Kanhaiya Kumar attacked at JNU by suspected outsider

New Delhi, March 10

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar — who faces sedition charges — was slapped by a person believed to have been from outside the university, witnesses said on Thursday. 

Kumar was at a lecture on ‘Nationalism’ when the suspect, a youngster, took him to a corner “to talk”, witnesses said.

"Kanhaiya (Kumar) went to a corner to talk to him. The boy started abusing him and, after an argument, slapped him. Seeing this, many students and university's security guards rushed to his rescue," a student said.

The university's security took the suspect to the nearest police station. The suspect has been detained for questioning, police said.

Kanhaiya Kumar is one of the five students of the university facing sedition charges for “anti-national activities” at an event held on the university campus to protest the execution of Parliament attack convict Azfal Guru on February 9 — Guru’s third death anniversary.

Kumar was released from jail — where he spent 18 days — last week after Delhi High Court granted him bail for six months.

Students and teachers of the university have said they fear for Kumar’s security after he was attacked by a mob of lawyers at Patiala Court on February 17.

Delhi Police have told the university to keep them updated of Kumar’s whereabouts outside the campus.

A man who claimed to be the president of ‘Purvanchal Sena’ announced a reward of Rs 11 lakh last week for anyone who shot Kumar. The man was arrested later. — PTI