New Delhi, Jan 6 (UNI) Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday strongly condemned the raising of alleged seditious slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) following the rejection of bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid.
In a statement, Sood said that raising such slogans on the JNU campus was “extremely condemnable.” He said that while democracy allows the right to dissent, there is no place for violence, provocation or ideological extremism.
The minister said differences with the Prime Minister or the union Home Minister should remain limited to policy matters. He added that debate and discussion on education, economic policies and other public issues are welcome in a democracy, but there should be no sympathy for those who try to break the nation.
Referring to Sharjeel Imam, Sood said he was the same person who had earlier spoken about cutting off the “Chicken’s Neck” to separate the Northeast from the rest of the country.
He also alleged that Umar Khalid’s name had surfaced in connection with anti-national slogans and the 2020 riots.
Sood said it was unfortunate that such elements receive political patronage, claiming that some leaders have shared platforms with Sharjeel Imam. He also alleged that leaders linked to the INDIA Alliance have contested elections alongside Kanhaiya Kumar.
According to the Home Minister, when such individuals are given protection and ideological support, anti-national elements get encouragement in reputed institutions like JNU.
He said slogans raised in support of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid were not only condemnable but also against the nation.
Sood said such acts fall under the ambit of sedition and added that he condemns them in the strongest possible terms.
