The protesters, including eminent academicians, shouted slogans of "Azaadi" (freedom), calling for a campus free of what they described as "gundagardi" (hooliganism). A large contingent of policemen and policewomen walked alongside the protesters. This morning, Gurmehar Kaur, the student who has alleged death threats over her posts against the ABVP, pulled out of the campaign saying she had taken "all she could".
In a series of tweets, Gurmehar Kaur appealed to others to join the march and wrote, "To anyone questioning my courage and bravery. I've shown more than enough".
The 20-year-old student of Lady Shri Ram College was trolled relentlessly and was threatened with rape and murder after she posted a message protesting against the ABVP or Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. "We are absolutely against the kind of threats Gurmehar's been getting. So, we have written a letter of complaint to the police, and we urge strict and swift action against those who issued the threat," said an ABVP spokesperson.
Yesterday, ABVP activists organised a 'Tiranga' (Tricolour) march against what they called "anti-national" activities by "left-leaning" students.
"Freedom of speech shouldn't be abused to incite anger against Akhand (undivided) Bharat," said ABVP leader Priyanka Chawri, alleging that her colleagues were attacked in last week's clashes.
Last Tuesday, ABVP activists allegedly thrashed students and teachers at Ramjas College for an invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid. Mr Khalid was charged with sedition last year over an on-campus event in which anti-national slogans were raised. "They call Umar Khalid despite knowing that it's a sensitive issue, they didn't care about sentiment of the majority," Ms Chawri said.
In clashes between two student groups a day later, more than a dozen were injured.
The row took a political twist with politicians taking sides. The Left, Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi have backed the students' protest.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who criticised Gurmehar Kaur's posts, stressed that "anti-national" acts cannot be condoned in the name of freedom of expression."The primary responsibility of students is to study. Please devote your time to studies...That will contribute to the country's growth, rather than spreading the poisonous ideology of leftists," Mr Rijiju told newsmen.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has come out strongly in support of Ms Kaur, met with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to demand action against "ABVP goondaism and rape threats" to the student.
The police have filed a complaint and are investigating Ms Kaur's allegations of threats.
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