JNU row: Cong wants Prez to protect freedom & prevent subversion of democratic rights
18 February, New Delhi
Congress Thursday apprised President Pranab Mukherjee of “subversion of democratic rights and situation of lawlessness” in the JNU campus in the national capital here and sought his immediate intervention for upholding freedom and values that have built the nation.
A 17-member delegation of senior party leaders led by its vice-president Rahul Gandhi called on Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum to express its concern over the prevailing situation and demand his intervention to ensure immediate action by authorities for addressing the situation.
“The scenes of utter lawlessness playing out on the premises of the court in the heart of the capital are an affront to the democratic ideals of this country..,..Journalists, students and teachers are being physically assaulted inside and outside the court premises by a BJP legislator and workers, while the Police look the other way and the government remains complacent and silent despite a direct order from the Supreme Court to ensure adequate security outside the Patiala House Court, the government has refused to prevent attacks on journalists and students,” the party told the President in the memorandum”.
The Supreme Court Panel appointed to assess the situation was itself subjected to abuse and assault, such lawlessness in defiance of a Supreme Court directive on two occasions by the same set of people some of whom are identified with the ruling dispensation on various fora cannot but be without the tacit support, encouragement or at behest, the indifference of ruling establishment..,..the government’s complete failure in managing tensions and restoring law and order and its refusal to protect the democratic rights of its citizens is a cause of deep concern to us”, the party stated.
“The attack on the press appears to be designed to intimidate and threaten the fourth pillar of our democracy, to prevent them from doing their job without fear or favour..,..this does not bode well forour democracy..,..it is unacceptable”, it held in the memorandum.
The Opposition party also pointed out that the violence at Patiala House Court was not an isolated incident.
”Over the last few months, the NDA government has displayed a dangerous tendency of undermining the democratic freedoms and crushing the voices of those who do not share their views.
“Last month, Rohith Vemula, a PhD student at Hyderabad Central University was pushed to commit suicide after he was deemed anti-national merely for his association with the Ambedkar Students Association(ASA)..,..most worryingly such intimidation and violence is taking place with alarming regularity in our universities, which are meant to nurture new ideas, encourage debate and discussion across the country, whether in JNU, in Hyderabad Central University, in FTII and other places of learning, students are being bullied and threatened simply for holding views contrary to the ruling establishment,” the two-page memorandum said.
“The Congress Party and its leadership condemn any expression of anti-nationalism outright..,..those indulging in such behaviour must be identified and dealt with strictly..,..but we are here as representatives of all the young and vibrant students who love and believe in the founding ideals ofour nation and our Constitution..,..their right to debate, dissent, criticize and express their views fearlessly must be defended,” the party demanded.
“As representatives of the people of India, we cannot stand by quietly as the government fails todo its duty by the people..,..we are here to place our concerns before you and request your assistance in ensuring that immediate action is taken to check the state of lawlessness and subversion of democratic rights..,..as the patron of Universities, we call upon you to protect their freedom and uphold the values that built our nation”, the party urged.