In light of the recent attacks on protesting Delhi University students and teachers at Ramjas College by members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidya Parishad, a Lady Sri Ram College student, who also happens to be a Kargil martyr’s daughter, has initiated a social media campaign that’s going viral. It’s called “I am not scared of ABVP” campaign and it involves students across the country holding posters announcing the same.
Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, changed her Facebook profile picture holding a placard which read thus:
“I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP”.
“The brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP is very disturbing and should be stopped. It was not an attack on protesters, but an attack on every notion of democracy that is held dear in every Indian’s heart. It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation,” Gurmehar wrote on Facebook.
The post went viral and within hours, #StudentsAgainstABVP was trending on social media.
The campaign soon caught on, with students from across the country joining in on the online protest:
Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of AISA and ABVP workers. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on ‘Culture of Protests’ which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the RSS student wing.
Supporters of ABVP did not back down either, however, with many spewing venom against the girl on social media:
Kid, I am with you in opposing ABVP gundagardi. Are you with me against those who shouted anti-India slogans…? pic.twitter.com/jr5kaTcojG
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) February 25, 2017
@iAnkurSingh I m brother of a martyred shaurya chakra awardee & I support abvp but my opinion will not matter bcoz 1/2.
— Dr singh (@SinghAstitva) February 25, 2017
JNU naxals shouted anti-national slogans but media is focusing on ABVP.
It’s like forgetting the rapist & targeting the mob who beat him.— चार लोग (@WoCharLog) February 25, 2017
4get ABVP, BJP, congress, or AAP.
Who ever chants venom abt country must be thrown out of country Freedom to speech is not abusing country— Shahnazaz Mohd (@crazyshahnawaz) February 25, 2017
Gurmehar Kaur is the new Kanhaiya Kumar. Toast of the incestuous leftist ecosystem and will be soon proclaimed as PM candidate against Modi
— The Masakadzas (@Nesenag) February 25, 2017
Gurmehar Kaur. FYI, daughter of Kargil martyr. Anti national too? #Ramjas pic.twitter.com/jwys7JYB6R
— Devlina Ganguly (@DevlinaGanguly) February 25, 2017
But the DU student, who had earlier been in the news for her emotive, silent video on the issue of India-Pakistan violence, which went viral on YouTube in 2016, has continued her tirade against campus violence, despite the criticism.
When people called her anti-national, this was her reaction:
Absolutely disgusted at the reactions in receiving from so called “nationalists”.. (1/1)
— gurmehar kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017
Nationalism isn’t defined by whoever is in power. Nationalism is a feeling that comes from within. It’s love for the nation… (1/2)
— gurmehar kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017
It’s love for its people and it’s people include young students (2/2)
— gurmehar kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017
Do I support people shouting anti- national slogans? No. Do I support pelting stones at innocent students because of that? NO
— gurmehar kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017
Gurmehar also wrote in one of her tweets that he father would have been proud of her had he seen that his 20-year-old daughter was helping students fight for freedom.
(With inputs from PTI)
Feature Image Source: Facebook/GurmeharKaur
