Raghuram Rajan Slams Modi Government; Expresses Solidarity with JNU Students

Raghuram Rajan further expressed his appreciation for students gathering to protest all over the country as well as for Deepika Padukone for taking a difficult stand.

New Delhi| Former Governor of Reserve bank of India (RBI) and globally acknowledged economist, Raghuram Rajan, released a statement on the recent violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

He expressed his dismay over the series of event that took place in JNU. He stressed over the fact that despite the university being situated in a Capital city, which usually remains on high alert, the police and university administration remained on standby mode and didn’t intervene while the masked goons went on to unleash a rampage.

In an excerpt of his statement, he says, ‘In recent days, the news coming out of India has been worrisome. A gang of masked assailants broke into one of India’s leading universities, Jawaharlal Nehru University. They went on a rampage for hours, attacking students and faculty, entirely undisturbed by the police. While the identities of the attackers remain unclear, what is clear is that many of the attacked were activists, and neither the government-appointed administration nor the police intervened. And this was in a capital city where everyone is usually on high alert. When even elite universities become literal battlegrounds, accusations that the government is attempting to suppress dissent—even if by apathy rather than design—gain substantial credibility.’

He also tried to address citizens stating that it is easy to blame our government. After highlighting the responsibilities of being a citizen in a democracy, he went on to specify that people voted this government to power for the speeches their leaders delivered that inflamed our prejudices. He said that it was us, citizens, who voted for their divisive manifesto. He mentioned that some people feared the consequences of criticising the government as critics were ruthlessly made example of.

He further expressed his appreciation for students gathering to protest all over the country as well as for Deepika Padukone for taking a difficult stand.

‘Fortunately, the news from India has also been elevating. When young people of diverse faiths march together, Hindus and Muslims arm-in-arm behind our national flag, rejecting artificial divides stoked by political leaders for their own gain, they show that the spirit of our constitution still burns brightly. When officers of the administrative service resign their dream jobs because they do not believe they can serve in good faith, they are living testimony that the sacrifices made by the generations that got us freedom still inspire emulation. When an Election Commissioner carries out his duties impartially despite the harassment it brings upon his family, he asserts that integrity has not been completely cowed. When some members of the media work tirelessly to get the truth out even as their colleagues succumb to government pressure, they demonstrate what it means to be a dutiful citizen of the Republic. And when a Bollywood actress registers her silent protest by meeting with the victims of the attack on JNU, even though she puts attendance at her latest movie at risk, she inspires us all to take stock of what is truly at stake.’

Raghuram Rajan further expressed his solidarity with protesting students, calling them saviour of India that Mahatma Gandhi fought for. He also penned down the lines of Rabindranath Tagore- “into that heaven of freedom, My Father, let my country awake”. He said that students give us hope that Tagore’s dream will continue to be a reality.

He concluded his statement by remembering that this 26^th January marks the 70 years of the day when India gave itself a constitution. By remembering the leaders that drafted our constitution, he resolved to abide by the values entrusted in it and also appealed the citizens to do the same.