Student Kanhaiya Kumar wants Union Minister Smriti Irani to quit

New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on Tuesday demanded that Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani immediately quit her post.

Kumar joined an ‘azaadi’ protest march to Parliament Tuesday demanding the release of JNU research scholars Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and former Delhi University lecturer SAR Geelani who are in jail on sedition charges.

Kanhaiya told media: “We want Smriti Irani’s resignation, sedition charges dropped, students released from jail, no interference in JNU’s autonomy and a law against caste politics in colleges."

Read: JNU row: Delhi High Court dismisses plea for action against Kanhaiya Kumar

Kanhaiya Kumar has been served a show-cause notice by JNU, but it 'does not mention rustication', he said. 

"I have not been rusticated. The university authorities have issued a show-cause notice to me and sought a reply by 5 pm tomorrow," Kanhaiya said while leading the march.

"I would like to tell the people of the nation that JNUSU is fighting for saving democracy in this country. That's why we are marching today to demand that students, who have been jailed for anti-national activities, be set free," he added.

Read: JNU row: Delhi court extends custody of Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya

Kanhaiya further said the 'Rohith Act', a law proposed by agitating students against discrimination in universities, should be brought and implemented to safeguard social justice.

The march, which began from the Mandi House, ended at Parliament Street, New Delhi.

Left party leaders D Raja and Sitaram Yechury were also present at the march and expressed solidarity with the agitating students.

Author-activist Arundhati Roy also addressed the gathering saying, "We are looking at revolutionary politics. We are at the beginning of a battle between those who know how to play and those who don't. People who are called anti national are nature lovers. People who call themselves national are the ones ruining things".

Meanwhile, during his speech four persons tried to attack Kanhaiya at frequent intervals following which they were detained.

Also read: JNU row: Nitish questions panel's advice for rusticating Kanhaiya Kumar

A high-level committee of JNU has reportedly recommended the rustication of Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and two other students for their alleged role in the February 9 event at which anti-national slogans were raised in the JNU campus.

The five-member committee are also in favour of fining some students, including Kanhaiya, who were present at the event. A final call, however, will be taken by the office of the university's chief proctor.

Sources said a decision on the recommendation will be taken by vice-chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar and chief proctor A. Dimri.

Sources said a decision on the recommendation will be taken by vice-chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar and chief proctor A. Dimri.

The committee was formed on February 10 to probe the event organised to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict. Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the programme. Kumar was released on bail from Tihar on March 3 while the other two remained in judicial custody.

JNU had on March 11 revoked the academic suspension of eight students including Kumar. It was decided to keep them under suspension from academic activities till the inquiry was over. They were allowed to stay in the hostels.