AMN /
Jawaharlal Nehru University student Union JNUSU president (JNU) Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested on sedition charges, appealed for peace after he was attacked twice by lawyers at court.
“I believe in the unity and integrity of India and I do not support any unconstitutional or anti-national activities,” Mr Kumar, 28, said in a statement at the Pataiala House Court, where his bail plea was heard. He was sent to jail till March 2.
Mr Kumar was arrested on Friday for allegedly making anti-national remarks during an event at JNU on February 9 to mark the anniversary of the 2013 hanging of terrorist Afzal Guru; anti-India slogans were raised during that event.
“I have said earlier too. I am an Indian. I have full faith in the Constitution as well as the judiciary of the country,” Kumar told metropolitan magistrate Lovleen when he was produced for remand proceedings.
“The media trial against me is painful. If there is evidence against me that I am a traitor, then you please send me to jail. But if there no evidence against me, there should be no media trial,” he said in a statement at the start of the proceedings.
Kumar, who has been booked under sedition charge in connection with an event in JNU where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised last week, has been arrested by Delhi Police. He has been remanded to judicial custody till March 2. Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi said if Kumar applies for bail, then police will not object to it.
“I personally feel, a young person…perhaps be given bail,” he told reporters.
In court, Mr Kumar said: “On the 9th February 2016, there was an unfortunate incident which occurred at my prestigious university and I condemn it. After watching videos obtained from different sources, I have found out that in JNU, some JNU people and some others were raising anti-national slogans. I do not support those anti-national slogans and I would like to appeal to you that in matters like these, the country, our society and universities should not disturb the peace.”