New Delhi : There is no de-escalation of the controversy that erupted after the police action against students on the campus of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Rather, now the matter is before the Supreme Court which has agreed to urgently hear on Wednesday a petition seeking action against those involved in thrashing journalists and JNU students and teachers in the Patiala House court complex.
The petition, which has been filed by an alumnus of JNU who was hurt in the violence, has further sought action against the ‘inert’ Delhi Police which looked the other way when they were being thrashed. It has further pleaded that the Delhi Police be directed to protect the JNU students, teachers and journalists who come to either watch or cover the court proceedings.
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The petition further states the atmosphere on the court premises should not be one of fear as witnessed on Monday. It has also contended that the court should be allowed to conduct a fair hearing into the sedition charges against student leader Kanhaiya Kumar.
The Delhi Police Commissioner had on Monday termed the assault as a “minor” incident, saying it was fallout of an emotive issue.
Meanwhile, hundreds of journalists on Tuesday joined an impromptu protest march against the lawyers who beat up their colleagues in the Patiala House court complex. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the court Registrar, demanding a probe into the assault and sought suspension of licenses of lawyers involved in the beating, at least while the inquiry is on.
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A delegation of journalists also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought inquiry into the assault.
On the JNU campus, a section of the faculty joined the students and boycotted classes demanding unconditional release of student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who is charged with sedition.
The All-India Lawyers Union has also urged Delhi High Court Chief Justice Ms G Rohini to take suo motu action against the lawyers of a particular ideology and others for beating up the journalists and JNU students. “Their acts tantamount to obstruction in administration of Justice and violation of rule of law which are corner stone of our Constitution,” the union said.
