From Kanhaiya 'Azadi' Kumar In Patna, Support For Bihar's Prohibition

Patna: Hours before JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday, the 28-year-old came out in support of prohibition in the state.

Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested and shot to national prominence with the war cry 'Azadi' or 'freedom' during the row at JNU earlier this year, was speaking after arriving in Bihar on a two-day visit.

On the first visit to his home state since the controversy broke out, he also met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the evening. "He fought for social justice in Bihar, so I have come to meet him," Mr Kumar said after his meeting with Mr Yadav said.

"Ideally everyone should have the choice whether they want to drink or not. But the social context is different in Bihar. So here, it is the right thing perhaps," he said. "But In the context of democratic ethos, it is not right," he added.

A key poll promise of Nitish Kumar who won a third consecutive term as Chief Minister last year, prohibition was introduced in Bihar six months ahead of schedule on April 5.

Brushing aside the charge that his recent travels to various parts of the country by air was a sign of extravagance that betrayed his humble background, Mr Kumar said that there was nothing wrong in travelling by air.

The tickets had been paid for by a students' body which had organised his visit, he said. "Mostly the organisers are students. When you fight for their cause they support you. So what's wrong in travelling by air?" he asked.

After arriving in the state capital at 8 am, Mr Kumar garlanded busts of Mahatama Gandhi and Jay Prakash Narayan. "For me coming back to my home state is a happy occasion. Let's talk about politics later. Politics is not only about becoming an MP or MLA," he said.

Mr Kumar, who was arrested on the charge of sedition in February in connection with an event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised, was released on bail in March.

His parents are expected to travel to Patna from Begusarai to meet him.