The assault on JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar inside Patiala Court premises is an abhorrent violation of human rights. It has predictably and rightly raised a storm of protest. Moreover, the failure of the police to protect a student under its custody from physical harm appears to be a wilful dereliction of duty.
That Mr Kumar was attacked twice when he was being led into the court premises, is evident of the intensified intolerance that threatens all dissenters, political opponents and outspoken critics. It is unfortunate that the Union Government, which controls Delhi Police, is doing nothing to stop the goondas masquerading as lawyers, attacking persons in police custody and even journalists doing their duty.