Dramatic Stand-Off At JNU As Students Accused Of Sedition Surface

New Delhi: A late-night standoff unfolded at Delhi's prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University on Monday as five students, accused of sedition and missing for days, surfaced on the campus. Police who hope to arrest the students were denied entry and said they were unwilling to force their way in.

The students say they want to court arrest peacefully even though earlier, joined by their faculty and fellow students, they launched a sit-in protest. Sources had indicated they intend to hold a night-long vigil.

Among the students who are back is Umar Khalid - described as the chief organiser of a controversial event on February 9 in support of executed Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, during which anti-India slogans were raised. Addressing the protesting students, Mr Khalid said the charges against him are ridiculous and he has no links to any terrorist organisation.

"Comments against my sister on social media have angered me. I am disturbed by the way I have been attacked," he said.
 
Altogether 16 students are wanted in the case - six of them are the main accused. JNU students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested; five others - who surfaced at the campus last night - had earlier gone missing.

Earlier, Umar Khalid's family had said that he would surrender if there is a "conducive atmosphere".

The arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, 28, earlier this month and the violence unleashed by a group of lawyers at two court hearings in Delhi last week, has triggered a vociferous debate. Protest marches have been held across campuses in various cities in his support.

Those opposed to what they describe the "anti-national activities at JNU" have also held marches - one of them, attended by thousands, took place in Delhi on Sunday.

The Opposition alleges the government is using the archaic sedition law to crush dissent and restrict free speech. The government says those making anti-national comments will not be spared.