New Delhi: After being released from Tihar jail, JNUSU leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Thursday addressed a gathering at Jawaharlal Lal University, stating he demanded freedom in India, not from India.
Kumar, standing amidst the gathering, said, “We have no grudges against ABVP as we are truly democratic people. They are not our enemies, but we consider them opposition. We truly believe in Indian constitution.”
“Attack on JNU is a planned one as they want to delegitimize UGC protest, and to dilute the fight for justice for Rohith Vemula,” he added.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and lauded his speech.
What a brilliant speech by Kanhaiya...
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 3, 2016
29-year-old Kumar's release in the evening came even as a Delhi Government-appointed magisterial probe did not find any evidence of him raising anti-India slogans at a flashpoint event at JNU campus on February 9.
The report said "nothing adverse" could be found against Kumar and that no witness or video was available to support allegations against the JNU students union president.
Kumar, a PhD student at the prestigious university, was released from the prison at 6:30 PM and accorded a spirited welcome by a group of students and teachers on being handed over to them.
Jubilations at the Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) campus which erupted after Kumar was granted bail yesterday by the Delhi High Court acquired a new momentum with the students, agitating since his arrest, taking out a march shouting slogans like "Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki".
After his release, Kumar maintained that he never raised any anti-India slogans, asserting truth will prevail.
Kumar was arrested on February 12 in connection with the event to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on his third death anniversary during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.
Kumar was granted interim bail for six months by the Delhi High Court yesterday on condition that he will cooperate in the ongoing investigation.
(With Agency inputs)
