New Delhi, Feb. 24: A section of military veterans today targeted US ambassador Richard Verma for saying that free speech was a "central tenet" to Indian and American democracies.
In an ABVP event at JNU's administrative block today, Maj. Gen. G.D. Bakshi said: "I challenge you, Richard Verma, to let slogans praising Osama bin Laden or Mohammed Atta (who flew an aircraft into New York's World Trade Center in 2001) be raised in your country.... Your country fought a civil war when your country was going to split. It is sad that today you say terrorism is free speech."
Maj. Gen. P.K. Chakravorty added: "If you want to see free speech, go to Guantanamo Bay. Whether (Donald) Trump or Hillary (Clinton) becomes President, Guantanamo Bay will remain."
Several military veterans were hosted by the ABVP to commemorate the martyrs of Pampore at 6pm today. The event at the administrative block continued alongside a protest by the students against the police crackdown.
The JNUSU and JNUTA had cancelled the open-air lecture on nationalism by professor emeritus Mridula Mukherjee at 5pm at the administrative block to avoid confrontation with the ABVP.
Around 50 students and teachers congregated at the administrative block and displayed banners calling for the release of the detained students and the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
"Our JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, who did not even organise the Kashmir event, has been denied bail. We won't leave this space. We will sing songs and continue our stir. We will welcome Gen. Bakshi with flowers if he wants to speak to us," a PhD scholar told JNUSU vice-president Shehla Rashid who begged the students to leave the spot.
Maj. Gen. Bakshi criticised JNU for disrespecting its alumni. The National Defence Academy is affiliated to JNU. "The events of the last few days have been shocking. When anyone from a particular school or a college dies, students and teachers of that institution mourn his loss. Why was there no one to mourn our martyrs here?" he asked.
The NSUI and the ABVP regularly put up posters on campus to condole the death of military and police personnel.
Maj. Gen. Bakshi claimed that India did not win its freedom through non-violence, and violence had to be used to defend the country. "In 1946, when Royal India Navy ratings overthrew their British officers and flags from 78 ships in Mumbai, the British realised they have to leave the country. We did not get our freedom from non-violence."
"Certain symbols of the country are non-negotiable," he added. "The national flag is non-negotiable. You don't want it, then get the hell out. We don't want you," he said, referring to the Centre's plan to install flags in every central varsity. JNU's administrative block flies the national flag from dawn to dusk.
Yesterday, some veterans had demanded a hall of fame for martyrs, and military symbols to be installed on campus. Today, registrar Bupinder Zutshi said: "The ex-servicemen made certain suggestions to the VC yesterday, including setting up of a hall of fame and displaying certain army tanks on campus. We found those suggestions to be good and will consider them to give the students a feeling of pride for the nation and patriotism."
The committee conducting the internal inquiry into the controversial February 9 event has been expanded from three to five teachers. Its term expires on March 3.
