Country keen to hear alternative voice in JNU: Ravi Shankar Prasad

NEW DELHI: Amid a raging debate over the JNU incident, the government today said there is an "alternative voice" in the university which should also be heard.

"JNU is a very premier institution of India, widely respected also. It has produced outstanding civil servants, great academicians and also well known public figures. Its faculty and students also excel well.

"We all think there is also a very eloquent, powerful and constructive alternative voice in the JNU. The country is equally eager to hear that voice," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media after a Cabinet meeting.

The JNU row was not discussed in the Cabinet, he said.

There is a criticism from the right wing that the university has become a hotbed of extreme Left elements articulating "anti-national" sentiments.

Prasad, however, evaded a direct reply on violence targeting journalists and students in the Patiala House court complex yesterday as well today, saying the matter is under investigation and he himself had yesterday condemned "what happened to the press people".

Mediapersons and students were attacked yesterday by men in lawyers' dress and violence was repeated today in defiance of a Supreme Court order to restrict people's movement in the court to rule out such attacks.

Asked about the JNU issue and the violence in the court, he said, "The entire matter is under investigation. The Police Commissioner came on television and explained everything about both the cases; what happened to the press people which I yesterday condemned. Both are under investigation Therefore, I need not comment," he said.