Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar in police custody over Kerala House scuffle? Here’s what we know | Today’s news
Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who heads the All India Congress Committee of the National Students Union of India, was arrested by the Delhi Police on Friday from the premises of Kerala House.
Kumar was arrested after the Resident Commissioner of Kerala, Puneet Kumar, lodged a complaint against him, The Hindu reported.
Why was Kanhaiya Kumar arrested? Here’s what we know
According to the report, Kumar came to Kerala House in a room which was apparently booked in his friend’s name. However, the authorities informed him that no room was available, whereupon he approached the Resident Commissioner for an explanation. A source told The Hindu, “There was an argument between the two and the Resident Commissioner called the Delhi Police and asked them to take Mr. Kumar out of the premises.”
During his detention, Kumar mocked the Resident Commissioner’s comments and told reporters that he was informed that Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar would arrive at Kerala House later in the day. He remarked, “The governor was coming, and the governor is king.”
The Congress leader further said that he had come to meet a friend at Kerala House and while criticizing his arrest, added, “This is the behavior of (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah and the Delhi Police.”
According to a statement from Kumar’s office, he was taken to the Jaffarpur Kalan police station in southwest Delhi, where he is currently being held. Further, his office said: “We are yet to get further details. We are sending him legal assistance.”
Kerala House connection with protests
Kerala House is located on Jantar Mantar Road where students and youth are protesting against the Union Government. During a protest by wrestlers demanding the removal of former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the then Kerala government allowed athletes to use Kerala House for refreshments, a move that drew criticism from those who support the centre. Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, a former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), has been among the prominent voices highlighting issues affecting students, including exam paper leaks and unemployment.
Modi Govt Put Indian Education System In ICU: Kumar
Earlier this month, Kumar accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of putting the country’s education system in “ICU” and continued to press for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with an investigation into his alleged links with the paper leak mafia and a comprehensive reform of the system.
He noted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is meeting students across the country and listening to their concerns so that the education system can be overhauled. Kumar added, “With the same objective, Rahul Gandhi Ji had a presentation among students and their parents in Kota. Now we are taking this campaign forward in different parts of the country. We are collecting suggestions from students, teachers and parents.”
Opposition parties have now come out in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been protesting against the Jantar Mantar since June, demanding accountability for the alleged irregularities and leak of the NEET-UG paper.
