OU students protest against JP's statement, LSP clarifies

The Lok Satta Party on Friday rushed to defend its president Jayaprakash Narayan after protests broke out in Osmania University campus against his statement on the Floor of the State Assembly.

A section of the media had reported that the Lok Satta president, a former IAS officer had called to the government to send a strong message to all those indulging in wilful acts of violence by acting stringently against them so that the message that such acts would not be tolerated is clear.

Some of the students had taken umbrage at the statement and had resorted to burning the LSP chief’s effigy at the Osmania University Campus.

Meanwhile, the Lok Satta Party hastened to clarify that Dr Narayan had appealed for withdrawal of cases against innocent students and youth on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.

In a clarification issued by the LSP, Dr Narayan stated that “the central issue is not about a particular party or a few individuals; or about a particular region or a particular group or community or religion.  It is all about upholding the Rule-of-Law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, protecting the human rights of all individuals and protecting the future of young, innocent youth and students involved in the recent events.

The Lok Satta clarification said that the party chief had actually argued that all cases against misled and innocent youth and students must be withdrawn, where there is no premeditated violence, arson, destruction of property and extortion in the name of agitations.  This has to be done so as to protect the future of these young Indians. It is evident that only a few, hard-core anti-social elements have created trouble.

The party further said that the LSP chief had also pointed out that this withdrawal of cases against the students has to be done by following due process  - in a just, fair, firm and reasonable manner; and not in an arbitrary manner, serving the interests of a few individuals. 

Other cases involving premeditated violence, arson, destruction of property  have to be handled through due process (including compounding), involving the courts.

To reiterate, the State government has to lift the cases against the innocent youth who did not resort to premeditated violence, arson and destruction during the course of the recent agitations. The rest of the cases have to be handled through due process upholding the Rule of Law – in a fair, firm and just manner.