The PDP-BJP government on Sunday stopped more than 40 people, including Bollywood actor Anupam Kher and film-maker Ashok Pandit, from reaching the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here to support protesting outstation students.
The 61-year-old actor who has voiced concerns about the police action on students at the National Institute of Technology on Tuesday wanted to visit the campus.
Landed in Srinagar. ‘HOME’ away from home. Will go to #NITSrinagar & meet the students & give them a warm hug & a special gift.:)
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 10, 2016
But officials cited orders banning the large gatherings to prevent Mr Kher from visiting the campus.
I have been told by J&K police that I cannot enter Srinagar city at all. I have asked them to show me the orders. Still at the airport.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 10, 2016
Asked J&K Police if I can visit my ancestral home or Kheer Bhawani temple. Even that is not allowed. Basically it is #AirportArrest
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 10, 2016
Waiting for official orders to be shown to me. #Kashmir #NITSrinagar
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 10, 2016
Anupam Kher then tweeted to the NIT students:
Dear #NITSrinagar students: Your courage has been Loud & Clear. Now show victory with your exam results. I send you my love from d airport.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 10, 2016
Dear #NITSrinagar students: My Special gift for you.आज ख़ुद आपको देता। कोई बात नहीं, तिरंगा तो हमारे दिलों में है।:) pic.twitter.com/EItoaJvLuu
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) April 10, 2016
The NIT campus has been tense since policemen lathicharged student protesters on Tuesday evening after a clash at the institute’s main gates. Last week clashes had also broken out among local students and those from outside over the former celebrating India’s defeat in the World T20 semi-final match.
Two vehicles, including a bus, carrying supporters of the ‘Chalo NIT’ march organised by the BJP national secretary R.P. Singh, were stopped at Lakhanpur on Saturday night.
“Thirty to forty people were stopped in the night. On Sunday, two cars managed to enter Jammu city, but they were turned back,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.
Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, head of the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena who was involved in the Prashant Bhushan attack case, was also spotted and asked to return.
Reactions:
#kherblocked @AnupamPkher blocked coz he ws carrying Tricolor. Sir Kher,plz carry ISIS flag next Friday,u’ll b provided escorts by Liberals
— Vikas #noconversion (@VikasKr8685) April 11, 2016
If you wave a Pak flag or ISIS flag then J&K Police will see you as a hero but waving an Indian flag will make you criminal.WOW #KherBlocked
— Chandan Sadhu (@chandansadhu) April 11, 2016
#KherBlocked Kashmiri Pandits kicked out from Kashmir, NIT students beaten up,Kher blocked, is Kashmir in Pak or in India?
— K.K. Chaturvedi (@Chaturvedikk13) April 11, 2016
#KherBlocked coz hez not a sickular or a liberal n NIT is not JNU. Entry may only b allowed 2 sickulars who hate India n Bharat Mata ki Jai!
— Archie (@leavingliph) April 11, 2016
#KherBlocked Wow!Rahul Gandhi was allowed to go to JNU to meet traitors.But Kher was stopped bcoz he chose to visit nationalistic students.
— UTKARSH KUMAR SHAHI (@ukshahi) April 11, 2016
