Congress MP Imran Masood was detained by Delhi Police on Friday after visiting Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi to express solidarity with students protesting for the restoration of university elections.
The protest has been underway at the central university for several days, with students demanding the reinstatement of the student union electoral process. Masood visited the campus to extend his support to the protesting students.
His detention came amid a row over slogans and posters that appeared on the campus, including those calling for the release of Sharjeel Imam, a JNU PhD scholar who has been jailed over remarks made during the anti-CAA protests and is facing anti-terror charges.
'FREE KASHMIR', 'FREE SHARJEEL IMAM' POSTERS SPARK ROW
The appearance of posters bearing the slogans 'Free Kashmir' and 'Free Sharjeel Imam' has fuelled the controversy surrounding the ongoing student agitation at the university.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, Masood distanced himself from the controversial posters and said he did not support the slogans. He also questioned the action taken against the students and called for their reinstatement.
"Those who want to break this movement should understand that Kashmir is an integral part of India. We would even give our lives to keep Kashmir as an integral part of India," the Congress MP said.
Questioning the university's decision to expel students, Masood asked why they could not be reinstated and why the student union elections had not been restored.
"I can even give my life for my children. These are my children and the future of my country. Attempts are being made to crush their rights. The students have been expelled from the university. Why is the student union not being restored? What exactly is the reason that you do not want to reinstate the student union?" he told the media.
Students at Jamia Millia have been protesting for several days, pressing the university administration to restore student union elections. Masood visited the campus to express solidarity with the students, as the controversy over the posters and slogans added to the tensions surrounding the protests.
- Ends