the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus and unlawfully arrest a student leader, Mr. Kanhaiya Kumar, on charges of inciting violence –without any proof whatever of such wrongdoing on his part.”

14 senior Delhi cops shifted out

Several senior Delhi Police officers were transferred on Tuesday night amid massive outrage over the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges, NDTV reports. The Supreme Court will take up a petition that alleges that the police did nothing to stop an attack on JNU students and faculty at Patiala House Court complex on Monday.

The petition, filed by a former JNU student who was also hurt in Monday’s violence at the Patiala House Court, alleges that the police were a “mute spectator to this brazen display of brute force.”

JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar to be produced before court today, security tightened at Patiala House Court pic.twitter.com/NYKYBUwh0x

— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2016