DU PROTEST

AMN / New Delhi

A large number of students today held a protest march in Delhi University against the last week’s Ramjas college incident. The students from DU, JNU, Jamia and Ambedkar Universities and faculty members joined the march and raised slogans against the ABVP accusing it of being responsible for the violence. Later, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, D Raja of CPI and K C Tyagi of JD(U) also participated in the march.

The Student wing of Congress also went on a day long hunger strike in the University campus to protest against recent violence in Ramjas college.

du rape threatJumping into the controversy, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of playing politics through violent means in the campus. He also met Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to demand strict action against those behind the incident.

Countering the opposition charges, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused them of politicizing the issue. He asserted that freedom of speech is respectable but anti- national activities will not be allowed. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu condemned all kinds of violence.

Meanwhile, ABVP blamed the Left backed student groups for vandalism in the campus saying they are spreading anti-national propaganda in the University. It alleged that some miscreants want to spoil academic atmosphere.

Last week, Left-affiliated AISA and BJP-backed ABVP clashed with each other at Ramjas college causing injuries to many. The reason of the clash was an invite to JNU students, Umar Khalid, who is facing sedition charge, and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar.

The seminar was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP. A few policemen and journalists were also roughed up during the violence.