This refers to the editorial, “JNU issue and beyond” (February 15). The police crackdown on Jawaharlal Nehru University and the arrest of students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar has been made in haste. Proper investigation should have been done before the order for his arrest was made. Universities are spaces for debate and discussion on serious issues, to develop ideas and arguments, which can help shape broad policies. The video footage nowhere suggests that Mr Kumar raised anti-national slogans.
In fact, he clearly said that the Jawaharlal Nehru University or its students do not support any anti-national ideology. His invitation to contest ideas of violence and terrorism should have been taken intellectually by the student groups who were representing other ideological leanings. A better counter-argument can only win such debates. Mr Kumar should be released and given a chance to put in place his arguments. If found guilty, he should be punished; if not, the Delhi police must apologise.