In an interview with the Times of India, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Prof M Jagadesh Kumar said that the largest JNUSU dharna managed to attract just around 200 to 300 students. Contrary to this claim, on Thursday the JNU Student Union (JNUSU) “solidarity meeting”  called to put pressure on the administration to find the 27-year-old missing student Najeeb Ahmed was attended by a crowd otf no less than 1,000.

The Administration Block, on November 3 evening, looked as packed as it did on February 9, during the height of the anti-nationalist fervour.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress party leaders Shashi Tharoor, Mani Shankar Aiyer, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Prakash Karat were among several politicians who joined the JNU community and Najeeb’s family in solidarity.

Kejriwal, along with his deputy Manish Sisodia, came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “Desh me ABVP ki, bhajpa ki gunda-gardi chalegi. (ABVP and BJP had got a free pass for hooliganism) said Kejriwal while pointing out that no action has been taken against members of the ABVP who had allegedly assaulted Najeeb.

He said that Delhi Police is a puppet at the hands of the Centre and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Kejriwal informed JNU students that he had already written a letter to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and would meet President Pranab Mukherjee once he is back in the country.

Urging the students to take the fight outside the JNU campus, and hold a dharna at India Gate Kejriwal said, “Prepare a team and collect the students from different universities and raise the voice against the injustices.” He concluded his speech with “Najeeb ek hi cheez se waapas aayega: people’s power. (Only one thing can bring back Najeeb: People’s Power.)”

Tharoor questioned why the campus was not searched immediately after Najeeb’s disappearance, “A serious investigation is sadly beyond what the Administration of the University can be entrusted with.”

He further added, “when a human being is missing, our concerns are for the person missing and the family, and all other concerns are secondary.” In the middle of his speech, Najeeb’s mother broke down.

KC Tyagi, a Rajya Sabha member opined that the prevailing situation is worse than under the Emergency. Aiyer said that ABVP is supported by forces from the outside. He seconded Kejriwal and said that law and order, which is the Centre’s responsibility, is lackadaisical.

Contradicting Kejriwal’s view on Najeeb’s identity, activist and CPI leader Annie Raja said that it is imperative to recognise Najeeb as a Muslim — considering the continued ghettoisation of the muslim community.

Most of the leaders were adamant that ABVP shouldn’t be allowed on campuses.

Earlier, JNUSU along with Teachers’ Association and Staff Association had submitted a memorandum to the VC, urging him to step up the investigation process and take actions against the perpetrators. However, according Satarupa Chakraborty, JNUSU General Secretary the vice chancellor had declined to accept the memorandum.

Initially even the permission to hold the meeting was denied by the administration. ABVP had allegedly tried to bar the gates in order to prevent the speakers from entering the campus.