Rohit Vemula is my icon, not Afzal Guru: Kanhaiya

He said Dalit researcher Rohith Vemula, who committed suicide in Hyderabad,  is his icon.

"Afzal Guru is not an icon for me, Rohit Vemula is my icon," said Kanhaiya at a press conference after his fiery speech last night.

He made his stand clear on his support for the cause of Rohit Vemula who committed suicide in Hyderabad University after alleged persecution by the varsity authority.

Kanhaiya was arrested after an event in the JNU campus where Afzal Guru's death anniversary was observed and anti-India slogans were allegedly raised.

He said Afzal Guru was a citizen of India and Jammu and Kashmir which is part of India and he was convicted by a court which also grant people right to have their own opinions.

To a question he said Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India.

He said he is not a political leader but a student and a student leader speaking on behalf of students.

He said he would always fight for rights but would not comment on the court case since it is sub judice.

He said no one has a patent on any people, like Ambedkar, and he does not see all things in only black and white.

Targeting the government, Kumar said, "We  will like to expose the conspiracy of those who act against the Constitution."
He said: "We have to stand up against the evil designs of people who are playing with our Constitution."

"There is a conspiracy to defame JNU and other educational institution," Kumar said.

Kumar said the JNU is the real 'voice' of the country.

Kumar said: "The sacrifice of our jawans and our farmers committing suicide and Rohith Vemula is not going to go in vain."

Kanhaiya Kumar  was arrested on sedition charges in February and was released from Tihar Jail on Thursday on an interim bail.