Gurmehar joins drive on freedom of expression

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 6

Delhi University student and martyr’s daughter Gurmehar Kaur today said the country was facing tough times in view of curbs on freedom of speech and expression with regard to both press and students.

She was in the city to announce her alignment with Future Talent Society – a students’ group which will hold a national conclave on “Responsible Freedom of Expression”.

Asked whether she thought that the country faced an “undeclared emergency”, she said, “I agree to the statement to some extent because if a student’s questioning of violence against a 17-year-old can be blown up into such a huge issue, then we are living in a tough time.”

Trolled for her video questioning the ABVP, Gurmehar has ever since been celebrated as a champion for the freedom of speech.

Terming it a national students’ movement, society president Gautam Seth said, “The aim of the conclave is to make the forces, working to rob us of our freedom, aware that we are free and our freedom can’t be snatched by anyone. Over 5,000 students and youths from across the country will participate.”

Gurmehar said, “What angered me initially was seeing friends with broken wrists and lathi marks. There was a whole bunch of them who returned from the campaign which I had missed due to classes. You can’t impose violence on young girls just because you believe they did something wrong. You can’t do that.”