New Delhi: The general secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) on Tuesday said that it was “unfortunate and highly deplorable that universities are now being turned into war zones.”
A statement issued by JNUSU general secretary, Aejaz Ahmad Rather said the kind of “vilification not only of Kashmiri students but of AMU by mainstream media is very disturbing.”
“In a democratic, secular, liberal republic; freedom of expression is being muzzled en masse,” he said in his statement.
He said it was a concern for all the individuals who believe in the democratic institutions.
“University is a space where freedom of thought and ideas have to be cultivated. Instead of that, we are seeing an atmosphere of fear and hatred is being created across the country,” he said.
He said the students studying in campuses across do not need militarily or draconian interventions. “There is a need of dialogue to address the issues not ruining careers of students by sending them to prisons under sedition laws. This will grow more hatred and violence,” he said.
Demanding to drop the sedition charges on three Kashmir students at AM, he urged the govt of J&K, Central govt, civil society, and media have to handle this situation with sensitivity, not an iron hand. “Every concern has a value whether it is related to their safety of family back home or their safety on the campus,” he added.