Prem Shukla Warns Against Anti-National Forces on Campuses
New Delhi, October 24: The discovery of anti-national slogans on the walls of Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi has led to sharp political reactions. BJP leader Prem Shukla termed the incident a sign of anti-national thinking and assured that strict action would follow against the people involved.
Shukla said that the slogans painted on the university walls pointed to the presence of anarchic and anti-national forces operating within educational institutions. He insisted that activities of this nature must not be tolerated under any circumstances, and that the government would ensure accountability.
He repeated that the government would act strictly in the entire matter and teach a lesson to those found responsible.
The BJP leader also took aim at Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference over his Pakistan-related remarks. Shukla said that the Pakistan inside Abdullah surfaces from time to time, leading him to make irresponsible statements.
He urged Abdullah to first examine the state of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the development achieved in Indian Jammu and Kashmir. Shukla said PoK was in a very poor condition, whereas Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing new growth and investment opportunities. He pointed out that the Government of India had invested lakhs of crores of rupees in the region and that Saudi Arabia was among the countries investing there.
Shukla added that after the amendment to Article 370, the tricolour was proudly flying at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. In his view, the revised constitutional position had strengthened the union of Jammu and Kashmir with India, which is why leaders like Farooq Abdullah were troubled.
Regarding actor Naseeruddin Shah's statement in a video, Shukla said that dissenting voices deserve complete space in a democracy. He stated that every person has the right to express an opinion, but dissent cannot become a route to anarchy or to promoting anti-national activities.
He concluded that freedom of thought is vital in a democratic setup, yet those who seek to shelter anti-national actions behind it must realise that such activities will not be tolerated.