In yet another blatant display of their anti-national inclinations the students and some faculty members of Kashmir University insulted the National Anthem on June 17. That too in a function that was held in the presence of Chief Justice of India Altamash Kabir, High Court judges and many other dignitaries. Ironically, this unlawful act was done by the faculty and students of “Law Department” of the University.
On June 17, the CJI Shri Kabir visited the Law Department of the University to address the students and the faculty. As he entered the Convocation Hall of the University with other dignitaries, the national anthem was played. The dignitaries, High Court Judges and all the judicial staff stood up in respect of the anthem, but many students and some faculty members remained seated. Even the students who stood up were signaled to sit down by the students who were designated as stewards at the function. The University officials were left red-faced and refused to comment on the incidence.
It is not the first time that Kashmir University students insulted the national anthem. Last year also on May 11, in the presence of Governor of Jammu & Kashmir NN Vohra, some faculty members and students remained seated when the national anthem was played at the inaugural function of a 3-day International Seminar. Shri Vohra was very much infuriated by the (mis)conduct of the students and faculty and took up the matter to the Vice Chancellor and asked him to ensure that such an incident is not repeated in future. But just after 5 days, on May 16 some students and faculty chose to remain seated, while the national anthem was being played at a two-day event.
Such an insult of the national anthem shocked many of the delegates who had come from different states to participate in the orientation programme. At that time the VC Prof Tatal Ahmed termed such incidents as “disgraceful” and said, “Teachers have certain inclination towards certain ideologies and it eventually passes on to the students. If teachers behave students will follow.” He asked the students and faculty to “behave and show respect to the national anthem.” But the recent incidence shows his warnings were all in vain. —BR
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