SFI distances itself from pro-Afzal slogans during Jadavpur University rally

Kolkata: The SFI state unit on Wednesday distanced itself from the pro-Afzal Guru slogans that were raised during a rally by Jadavpur University students, saying they do not support it and the entire student community of JU should not be blamed for such "irresponsible slogans".

"On February 15, the SFI along with other Left students wing had taken out a rally protesting against the police action inside JNU campus. On February 16, another rally was taken out by some students of JU. We had no connection with that rally. Few students had raised certain slogans. Neither the SFI nor the entire student community of JU can be blamed for these slogans," Students Federation of India (SFI) state secretary Debojyoti Das said in a statement.

"The SFI is always against terrorism, communalism and divisive forces. It is inappropriate to raise such slogans, which directly or indirectly support terrorism.

"Presently, there is a tendency to polarize the nation on the basis of radical nationalism and attempts are being made to malign the Left parties. In such a scenario such irresponsible statements will only strengthen the fascist forces and weaken the student's movement," the state secretary of the students wing of the CPI(M) said.

Slogans in favour of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru were raised yesterday at a rally brought out by Jadavpur University students to express solidarity with their JNU counterparts who are agitating against the arrest of their leader Kanhaiya Kumar for alleged sedition.

During the torch rally brought from JU campus to Gol Park in South Kolkata by students of all faculties of the university, slogans like "Afzal bole azadi, Geelani bole azadi" and "Cheenke ke lenge azadi" were raised.

Other slogans like "Freedom from RSS, freedom from Modi government", "Jab Kashmir ne maangi azadi, Manipur bhi boli azadi" were also raised.

The Centre today had sought a report from the West Bengal government regarding it.