JNU Student Union president, Kanhaiya Kumar's bail plea will be heard today by the Delhi High Court after the Supreme Court dismissed the petition on 19 February after which he was remanded to Tihar Jail.

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Kanhaiya's bail plea to be heard on 24 February by the Delhi HC. Delhi Police oppose bail; HC asks for a status report.

Delhi Police submits report against Kanhaiya Kumar to High Court. The report claims that Kanhaiya was seen in the footage shouting anti-national slogans; a law and order situation was created on JNU campus. High Court has also agreed to hear Delhi Police's plea seeking permission to enter Jawaharlal Nehru University.

A number of students from across Mumbai universities and colleges have started a petition seeking the immediate release of Kanhaiya Kumar.

The march is being led primarily by students from Hyderabad Central University, but students from all over the country have joined in. The march has become more significant in the wake of Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest and the JNU row.

Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and a few other leaders from Aam Aadmi Party present. The Rohith Vemula issue has assumed bigger proportions, it would appear.

Arvind Kejriwal said, "If someone try to go against the nation, he won't be spared. Similarly if innocents will be harassed like centre is doing it won't be tolerated. Modiji ab bhi samay hai sudhar jaiye, warna janta AAP ko ukhaad phekegi." (People will throw you out Modiji if you don't mend your ways of dealing).

Knowing it full well that the attack would come against the government from all quarters, the BJP fielded HRD minister Smriti Irani who showed uncharacteristic aggression in defending herself. She, along with minister of labour Bandaru Dattatreya, has been accused of goading the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) administration to take action against Vemula. In the ensuing din, the House was adjourned second time. The crux of the issue was that parties are engaged in a fierce competitive politics to claim their pro-dalit credentials.

And Rohith Vemula’s suicide is learnt to have evoked strong emotion among Dalits of UP and turned them against the BJP. This is the precise reason why the BSP disrupted the functioning to pre-empt any attempt to appropriate sympathies of Dalits. Taken aback by the BSP’s tactical brilliance, the Congress and other parties also joined in and vociferously supported Mayawati’s demand to reveal the facts of the inquiry constituted to probe Rohith’s suicide and circumstances.

As the Raja Sabha met after 10 minute of adjournment, the scene was characterised by deja vu. Not without reason, BSP chief Mayawati raised the issue of Rohith Vemula’s suicide vehemently in the question to take the wind out of the parties’ sails. In view of the UP election, Mayawati cannot afford to let the ruling party and principal opposition, the Congress, monopolise the debate on Dalits. She was quite conscious of nearly 25 percent of the Dalit votes that form her strong support base in the country’s largest state.

Kumar is being deprived of his liberties primarily because of the incompetence of the Delhi Police conducting a thorough investigation.

Kanhaiya Kumar's position as JNUSU president could mean that he could potentially influence witnesses who were present at that demonstration. The remaining accused are 'absconding' (technically not arrested). Kanhaiya Kumar's release means they could all go underground or off the radar. Police is opposing bail at this point. If witness statements had been recorded initially instead of relying on a video clip which is still pending verification, the police would have had their case in order.

Initially, Bassi did not oppose bail because he had video clips and that meant he did not need witnesses. Now, the video clips are turning out to be doctored, which means Bassi needs witness testimonies to make his case, a Bombay High Court lawyer told Firstpost.

India seems to be in the grip of an epidemic of feeling of victimisation. A few days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about a conspiracy to tarnish his image. A few hours ago, Rahul Gandhi told media that there may be a conspiracy to not allow him to speak in Parliament. And now lawyer Chauhan claims people are out to get him. If only he had taken the precaution, not the one prescribed by Gyan Dev Ahuja, before opening his mouth in front of a hidden camera.

"But are we going to give respectability to those whose primary ideology is that they're going to break this country?" he said.

"Some amount of radical romancing can also take place in institutions," he said.

"Youngsters do many things and when they grow up, they realise they shouldn't have done many of those things," said the Finance Minister.

"If some student belonging to a weaker section of society suffers mental distress, that issue has to be discussed," said Jaitley. "The core issue does not relate to the amount of academic license that exists," he said.

'Are we going to give respectability to those whose primary ideology is that they're going to break this country?'

"The question is: Does the Indian constitutional order allow this? To say that this kind of act must be ignored by the state is wrong. It is an issue over the geography and territory of India which is under attack today," he said.

"Vandalism is condemnable. But here's what the leftist philosophy is in this case: 'Let us concentrate on vandalism, which is condemnable. But at the same time, sedition must become a part of free speech.' Can hate speech become free speech?" he said.

"Of course, what happened in Patiala House is condemnable. But vandalism is condemnable. And sedition is free speech?" said Jaitley.

"I publicly pay homage to him. What I never publicly disclose that I also spoke to his mother," said Irani. "There are many who can be accused of identifying him as a vote bank," she said.

"I have been told not to get agitated," said Smriti Irani as she began her speech by quoting lines from Macbeth.

Many can be accused of identifying Rohith as a vote bank: Smriti Irani

"What is happening here? It is highly objectionable!" thundered Anand Sharma. "Tomorrow, if any of the ministers bring in any derogatory reference, what are we reducing this House to?"

As soon as Irani finished reading this out, a huge uproar erupted in the Parliament.

She also said that document described Durga as a "sex worker called Durga who enticed Mahishasur into marriage. Every year, thousand of Durga puja pandals are erected showing her in a bad light, in a sexual position."

"The document said that Durga Puja is a controversial, racist festival where a fair-skinned goddess is depicted killing a dark demon," Irani said.

"What is Mahishasura martyrdom day?" Irani said. She then again quoted the document.

Irani then said that some minority students who were protesting against this festival were beaten up by Left-leaning JNU students.

"And it (the JNU document) also speaks about a public meeting that they have the right to hold a festival called Mahishasura martyrdom day," she said.

Irani then quoted a JNU document which, according to Irani's speech, said that "the execution of Afzal Guru was a nervous attempt by Congress."

"There is an accusation that Mehmood ki topi Ahmed par hai. Pata nahi kiski topi kiske sar pe hai...main bina topi ke hoon," she said.

"We cannot tolerate such activities in our universities. We cannot allow the students to be influenced by fringe elements," said Venkaiah Naidu in Lok Sabha.

"We are only requesting you not to express solidarity with divisive forces," said Naidu.

"The Prime Minister is very clear. The country has to go forward. We are undeterred by these attempts," Naidu said, as he targeted the Opposition over its criticism of the government.

"Instead of running for photo opportunities, the political leadership should ponder over why incidents like the Rohith Vemula suicide happened. The entire country should think seriously. This is not the first case," Venkaiah Naidu said.

"I publicly pay homage to him. What I never publicly disclose that I also spoke to his mother," said Irani. "There are many who can be accused of identifying him as a vote bank," she said.

"I have been told not to get agitated," said Smriti Irani as she began her speech by quoting lines from Macbeth.

Many can be accused of identifying Rohith as a vote bank: Smriti Irani

Sitharam Yechury lashed out in the House and asked Smriti Irani to focus on the point at hand.

"Do we say to them that if you are a Dalit child belonging to an ideology not favourable to us, you can die for all we care?" she said.

"What are we as a united House telling this generation of ours?" Irani said.

Opposition members began shouting as Smriti Irani tried responding to the allegations made against her.

"I am grateful for the anomalies which Azad sahab corrected in his speech today," Irani said.

"There are many who have said that history is being distorted and all Sanghis are being put in ICHR," said Smriti Irani. She then pointed out that there was a member of ICHR who was not, in fact, a Sanghi. "If there was an intention to saffronise education, why would I pick a scholar who is not aligned to my organisation?" she said.

"What is happening here? It is highly objectionable!" thundered Anand Sharma. "Tomorrow, if any of the ministers bring in any derogatory reference, what are we reducing this House to?"

As soon as Irani finished reading this out, a huge uproar erupted in the Parliament.

She also said that document described Durga as a "sex worker called Durga who enticed Mahishasur into marriage. Every year, thousand of Durga puja pandals are erected showing her in a bad light, in a sexual position."

"The document said that Durga Puja is a controversial, racist festival where a fair-skinned goddess is depicted killing a dark demon," Irani said.

"What is Mahishasura martyrdom day?" Irani said. She then again quoted the document.

Irani then said that some minority students who were protesting against this festival were beaten up by Left-leaning JNU students.

"And it (the JNU document) also speaks about a public meeting that they have the right to hold a festival called Mahishasura martyrdom day," she said.

Irani then quoted a JNU document which, according to Irani's speech, said that "the execution of Afzal Guru was a nervous attempt by Congress."

"There is an accusation that Mehmood ki topi Ahmed par hai. Pata nahi kiski topi kiske sar pe hai...main bina topi ke hoon," she said.

As the Mahishasura martyrdom day issue rocked the House, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day.

JNU Student Union president, Kanhaiya Kumar's bail plea will be heard on Wednesday by the Delhi High Court after the Supreme Court dismissed the petition on 19 February after which he was remanded to Tihar Jail. One of the key focus of the plea is likely to be around the allegedly doctored video clip used by the Delhi police to arrest him on the charges of sedition.

Zee News' Vishwa Deepak had resigned last week citing that the channel had intentionally misinterpreted the video clip to brand some students as anti-national.

Kanhaiya's lawyer had directly moved the the Supreme Court for bail, but the apex court asked his advocate to move the high court for bail, noting that bypassing the high court would set a wrong precedent.

The student leader had directly moved his bail plea before the Supreme Court invoking its jurisdiction under article 32, under which a citizen can move the apex court for enforcing his fundamental rights.

Besides bail, Kanhaiya Kumar had sought direction for his safety and security from the apex court.

Invoking Article 21 guaranteeing right to life and personal liberty and pointing to the atmosphere of violence that prevailed in Patiala House Court complex on 15 and 17 February, he, in his petition in apex court, had said that the manner in which his physical harassment was allowed to take place was a clear pointer to the violation of his right to access justice delivery system.

Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case on February 12 after an event held on the university campus against hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Security will be beefed up in the high court to avoid any untoward incident, in view of the violence seen in the Patiala House courts when Kanhaiya Kumar was produced for hearing.

Apart from Kanhaiya, two other JNU students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, facing the charge of sedition, surrendered before the police late on Tuesday, hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant them protection from arrest.

The duo, who returned to the JNU campus last Sunday after having gone missing since 12 February, drove from the administrative bloc to the main gate of the university, got into a Delhi Police vehicle and were taken to an undisclosed destination.

Police sources said Khalid and Bhattacharya surrendered at around midnight.

The two have been placed under police custody at South Campus police station. They will be produced before a magistrate on Wenesday morning, the sources said.

Besides Kumar, Khalid and Bhattacharya, the other students are Rama Naga, Ashutosh Kumar and Anant Prakash.

Delhi Police had issued a look-out notice on 20 February against Khalid, Bhattacharya, Naga, Ashutosh and Prakash.

Earlier, Khalid and Bhattacharya left the JNU campus at around 11.50 pm on Tuesday night for the surrender.

The university students formed a human chain to prevent the media from following Khalid and Bhattacharya when they were leaving the campus on Tuesday evening.

The National Capital Region is also being shaken up by 10,000 students who will be protesting at Jantar Mantar and India Gate on 23-24 February in solidarity with the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University and dalit scholar Rohith Vemula who committed suicide in University of Hyderabad. The JNU row and Rohith Vemula's suicide have both sparked great debate in the country about the freedom of speech, the right to dissent, police brutality and overreach.

According to The Indian Express, the slogan of the protests is "humein chahiye azaadi, hum chheen ke lenge" (We want freedom and we will snatch it). The protest is being organised by Joint Action Committe (JAC) for Social Justice and Hyderabad Central University (HCU). The report also points out that students from TISS, TIFR, Mumbai University will join the protests.

According to Mid-Day, a number of students from across Mumbai universities and colleges have started a petition seeking the immediate release of Kanhaiya Kumar.

Others accused of sedition and branded as "absconding" by the Delhi police, Umar Khalid and others will also be moving the High Court seeking security to surrender.

With inputs from agencies