India is a diverse country with different cultures, traditions, religions, tribes, social customs, philosophies & beliefs. It is hence perfectly natural that in such a vast Country each one will have different ideological beliefs and will think differently. Humans are not robots who are programmed to think only in one particular way or the other. Is it then right to brand someone as an anti-national or seditious simply because he represents a different set of philosophy that does not confirm with yours?
This is where I think the Government has got it wrong. Filing serious charges of sedition against JNU University students and jailing them is going overboard. Now Umar Khalid has been rustigated when Courts have found no evidence against him. Some sections of the media have already branded him as an anti-national & part of the "Tukde-tukde" gang out to destabilize India. Is this responsible reporting? Umar Khalid seems to be quite articulate and intelligent and is an excellent Orator. In his speeches he is quite convincing & makes good arguments. One may not agree with his political ideology but it is wrong to brand him as an anti-national because of that. There is no instrument to measure patriotism and those who we label as anti-nationals might just turn out to be more patriotic than you and me. A Government which criticises the Emergency must work that extra hard to protect our civil rights and freedoms. Debates and discussions need to be encouraged in a progressive thinking Country. Have different opinions, challenge ideas, have broader perspectives and whatever but don't hound the person. Regards Sandeep Heble