Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students in a fight to find missing student Najeeb Ahmad, taking it to another level of politicised campaign.
Hitting an anti-Modi salvo, Kejriwal said only after the youth of country call for a joint movement at India Gate, the Prime Minister will act to bring Najeeb back.
“We should take this movement outside JNU and teams to the universities across the country to mobilise the youth...it is only when Modi will realise that his vote bank among the youth is getting lost, within two days Najeeb will be found,” Kejriwal said. The CM asked Najeeb’s mother not to lose hope and said the only thing that will bring him back is “people’s power.”
The CM has also sent a letter to the Home Ministry regarding the matter. Accusing the ABVP of being involved in Najeeb’s missing, the Delhi CM said it (Delhi Police) is not interrogating the real perpetrators. Najeeb went missing on October 15 morning after an alleged brawl with ABVP activists at Maha Mandavi hostel.
Taking a jibe at JNU administration, Kejriwal said, “Your V-C is not taking any step because he is scared, if he does something even he will go missing.” The CM amid a gathering of politicians like Mani Shankar Iyer, Prakash Karat, Manish Sisodia accused the ruling BJP of polarisation in the country. The gathering met outside JNU administration block on Thursday evening.
Tharoor said universities are a place where students come to discuss things and not get disappeared. He also called for an independent and fair investigation into Najeeb’s issue.
“Nobody vanishes without any reason for 20 days...that reason must be established...we want justice for Najeeb.
There has to be a serious and independent investigation,” Tharoor said. Earlier in the day, JNU administration issued a statement appealing to the entire JNU community to unite to trace Najeeb and keep away from unnecessary politicisation.
The JNU administration asked the students and teachers to “discourage obstructive politics and protests” in the campus alleging it is hampering the smooth functioning of the university and “unreasonable” demands are being raised through demonstrations. The appeal by the varsity comes in wake of protests by various student groups and teachers for the last two weeks over missing student Najeeb Ahmed. The students union has called a solidarity meeting on the issue this evening where various political leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress’ Mani Shankar Aiyar will address a gathering.
A large number of faculty, students, officers and staff have repeatedly approached the JNU administration expressing their discomfort and disagreement with the frequent politicisation and holding of dharnas and public meetings near the administration building and the academic areas,” the appeal issued by Vice-Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar said.