Kapil Sibal raised questions on JNU-DU’s advisory preventing people from going to Jantar Mantar. He asked under which SC order there is this ban and whether the government wants to make students-teachers government employees, which is a threat to democracy.
New Delhi [भारत]July 24 (ANI): Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal on Friday criticized the advisories issued by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU). In this advisory, students, teachers and staff were asked to avoid attending or attending functions at or near Jantar Mantar. Sibal raised questions on the basis of the advisory and asked whether there is any order of the Supreme Court which stops people from going to Jantar Mantar. He said such advice discourages students, teachers and staff from expressing their views.
‘Should our students become government employees?’
Speaking to reporters, Sibal said, “I am surprised what the vice-chancellors of the higher institutions of our country are doing… I have seen a tweet about JNU that whoever is the community of JNU, they should adopt their attitude in the right way because it is a question of their own security, which means their safety and security is at risk… Tell us which is the Supreme Court directive where they say you cannot go to Jantar Mantar; please.” Tell us also… This means that you, Vice Chancellor Sahib, will tell your staff, community, lecturers, students that you should do your work responsibly, do not go to Jantar Mantar, do not tweet, do not go on social media, do not express your opinion in front of the public, do not take sides with anyone.” He further said, “What do you want, that our students should become government employees? Should our academicians also become government employees? If you become government employees, then everyone should become government employees? So the citizens of India should also become government employees, then why do we talk about democracy.”
Universities had issued advisories
His comments came after Jawaharlal Nehru University issued an advisory asking students, teachers and staff to avoid attending or attending gatherings at or near Jantar Mantar, citing Supreme Court directions on public demonstrations. In its advisory, JNU said that all members of the university community should act responsibly and prioritize their personal safety. Delhi University had also issued a security advisory asking students and faculty members to avoid participating in unauthorized meetings and demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. (ANI)
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