Army martyr’s daughter brings row at Delhi University to boil
As tweet by daughter of officer killed in 1999 sets social media ablaze, politicians jump in with opposing narratives of subversion and freedom of expression
NEW DELHI: The daughter of an army martyr polarised political and public opinion on patriotism and free speech on Monday, after getting rape threats for posting her protest against the rightwing ABVP over the Capital’s latest campus unrest.
The controversy began after 20-year-old Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student, posted a picture of herself on Twitter and Facebook. She was seen holding a placard that broadcast her views on last week’s violent clashes in DU where ABVP members allegedly assaulted students, teachers and journalists during a protest march.
“I am student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me,” the message read. The post went viral on Sunday. She was trolled, called an anti-national, and allegedly threatened with rape for her campaign against the ABVP, which owes allegiance to the RSS, the BJP’S ideological mentor.
Politicians jumped into the debate soon enough, with junior home minister Kiren Rijiju asking in a tweet: “Who’s polluting this young girl’s mind? A strong Arm Force prevents a war. India never attacked anyone but a weak India was always invaded.”
Rijiju, the BJP parliamentarian from Arunachal Pradesh, was referring to an old picture of the Lady Shri Ram College literature student that resurfaced on social media. The placard in this photo reads: “Pakistan did not kill my dad, war did.”
Kaur’s father Captain Mandeep Singh was killed in Kashmir soon after Kargil war in 1999. Her social media campaign reignited the debate over intolerance
as celebrities such as former cricketer Virender Sehwag and Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda criticised her remarks. The actor even called her a political pawn. Kaur retorted: “Really sweet of you to encourage the hate I’ve been receiving. Makes me feel happy that I adored your work :) Pawn? I can think. I don’t support violence perpetuated on students? Is that so wrong (sic).”