Thousands of students from various universities across the country today hit the streets of the capital demanding justice for Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula and protesting the JNU row with Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joining them in slamming the Modi government against "crushing" voices of dissent.
In the second such protest in less than a week, the students marched from central Delhi's Jhandewalan to Jantar Mantar where they held a rally which was addressed by Rahul, Kejriwal, CPI's D Raja, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri, social activist Medha Patkar and mother of Rohith Vemula and all of them warned the NDA government against "messing" with young minds.
Mounting a fresh attack, Rahul accused the Modi dispensation and RSS of stifling voices of dissent of college and university students across the country while Kejriwal accused those in power of "distributing certificates of patriotism", alleging that "goondaism" has been unleashed to crush dissent.
Rahul said his party will fight for enactment of a law to protect them from "discrimination" and "suppression".
"We need a law to ensure that students in colleges and universities do not face discrimination and their voice is not stifled," Rahul said, lending support to the students.
The Congress Vice President also slammed the government for not including issues like Rohith's death and difficulties being faced by students of universities in the President's address to Parliament today.
Kejriwal, who came to rally an hour after Rahul left, said the Centre was at "war" with the students of the country and asked the Prime minister to "mend his ways". Otherwise, he said, students will "teach him a lesson".
"What happened that youth who had supported Modi have risen against him today? This government seems to be at war with students of the country.
"Now they have started distributing certificates of patriotism. They are distributing certificates as to who is a patriot and who is a traitor. They will beat anyone up, or rape anyone and justify it by saying that they were raising slogans against India.
"This goondaism won't be tolerated. For them the biggest patriot is Nathuram Godse and the biggest traitor is Kanhaiya. The biggest patriot is Adityanath and traitor Mahatma Gandhi. Biggest patriot Sadhvi Ritambhara and biggest traitor Aamir Khan. For them all these hoodlums are patriots," he said.
Kejriwal said youth of the country will come down hard on Modi if he does not mend his ways.
"If Modiji does not mend his ways then very soon the youth and students will come together to teach him a lesson," Kejriwal said, adding "I had said earlier, 'Modiji students se pange mat lena' (don't mess with students). Otherwise they will rock your government and you won't have a clue."
Slamming the Centre for taking action against students for expressing dissent, he said everybody has the right to raise voice against anything which is wrong.
Rahul alleged that government was trying to suppress not
only the youths but also the Adivasis, Dalits and other weaker sections.
"We don't want an India where an ideology is imposed upon us. We are fighting for it. RSS people want India to have one ideology, but we want an India of multiple voices and multiple ideologies," he said, amid loud cheers.
The Delhi Chief Minister alleged that a number of Central ministers were responsible for driving Dalit research scholar Rohith to suicide.
"Rohith repeatedly said that he belongs to a dalit family and if they suspend his scholarship then everything will be destroyed. He pleaded not to be suspended. He was a bright student. Our society, our system, our ministers compelled a boy to commit suicide whose achievements should have been celebrated.
"But it's a matter of grief that till date the ministers in the dock have not even been questioned once and we talk of equality. What sort of an equality is this wherein the ministers who forced a boy to commit suicide are roaming openly? We demand their immediate arrest and questioning.
"At least question them. Your probe is prejudiced and it seems that you have made up your mind not to act against your ministers," said Kejriwal.
The protesters included students from various universities including Hyderabad university.
"We are demanding justice for Rohith, justice for Kanhaiya Kumar. This protest is also for Dalits, minorities and marginalised sections," said a participant.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury slammed the government for not referring to developments at various universities, in the President's customary address at Parliament.
CPI national secretary D Raja expressed similar views and said the issue will be taken up in Parliament to "foil efforts by ruling party to impose RSS ideology across universities in the country.
"We will fight on streets, inside courts and Parliament. We will ask Modi to ensure justice," Raja added.
Speaking at the rally, SQR Ilyas, father of JNU student Umar Khalid, accused of raising anti-India slogans during an event held at JNU, said the country is being ruled by those who "oppress dissenting voices" and urged students to be prepared for a "new revolution".
"We have become slaves again. We have such people in power who are oppressing dissenting voices. They came to power showing us dreams of developments. But within a year, they have showed their true colours," he said
Terming the protest as "historic" moment, Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj Abhiyan said the issue will be raised on streets if not inside Parliament.
The rally was also addressed by CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat and social activist Medha Patkar.
Parliamentarians Hussain Dalwai, Pappu Yadav, NSUI leader Roji John were among those who took part in the protest.
