The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha on Wednesday filed a new complaint against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, this time for saying security personnel have been raping women in Kashmir. Kumar, who was earlier charged with sedition and is out on bail, was speaking at a women’s day event when he criticised the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives soldiers almost absolute immunity in areas declared conflict-ridden.
“…we will speak up against human rights violations. We will raise our voice against AFSPA. While we have a lot of respect for our soldiers, we will still talk about the fact that in Kashmir women are raped by security personnel,” Kumar had said. Kumar also pointed out that rape is systematically used as a tool of control and dominance during conflict or war, giving similar examples from the Rwandan genocide and the Gujarat riots.
However, the BJYM believed Kumar’s remarks were “anti-national”, and lodged a complaint with the Vasant Vihar police. “Despite the submission of an undertaking before court, Kanhaiya has yet again addressed a gathering of students and uttered poisonous words against the Indian Army,” the BJYM’s statement said.
The group also filed a complaint against JNU professor Nivedita Menon for saying Kashmir is not a part of India and the pro-azaadi slogans are justified. Menon has stood by her statements. The police said they had received the complaints, but no FIRs have been filed yet.
Kumar was arrested on February 12 on charges of sedition after a group of students organised a protest against the hanging of Parliament attacks convict Afzal Guru on campus on February 9.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!