Surinder Koul
For charge sheeting three JNU students under sedition law by Delhi police, there was hue and cry against this law. It is being argued why this British colonial era law of sedition is still in force in India. Legal luminaries like Kapil Sibal and P. Chidambaram of both from Congress party have come out against the law of sedition when presently in opposition. It is reminded that during their UPA rule, both as Union Cabinet Ministers, were silent on law of sedition. Hanging of Afzal Guru in 2011 for attacking Indian Parliament was charged under sedition law. Both Kapil Sibal and P.Chidamberam did not utter a word against Sedition law at that time. TV anchors, as usual did mention the examples of many foreign countries, where sedition law was scraped. They raised questions about this draconian law which is still in practices in legal lexicons in India even after seventy years of independent sovereign India. Earlier, also political leaders of Left and APP demanded its abolition but made least efforts for its abrogation in the parliament. On the contrary, many political leaders assembled at JNU in support of students to derive the mileage out of this ruckus in 2016. JNU student leaders Omar Khalid, Kanhiaya and group of Kashmiri students raised anti-India slogans, balkanisation of India, Azadi slogans and slogans for continuing the struggle to divide India till Kashmir gets liberated from Indian yoke. Who could think of such slogans, only Indian enemy can work for balkanisation of India? It amply indicates that the JNU student group were operating on the direction of country’s ill-wishers. These students were also responsible for poisoning the minds of other students studying in the country’s leading educational institute. Their action obviously, could further extend to other educational institution in India. Raising anti India slogans has been innovated lately by disgruntled groups, which becomes feverish when Kashmiri students studying in the institution are part of it. Such anti national slogans in professional colleges invites the wrath of local students and of surrounding populace which is bound to flare up into communal or regional clashes. Thereby, it brings bad name to the institution and friendly atmosphere is spoiled and police is compelled to take legal action. Certainly, such kind of sloganeering is liable for punitive action under sedition law, because it is directly aimed at to destroy very natural and foundation of the India having firm cultural history.
Subramaniam Swamy, BJP, M.P rightly said on TV debate ,” our enemy Pakistan wants balkanisation of India and the slogans hurled by JNU students qualifies them as enemy within the country, so they should be punished under law of sedition.” He further added that sedition was colonial era law but its extension in post independence was endorsed by none other than Jawaharlal Nehru. Swamy also mentioned that India should not be compared with Western countries, because Indians have yet to emerge as a Nation.
Some liberal and democrats and Left are interpreting slogans shouted by JNU student group led by Kanhiya , Omar Khalid and Shalia Rashid as freedom of expression. Is it a freedom of expression to abuse or disrespect one’s own country which provides, free education, scholarship for higher education and security of life and property? One may have disenchantment with particular ruling dispensation or with some political ideology, but that does not mean to demean the very bases of the country where one is born. Diverse political ideologies, opinions and views in liberal society are welcome and there is the need for having right to freedom of expression. To aspire for breaking of the country till the liberation of Kashmir is achieved, straightway amounts to war against the state of, which every Indian are going fight tooth and nail. Who would like further division of the mother land, when we still are healing the deep wound caused by killing of thousands of people, displacement of mass across the line on the bases of religion, loss of property and suffering of women on both sides in 1947? Why, JNU student leaders slogans can be treated as freedom of expression? By what measurement or by any logic, these anti national slogan are classified as freedom of expression? By supporting a particular section of nobility are hatching damaging segment in the country. Those who supplement anti-India slogans they may be politicians or liberals are also partner to their crime and liable for punishment under law of the land.
Law of sedition is to remain as it is. Thinking of scraping it is absurd in India. India still is abounding in fissiparous tendencies all over. It is land of divergent people, languages, religions and sects which have not fully amalgamated as a one nation. Unanimity in cricket matches or on skirmish on Indian borders with Pakistan and China does not signify sense of cohesiveness among the masses with India as a Nation. In Kashmir, India is facing religious insurgency sponsored by Pakistan for last three decades. Pakistan ISI agency has spread its tentacles in other parts of the country from Kashmir, Nepal, Bangladesh through sleeper cells which would be active on the directions from across. They have roped in Sikh separatists also causing consistent worry from territorial point of view. Khalistani Sikhs from across the border are made to display anti India rants under close supervision of Pakistan agencies. To meet all these security challenges and threats, India must have stringent laws in force.
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