Shiv Sena questions free publicity for 'poisonous snake' Kanhaiya Kumar

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Monday cautioned the BJP-led government over the free publicity being given to JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who is presently out on an interim bail following charges of sedition.

The Shiv Sena in its party mouthpiece Saamna said Kanhaiya, who came to light after the anti-national sloganeering in the JNU, is blabbering like politicians.

"In JNU, the death anniversary of Afzal Guru was celebrated. Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during this event and was also charged with sedition (which he says is against government not against India), but now Kanhaiya is out on bail and is acting as poisonous cobra who with his expanded hood is threatening the BJP and others," it added.

The editorial further said that Kanhaiya has been charged with sedition and despite that he got a rousing welcome in the JNU.

"In his speech, Kanhaiya went on to say many things in a simple language. It is obvious that those in power would be irked by his speech because after Anna Hazare and Kejriwal the 'media' has made him a hero," the editorial added.

Quoting Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu for his 'free publicity' remark on Kanhaiya, the editorial asked as to who was responsible for this free publicity.

"Nothing comes for free in our country because even the provident funds are being taxed by the government. In short, the government has vindicated that 'nothing comes for free'. The media only serves what sells," it added.

The editorial further said that the government should take a serious note of the fact that Kanhaiya despite having a sedition charge against him is being portrayed as a hero.

"How could Kanhaiya get bail so early while Hardik Patel is still inside jail on same charges," it added.

The Sena in its mouthpiece went on to say that if the growing disappointment in the youth continue to rise then the day is not far when without Pakistan's assistance there would be 'blasts' in the country.

"Kanhaiya claims he is not a politician, but a student. Yet, he would be going into poll campaigning for Left Parties and would again get free publicity," it said.

"It seems that Kanhaiya is ahead and the government is back, but somebody has to be made responsible for it," it further added.

Criticising the whole episode, the mouthpiece said "If people like Kanhaiya are made heroes out of one speech then those who are being martyred on the border would be termed as crazy."

The mouthpiece further said Kanhaiya has posed a challenge of free publicity.