JNU row: NHRC notices to Centre, Delhi government, police and varsity

NEW DELHI: The NHRC has issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government, Delhi Police and authorities of the Jawaharlal Nehru University over police action on the varsity campus following a row over an event against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, sources in the panel said today.

Notices were issued after the National Human Rights Commission, took cognizance of media reports about the event where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, leading to the arrest of JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges.

"However, the President of the JNU Students Union, Kanhaiya Kumar, has denied the allegations stating that he went to the spot only to intervene in a clash between two groups. It is also alleged that police is mindlessly patrolling the campus and students are being witch-hunted and demonized for doing nothing.

"It is widely alleged that the action of the police was illegal and high-handed and was an attempt to suppress freedom of speech and expression in academic institutions. It is also alleged that the charge of sedition was falsely added to intimidate those who dissent," said the panel while issuing notices to Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary, Delhi government, Delhi Police Commissioner and Registrar at JNU.

The NHRC has sought their response within two weeks.