'Politicians backing JNU stir should be stripped off elected status'

Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' said all politicians who support the students' agitation at JNU should be stripped off their elected status.

Mumbai: Taking an aggressive stand on the turmoil at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Shiv Sena today said all politicians who support the students' agitation should be stripped off their 'elected status' and those raising slogans against India should be put behind bars.

Citing the example of cricketer Virat Kohli's Pakistani fan being declared an "anti-national" by the neighboring country for waving an Indian flag, the Shiv Sena said all those sloganeering against India should be declared "anti-nationals".

"All those who are sloganeering against India should be immediately put behind bars. The JNU campus has now become a hub of not only anti-nationals, but of Pakistani and Chinese agents, who are indulging in anti-national activities the on government's money," an editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.

"If elected representatives come forward in support of anti-nationals, there should be a provision in the law that such representatives should be stripped off their elected status. More than Pakistani terrorists, democracy and freedom is strangulating the country," the ruling ally said.

The Shiv Sena further said that there should be a "combing operation" on institutions where prayers are being held for terrorists like Yakub Memon and Afzal Guru.

"If a Pakistani fan of Virat Kohli can be declared an anti-national by that country for waiving an Indian flag, why are people who shout anti-India slogans treated with kid gloves. The government has to take firm steps," it said.

Hitting out at the Congress, the Shiv Sena said, "There is ruckus created in the Parliament if somebody celebrates the birth or the death anniversary of (Nathuram) Godse. Why Congress does not create a ruckus now when a day of remembrance is being observed for Afzal Guru."