Support pours in for Gurmehar
Tuesday, 28/02/2017
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/support-pours-in-for-gurmehar/370466.html
Chandigarh : From penning rhymes in support of what is being described as a “bold” stand taken by her to a joint appeal by eminent persons asking people to stand by her in this hour of “trial of democracy”, there is a groundswell of support for Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Capt Mandeep Singh, who has dared to confront the ABVP for allegedly attacking students and teachers of Ramjas College in Delhi.
Punjabi poet and former president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi Gurbhajan Gill has written: “Jago mere veero, jago; apani goorhi neend tyago, jag pavo Gurmehar jagave, sutian umar beet na jave; Gurmehar zindabad (My brothers, it is time to wake up; Gurmehar is asking you to come out of slumber, and let the life not pass away while sleeping).”
Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi, academician Dr Chaman Lal and several others have issued an appeal, asking people to join hands to back Gurmehar, who has taken on the right-wing forces posing a threat to the freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of academic institutions, especially universities and colleges.
“Gurmehar is the honour of our country. We are all with her and will go all out to protect her honour and dignity. No one should think that she is alone. She is a woman of substance,” Dr Gandhi said.
CPI executive member Joginder Dayal said someone was to take lead in confronting the ABVP, which, with active support of PM Narendra Modi and his associates, wanted to crush all dissenting forces in the country. Gurmehar has taken the lead and all right-thinking people in the country should support her to stall the taking over of educational institutions by the right wing forces and their associates, he said.
Demanding a ban on the student body and exemplary action against culprits of Ramjas College violence, Capt Amarinder Singh said the ABVP, its mentors and members should be ashamed of their abominable behaviour. He said the girl’s father laid down his life for the country and she was being victimised for her legitimate act.
The culprits should be arrested and put behind bars. This organisation (ABVP) had no respect for women, he said.
“Instead of allowing her (Gurmehar) to be victimised for her stand, the authorities, including the Delhi and the Centre governments, should ensure that the perpetrators of violence and those issuing threats to the martyr’s daughter are given exemplary punishment,” he added.
Goes incommunicado
Gurmehar Kaur stopped all communication on Monday evening. Her last tweet came at 6 pm. It reads, “Please consider this tweet as my request for leave of absence. Can’t speak to anyone, anymore. Will speak up on Tuesday #FightBackDU”.
Please consider this tweet as my request for leave of absence. Can't speak to anyone, anymore. Will speak up on Tuesday #FightBackDU — Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 27, 2017
‘Stand by her’
Gurmehar is the honour of our country. We are all with her and will go all out to protect her honour and dignity. No one should think that she is alone. She is a woman of substance. — Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, AAP MP
The ABVP, its mentors and members should be ashamed of their abominable behaviour. The girl’s father laid down his life for the country and she is being victimised for her legitimate act. —Capt Amarinder Singh, Congress leader
