RSS backs govt action against JNU students; says eulogizing Afzal Guru amounts to 'anti-national' activity

New Delhi: The Rashtriya Sawamyamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday supported the government action in JNU and branded the students who allegedly raised 'anti-India' slogans as anti-nationals.

RSS' joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale sought to connect the student protests in Hyderabad and JNU with Yakub Memon and Afzul Guru respectively.

"What is happening in Hyderabad university and then in JNU? When the entire country was praying for the Siachen solider some students in JNU were raising slogans against India," The Hindu quoted Hosabale as saying.

Referring to the JNU incident, the top RSS leader said, "They were supporting and eulogising a person (Afzal Guru) who was executed by the verdict of the top most court of the country. Several soldiers were killed in the attack (Parliament attack in which Guru was convicted)".

Asked if the government decision to charge the JNUSU president with sedition was justified, Hosabale told The Hindu, "All universities must be purged of all kinds of anti-national elements".

He said that "anti-national" activities inside university campuses should not be tolerated.

Referring to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's comments on the JNU row, Hosabale said: "How can a leader of the party which imposed Emergency talk about attack on freedom of speech."