Ex-ally Sanjay Raut explains after Fadnavis Slams ‘ Free Kashmir’s poster at the Mumbai Rally for JNU Students
A day after the former chief minister of Maharashtra and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis slammed a protest in Mumbai in solidarity with JNU students and teachers where a poster ‘ Free Kashmir ‘ was spotted, his former ally Shiv Sena had a different approach to the issue. Speaking to the media, Sena’s Sanjay Raut said the poster said the Valley wanted freedom from internet bans and other restrictions placed on the state prior to the government’s decision to repeal Article 370. J&K faced an unprecedented lockdown when the government of Narendra Modi decided to end the state’s special status and divide it into two territories of the Union — J&K and Ladakh. Yet Raut was quick to add that if the poster indicated that Kashmir was seeking liberty from India, “it won’t be tolerated.”
When asked about Sunday’s violence in JNU, where a masked, armed mob attacked students and teachers left 34 injured, Raut said: “If there’s an ideology struggle, why do you hide your face? Tell us what your philosophy is. “Fadnavis tweeted on Monday:” Protest is for what exactly? Why are’ Free Kashmir ‘ slogans? How can we tolerate such separatist elements in Mumbai? Azadi gang’s’ Free Kashmir ‘ slogans 2 km from CMO? Uddhav Ji, would you tolerate this Free Kashmir Anti-India campaign right under your nose? Hundreds thronged in solidarity with the targeted students and teachers at Mumbai’s India Gateway. The demonstrators were evicted on Tuesday, however, and moved to Azad Maidan to avoid a situation of law and order. Home Minister Maharashtra Anil Deshmukh said the students were working together and the situation was calm. He added that there was only one poster from Kashmir and they looked into the issue.
