Attack on Umar Khalid in Delhi result of violent promotion of Hindutva ideology: AIFRTE

By Our Representative
Condemning the attack on former JNU student leader Umar Khalid outside the Constitution Club, New Delhi, where he had gone to address a meeting on August 13, the All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) said, he was physically manhandled by an armed assailant, who grappled with him and was fortunately overpowered by two of Umar’s friends before he escaped, firing and throwing away his gun.
AIFRTE said, "The present regime at the Centre, which is constantly proclaiming itself to be the sole guardian of national security, has to be held accountable for this blatant incompetence endangering the life of a student leader who had requested state security as he had received numerous threats to his life." It wondered why was no security provided to him.

AIFRTE said, the reason for the attack on students and public intellectuals, in particular -- who are "critical of the anti-constitutional and anti-democratic Hindutva ideology and the organizations that violently promote it" -- is that they are "publicly proclaimed as `extremists’, `naxals’, and `anti-nationals’ by the Sangh Parivar affiliates as government ministers.
AIFRTE has demanded the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the BJP national president should issue issue stern warning to miscreants and ensure that all those, including leaders, who create a climate of hate through their statements, speeches and support for assailants, will be severely dealt with. It should security cover to Umar Khalid steps against police officials responsible for security in the area.

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