Kamal condemns threats to Gurmehar, but defends ABVP
JALANDHAR Punjab’s former BJP chief Kamal Sharma on Friday condemned threats to Delhi University students Gurmehar Kaur but defended right-wing student outfit Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on nationalism.
In a video posted on the social media on Friday evening, Sharma flayed obnoxious words against Gurmehar and said the nation respects her and her family and such remarks did not speak well of a democratic nation.
Sharma, who remained an active member of the ABVP during his student day for over 10 years, said be it Gurmehar or any other citizen of the country, all have freedom of expression and speech.
“The ABVP is a student orga- nisation that stood for the national interest when Punjab was on the boil during terrorism days. It also remained at the forefront in helping people during Kashmir unrest,” said Sharma.
He squarely blamed the Leftists for vitiating the atmosphere at Delhi’s Ramjas college and said free speech at the cost of nationalism can never be allowed. “Leave aside the ABVP, no Indian would like to hear anti-national slogans. We can’t stop people from condemning the ABVP as they have their own likes and dislikes and are free to have their opinion,” he said.
In his message to Gurmehar, he says: “You said you are not afraid of the ABVP and every student of India is with you, but I must say that I am proud that I was part of the ABVP for 20 years.”
Sharma also made an appeal to Gurmehar to keep on raising her voice and lead a campaign that unites the country. “You are a martyr’s daughter and we are proud of it. Our country is facing many challenges and some forces are working to divide us. I will be happy if you lead campaigns against divisive forces,” Sharma said.