New Delhi: Protesting the punishment awarded to him by JNU in connection with controversial February 9 event, ABVP member Saurabh Sharma on Saturday appealed to President Pranab Mukherjee to "protect nationalist and responsible students".
Sharma, who was complainant of the event on JNU campus during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, has been slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 by the university after the probe panel found him "guilty" of blocking traffic.
"I along with the other responsible citizens and nationalist students of JNU had submitted an objection opposing the anti-national and seditious activity on February 9 to JNU administration. It withdrew permission accordingly. However, the organisers along with support of some student leaders continued with the event," Saurabh said in a letter to the President.
"I have been punished for opposing the procession and assisting the process of law in arrest of the accused who were organising the anti-India event. The JNU administration has failed to distinguish between the anti-India students and nationalist students. The office-order of the Chief Proctor warns me not to oppose any such event/procession in future," he said.
Alleging the action against him is an act of criminalising patriotism and nation-service, the student leader further said," this shall create a dangerous precedent for the nationalist and responsible citizen-students of India whereby they shall fear to oppose such the anti-national event and slogans for balkanisation of India".
"I request you to protect us and strengthen our confidence in nation-service and patriotism. I wish to ask to your esteemed authority whether opposing such anti-national seditious slogans and chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' will be crime in this country," added Saurabh who is lone ABVP member in JNU students union.
Saurabh along with 4 ABVP members, are on indefinite hunger strike since Wednesday demanding withdrawal of punishment against him. He also claimed that his glucose level has dipped according to the tests conducted at the university's health centre and he has been advised to call off the fast.
