Burning effigy completely democratic and acceptable form of marking protest: NSUI defends JNU demonstration

The Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) today defended the burning of PM Narendra Modi and others effigy as Raavan inside the JNU campus on the occasion of Dussehra, saying that though it doesn’t encourage the practice of effigy burning and it will take up the matter with its JNU unit, the purpose of the demonstration was to protest the RSS ideology being imposed upon students in educational institutions. 

“The organisational Code of Conduct in its desirable norm of behaviour dejects effigy burning as a form of protest,” a statement issued by the NSUI said.

The NSUI further blamed RSS and BJP for ‘promoting’ unrest in educational institutions across the country.

“We have been witnessing rising unrest particularly among students since RSS-BJP has come to power. There has been a systematic attack by the government on education institutions across the country. They have been interfering with autonomy,” the statement said.

“The purpose of this demonstration by JNU NSUI was to protest against the imposition of RSS ideology upon students within educational institutions. Since Vijaydashmi marks the victory of good over evil, this demonstration was meant to mark the defeat of ‘evil’ RSS ideology,” it added.

“In between the debates on the form of protest, the intention behind it is getting defeated. The protest was a manifestation of the anger boiling up among students. Although this act doesn’t find place in NSUI Code of Conduct, it is completely democratic and an acceptable form of marking protest,” it further said.

A major controversy erupted today after a video showing NSUI members burning an effigy of PM Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Baba Ramdev and others went viral on social media platforms. 

Besides Modi, the effigy had faces of BJP president Amit Shah, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Sadhvi Pragya, Nathuram Godse, Asaram Bapu and JNU Vice-Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar. 

NSUI members said that they were protesting against the NDA government’s ‘failure’ in honouring its promises and the continuous attacks on various educational institutions across the country.

The protesting students also raised anti-government slogans and displayed placards with the slogan, ‘truth shall prevail over evil’.

The effigy was burnt near the Saraswati Dhaba inside the university campus. 

When university administration was contacted, officials said that they are investigating the matter.

“The effigy burning incident at JNU was brought to our notice. We are investigating the matter and examining all relevant information,” the VC said in tweet.

BJP blames Sonia Gandhi

BJP, on the other hand, said that this has been done at the behest of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

“This is a well planned event… at the behest of Sonia Gandhi. The Congress party is nervous, especially after the surgical strikes. Look at their leaders, what they are speaking about the government. It is very rightful to say here – ‘Congress ka haath Pakistan ke sath’. They are basically giving moral support to Pakistan,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra told India TV. 

“This never happened in India earlier. This is the first time that on the occasion Dussehra an effigy of Prime Minister depicting as Raavan is burned. It is true that democratically you have right to protest against the PM but this never happened before. When the entire nation is joining hands to fight against terrorism, the Congress party is doing politics,” he added.

Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi criticised the BJP for blaming Sonia Gandhi.

“It is wrong to blame Soniaji. And I can’t see anything wrong in the slogans… but depicting Prime Minister as Raavan is absolutely not right. Godse and others are okay,” he said.

When specifically asked whether any action will be taken against the NSUI members or not, he replied, “It is yet to confirm who they are. They are young …they do mistakes. But it doesn’t mean they should be hanged.”

The central university was at the centre of controversy earlier this year after a group of students raised anti-India slogans and criticised the Narendra Modi government over Kashmir policy.