Anand Sharma says he was attacked physically by ABVP activists

Prior to the left parties’ discussion with Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the JNU row, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP government, accusing it of “bullying” the prestigious institution which is known as breeding ground for Indian left leaning politics.

Apart from Gandhi, party’s Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, who is himself a former JNUSU leader, CPI national secretary D. Raja, CPM-Leninist leader Kavita Krishnan and other senior leaders on Saturday visited JNU and joined the protest.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was on Saturday shown black flags during his visit on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus to meet students protesting for the release of Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar.

Sharma, Deputy Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha, told PTI that the SPG had to take Gandhi out by an alternate vehicle as the alleged attackers had surrounded the vehicle of the Congress Vice President as well. Asking the PM to take action against those involved in the attack, Mr Surjewala said, “Will PM, Modi take action against ABVP goondas?”

Hinting towards ABVP, Gandhi said, “Those who showed black flags on my face, I feel proud that in my country they have the right to show black flags”.

“It is unfortunate that instead of raising his voice, he condemned the probe done by the government”. “BJP government, in garb thereof, has unleashed its anti-JNU tirade”.

“While Anti-India sentiment is certainly unacceptable, the best to dissent & debate is an important ingredient of democracy Modi Govt & ABVP bullying an establishment like JNU just because it will not toe their line is totally condemnable”, he tweeted. It’s worth noting that at least five students of JNU are absconding in anti-national slogans case. Truth is that JNU is a laboratory of liberal and democratic thought process, producing some of the finest minds in India and world in every sphere.

“All this was done with a view to intimidate and stifle the voice of liberal and democratic thought process”, the statement added. But once legal action was taken, he is speaking the voice of Hafiz Sayeed. Will Prime Minister tell the student community of India the reason for curbing the freedom of expression?