In yet another episode which has enraged the entire country, Leftist malcontents at JNU have vandalized the statue of Swami Vivekananda which was yet to be unveiled. Derogatory and obscene graffiti were found written with paint near the statue on 14th November. Vandalism of Swami Vivekananda’s statue has raised doubts whether the recent protests at JNU were over fee hike or opposing a ideology.
Protests at JNU started few days ago over fee hike for hostel and mess charges. In traditional JNU style, lecturers, Vice Chancellor and even the HRD minister were held hostage by the unruly students within the university campus for long periods. Lewd and disparaging slogans were written on the walls of JNU which had gone viral on social media. The indecent way of protests and the language used had already angered the entire country with calls of #ShutDownJNU #JNUShamed trending on Twitter.
However, the anger against Leftist behavior on the campus reached crescendo when obscene and politically motivated graffiti was written around the statue to Swami Vivekananda. The images were floated on social media on Thursday, 14th November. The language used in the graffiti made it clear that it was a statement against Sangh and BJP. The fact the they chose to deface Swami Vivekananda’s statue to make a political statement in the garb of protest against fee hike, has angered people across the nation.
Leaders across parties and prominent voices in media and social media have denounced the behavior of JNU students who indulged in such shameful acts. #JNUWallOfShame #JNUVandalism trended on Twitter for an entire day where people protested against the defacement of Swami Vivekananda’s statue.
ABVP cleans premises
As the vandalism of Swami Vivekananda’s statue angered everyone in the country, students of ABVP got together and cleaned the premised by evening the same day. Earthen lamps were lit around the statue in the evening. ABVP members protested against defacement of the statue of one of the greatest sons of India.
Posters with famous sayings of Swami Vivekananda were put around the statue where the lamps were lit. The act of ABVP to clean up the premises and light earthen lamps has been praised by all.
As the protests in JNU were halted after the administration agreed for a partial rollback in fee hike, calls to rein in unruly, anti-national students in JNU have been made by many leaders and prominent citizens. They have asked the central government to take steps to identify and punish those students in JNU who indulge in anti-national activities, rowdy behavior and lawlessness in the name of protests.
