I am following your ideals and I have done nothing wrong. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar — arrested on February 12 and remanded in judicial custody on February 17 on sedition charges — told this to his family members, including his brother and uncle, who met him in Tihar Jail on Monday, a day before his second hearing on his bail application before the Delhi High Court is to be heard on Tuesday.
“Kanhaiya is fine, but we fear threat to his life,” said Manikant Kumar Singh, his elder brother, adding, “We have faith in judiciary, we are sure that justice will be served. But, the way he was beaten under police protection while he was being taken to Patiala Court puts questions on security arrangements. We fear a similar situation might happen on Tuesday as there is a threat to his life.”
Kanhaiya’s family is hopeful that he would be freed by the judiciary as there is no evidence to prove him guilty.
“Everyone knows that the videos were doctored and he has not said anything remotely anti-national. He was not even the organiser of the event; he reached 1.5 hours late when trouble began between the two groups. We are leftists. Our family members have sacrificed their lives for the nation. One of our sons (Kanhaiya’s cousin) Dilip Kumar, who was a CRPF jawan, was martyred during Assam elections. So, Kanhaiya can never do this,” said Kanhaiya’s uncle Rajendra Singh.
“Kanhaiya was really concerned about us and asked if the entire family has been safe till now, whether we were asked to relocate or ostracised by people after all that had taken place in the past one week. We reassured him that everything is fine at home and he need not worry about the situation back home,” said Manikant.
Rajendra said the boy is mentally strong. “Kanhaiya’s mother has also sent a message to him and said the entire country is with him and he shall go ahead with courage,” his uncle added.
During their brief conversation, Kanhaiya told his family that police asked for all his passwords on Facebook, Gmail and Twitter. “He has given them all the passwords. Everything is open. He is not hiding anything. His account has also been hacked,” said Manikant.