"20 Years of Liberalization" : Speech by Dr.Shashi Tharoor at JNU

Dr. Shashi Tharoor addressing the gathering and public debate in JNU on 31st August 2011

Down with the shameful attempts of ‘JNU forum against war on people’ to violate ‘the national emblem act’ !!!

Right to free expression and speech should be followed by responsibility and transparency !!!

Dear friends,

JNU has always been known for its progressive student politics. Student organizations in this campus have always been at the forefront to struggle and fight for issues which effect our nation and its people. This progressive and sensitive culture has always been possible because of the freedom, which all organizations enjoy here. Everybody in this campus enjoys the freedom and democratic right to express their views and concerns on whatever issue they like. This is precisely why JNU politics is hailed across the country.

However, unfortunately there have been few organizations in the campus that have indulged in unlawful activities in the guise of the freedom enjoyed without showing any amount of responsibility or transparency. Recently the student community has witnessed such acts for instance the shameful celebrations that took place at Godavari dhaba after the Dantewada Massacre by naxals. These celebrations were shamefully organized without the permission of the administration and it largely saddened the student community in the campus. NSUI rose in protest against such naked display of anti-national spectacle on the behest of freedom of expression. ‘The JNU Forum Against War on People’ (JNUFAW) has completely washed its hands from this issue and came up with an irresponsible response about this issue. The so-called ultra left organizations including AISA, DSU, PSU have always treated our national symbols with utmost disdain and have missed no point to denigrate it. For years JNUSU, under SFI and AISA, have not celebrated Independence Day and deliberately avoided the ceremony of flag hoisting. With this kind of anti-national prejudice internalized by these organizations, JNUFAW actions do not come as a surprise. The red imperialists/ the juvenile comrades has time and again shown that their true allegiance is not towards India but rather towards non-democratic countries ruled by totalitarian tyrants like China, Cuba, Venezuela, etc.

NSUI strongly condemns JNUFAW for bringing slips depicting our national emblem in a bad manner and warns them to use freedom of expression with responsibility. We are also apprehensive about the anonymous leaflets/pamphlets circulating in the campus and request administration to take staunch action against students indulged in it. NSUI demands strong action against the office bearers of JNUFAW if they are proven guilty after the Proctorial Enquiry for violating the National Emblem Act.

Nevertheless, we have always stood for the freedom of expression of all the student organizations of this campus. However, we assert that owning such freedom of speech and expression shall be followed by responsibility and transparency. Democracy needs dissent and criticism to correct and rectify itself. This dissent and criticism should be productive and constructive in the development of our nation.

Manish Arya, Vice President, NSUI JNU

Iqbal Singh Sandhu, General Secretary, NSUI JNU

JAI HIND!!!