Kanhaiya Kumar arrived to a hero’s welcome – not only at the JNU campus but also at the center-stage of Indian politics and both mainstream as well as social media gave space to almost an hour-long speech that had a mix of humour, taunts, sarcasm and above all fire.
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Some rights campaigners say the Hindu nationalist government is using the British-era sedition law to clamp down on dissent. “For the first time, the nation can see the power of the youth of the Left”.
Kumar was also trending on Facebook and Twitter in India yesterday.
“We are all relaxed that Kanhaiya is back but the fight is far from over”, PhD student Priyanka Das told IANS, summing up the general mood in the student community. Most were certain that, by arresting him, the Modi government had created a new leader. “We want (Babasaheb Bhimrao) Ambedkar and Vemula to be born in every house”, Kanhaiya said. He quoted from 3 Idiots movie and said, “I am not a politician, I am a student”.
While addressing a group of students after his release at JNU campus, Kanhaiya launched a scathing attack at Prime Minister Modi government and targeted the Centre on several issues. Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu tried to dismiss him by claiming that Kumar was “enjoying free publicity”.
On being asked if he will join the politics, Kanhaiya said, “I am not a politician, I am a student, who’s been elected to represent the interests of my fraternity”.
On his release, the student leader said that the students wanted “freedom in India, not freedom from India”. In his speech, Kanhaiya said, “Modiji only says “mann ki baat”, but doesn’t listen to it”.
The 28-year-old said that he saluted the soldiers guarding the country. “We don¿t look at the ABVP as an enemy, we look at them like the Opposition”, he said.
“Universities are meant for education”. His speech was that of a very matured person. They must study rather than getting involved in politics. “I am being told students are finding it hard travelling in trains if passengers get to know they are from JNU, autowallahs are refusing to ferry them”.
“I have many differences with the PM but I agree with his tweet Satyameva Jayate because these words are in our Constitution”, he said, as his passionate speech was punctuated by repeated cheers and raising of slogans.
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Afzal Guru is not an icon for me, Rohit Vemula is my icon, said Kanhaiya at a press conference after his fiery speech last night. “So, the question about my political ambitions should be kept aside”, he said.
