Kanhaiya Kumar addresses students at JNU after being released: 'Home coming' speech highlights

Education Vijay, After being arrested on charges of sedition for raising anti-national slogans at the JNU (Jawaharlal National University) campus, Kanhaiya Kumar was released on interim bail today. He was accused of organising an event, along with Umar Khalid and other students, in which protests were held against the execution of Afzal Guru and separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, and for Kashmir's right to self-determination.

After the arrest, he told the court that he has been framed in the case as he had defeated the ABVP candidate in the JNU presidential elections. In his defence, he said that he was neither sloganeering nor saying anything against the integrity of the country and that he had rushed to the spot only to prevent a clash between ABVP workers and the students organising the event.

According to newspaper reports, over 1,000 students marched from Mandi House to Parliament Street, demanding the release of Kanhaiya Kumar yesterday.

Kanhaiya first had to undergo a medical examination before he was released and then secreted out of the jail by a colony route and taken to Hari Nagar Police station. He also had to sign a bond of Rs 10,000 and a guarantee that he will not participate in any "active or passive" anti-national activity. After his return, he addressed a crowd of over 50,000 and expressed his gratitude for supporting and understanding him.

JNUSU Vice-President Shehla Rashid Shora said, ''It's a big victory for us in the struggle which has a long way to go. We have been waiting for Kanhaiya to be back on campus ever since he was sent to jail in a sedition case. It's a huge relief for us and we will continue our struggle for Umar and Anirban who are still in jail."

Meanwhile, a Delhi government report said that there was "no direct link" between Kumar and the alleged anti-India sloganeering at the JNU campus on February 9. The official said that seven videos were sent to Truth Labs, Hyderabad, of which three were found to be doctored. "In those doctored versions, video has been edited and voices added," he said.

Highlights of his speech

• "I have many differences with the PM but I agree with his tweet Satyameva Jayate because these words are in our Constitution," he said, as his passionate speech was punctuated by repeated cheers and raising of slogans
• "We are not seeking 'azaadi' (freedom) from India. We want 'azaadi' within India," he said. Thanking all who stood by him while he was in Tihar jail here, Kumar said he believed in the Constitution and judiciary of India
• "The attack on JNU is a planned one as they want to de-legitimise the UGC protest, and to dilute the fight for justice for Rohith Vemula," he said, amid loud cheers
• We were cheated by saying "Har Har, today you are in trouble with arhar" (regarding prices of pulses)
• "I was given two bowls in the jail one blue and one red, both on one plate. It symbolised India"
• "The charge of sedition was used as a political tool, and I have complete faith in the judicial system of India"
• "While listening to Modiji's speech, I felt like going inside the TV and tugging at his suit, and asking him about Hitler, Mussolini. He does Mann ki Baat, but never listens"
• "You speak against the government and they send doctored videos"